Written by Raiana Kelly
As urbanization and infrastructure development continue to accelerate, pinpointing the precise location of our subsurface and above-ground assets is more critical than ever. In the past, utility professionals relied on outdated and often inaccurate data gathered through "pen and paper" methods. This resulted in errors, costly damage to underground assets, and slower response times to emergencies. While some utility professionals still use these traditional methods with varying degrees of success, it's clear that geospatial technology in utility and resource mapping is not going anywhere. By improving project planning, lowering costs, enhancing efficiency, and increasing safety, GPS (Global Positioning System) mapping opens the door to data-driven decision-making.
GPS and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers communicate with satellites to deliver highly accurate positioning. When these tools are combined with advanced correction services and underground locators, utility professionals can achieve up to centimeter precision. While not every utility professional needs centimeter accuracy, there's no doubt that increased precision is critical in determining the location of both above-ground and subsurface assets, significantly reducing the risk of damage during excavation and allowing utility professionals to plan their projects correctly the first time.
“We have five Engineering Coordinators, one at each district office, and one Engineer. These [GNSS] units are used by all GPS work orders for mapping. In addition, the Asteri X3 allows us to use these units to stake larger jobs more precisely and without additional help. These [Asteri GNSS receivers] are also used to stake/map subdivisions, TDOT projects, and any other surveying that may be necessary” said Josh Kennedy with Southwest Tennessee EMC.
Accurate location data allows engineers to streamline their project designs and layouts to reduce the likelihood of damaging existing infrastructure, identify safety hazards to avoid accidents, and minimize costly rework. In the 2022 DIRT Report from Common Ground Alliance, it was determined that as often as 56% of the time, excavation work is delayed due to inaccurate subsurface data making it illegal for excavation to occur.
The 2023 DIRT Report acknowledged that using GPS technology reduces damage and results in better asset management across the industry; their recommendation is that facility owners "invest in GPS-enabled locating devices and develop a protocol for locators to update facility maps in the field." GPS technology equips utility professionals with the data they need to plan with confidence, save time, and reduce costs.
Better project planning and management provided by accurate mapping data results in reduced manpower and significant operational cost savings. Avoiding damage means that each project has less downtime and disruption, fewer accidents, and lower labor costs associated with repairs and time-consuming data collection. Overall, each project that uses GPS technology results in more cost-effective and efficient project execution.
Power outages, gas line and water line ruptures, and other jobsite accidents can have severe consequences for utility professionals and the surrounding community. Precise mapping can help prevent these accidents and even identify potentially hazardous areas before work begins, allowing project managers to design safer routes or implement precautionary measures to keep their team safe.
Accurate data is a crucial element in emergency response time. The catastrophic flooding and destruction from Hurricane Helene in 2024 damaged thousands of miles of power lines across the southeastern states of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. GPS mapping technology was in part responsible for identifying the precise location of damage, allowing repair crews to be dispatched quickly and return power, water, and other resources necessary for survival to the thousands of affected families, homes, and businesses.
When Hurricane Helene hit Lenoir, North Carolina and the surrounding area, Blue Ridge Energy was one of many cooperatives to respond to the disaster. It’s estimated that 80% of their 8,500 miles of power lines were damaged, leaving tens of thousands of their members without power. Blue Ridge Energy utilized helicopters and drones to fully assess the damage and Asteri GNSS receivers as part of their solution to restore power.
“In a time of crisis, it was great to have reliable GNSS devices to help us collect points quickly and accurately so that our focus could remain on restoring power in a timely manner for our members. We are thankful for the support that we received from Tri-Global and all the other organizations that came to our aid in our time of need” said Caleb Mooney, Energy Intelligence Analyst with Blue Ridge Energy.
Data-driven decision making is a game-changer across industries, and the utility industry is no exception. By integrating GPS data with GIS (Geographic Information Systems), utility providers gain valuable insights that enable them to perform regular maintenance, apply necessary upgrades, and scale their system with precision. This approach not only enhances operation performance but also facilitates long-term planning and sustainability.
Incorporating GPS utility mapping into the everyday operations of utility companies is no longer just an option but an essential step toward improving accuracy, efficiency, and safety. The precise location data it provides eliminates the guesswork and empowers professionals to make better decisions, reduce costs, and ensure the smooth running of our critical infrastructure. As cities grow and infrastructure demands increase, GPS mapping is poised to continue to reshape the way we manage underground assets and plan for the future.
Tri-Global Technologies has been a trusted GNSS provider for decades. We have seen first hand the impact GPS technology has had on the workflow of every client. Dave Hart, President of Municipal Service Group, is one long-time client whose operations have evolved from pen and paper methods to geospatial data collection.
“Tri-Global and the Asteri equipment has completely changed our business model for construction inspection and data collection. Prior to working with Tri-Global, we would field measure by hand all improvements and then hand-draw our as-builts. Now, with the Asteri units and Orbitas software, we employ our CAD technicians to develop extremely accurate as-built drawings” said Hart.
If you’re interested in learning more about how GPS technology can streamline your operations, Tri-Global Technologies has experts with decades of experience ready to help.
RECOMMENDED READING → How it Works: GPS, GNSS, RTK, and PPP [2025 Guide]
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