Industry problem
The underground utility industry is still plagued with damages and is dependent on pipe and cable locating technologies introduced more than 30 years ago. The locate process has not changed since its inception – the field tech receives ticket information, travels to dig zones area, locates and marks, and then processes the next ticket. Although a few companies are able to monitor the ‘windshield time’ or travel time of the locator, critical information and data is missing regarding the process and quality of the field tech’s locate technique and procedure.
Traditionally, every field technician is required to complete an initial training program before deployment for locate work in the field. It may take months before a locator knows what a ‘good locate’ feels like, and there’s no true way to reinforce it. Once the field tech has graduated from the classroom environment, the asset owner has no way of assuring the quality of performance on real-world locates.
Successful pipe and cable location requires the field technician to interpret complex electromagnetic fields and interference-filled environments. The asset owner or contractor has no confirmation or QA of the work performed by the locator. Additionally, in the event of an asset damage, field techs have no protection, even if best practice was followed. Without a real solution to this problem, there will continue to be no accountability for locate work in the field and the reduction of asset damages will fail to improve, costing companies millions per year and potentially putting lives at risk.