Published: 15 March 2005
Common Ground for Underground
A report published by utility experts is calling for a standard approach to the way buried services - pipes, cables and other underground infrastructure - are located and recorded.
The Geospatial Engineering Board Buried Services working group (BSWG) was set up to examine the current status of buried services and how a common framework could be beneficial.
The group consisted of industry experts, including members from the Institution of Civil Engineers, Ordnance Survey, local authorities and UK Water Industry Research.
Over the years an increasing amount of pipes, cables, and wires have been added to the buried services infrastructure, but these different assets have been recorded in a variety of ways.
In some cases the precise locations of services installed in the past may be difficult to reference now, despite the best efforts of utility companies.
Paper-based documentation is usually given as a relative position, for example 'gas main in London Road, 6 ft from the kerb', but on the map or database is the information accurately positioned? Is it a record of an actual main or an intended one? Who is responsible for it?
Marc Hobell, Strategic Development Manager at Ordnance Survey, comments:
"At present there are regulations and Codes of Practice (CoP) to guide those seeking and those providing positional information. But they do not necessarily specify how the information should be presented.
Although legislation does exist some utility companies and other interested parties have voiced concerns that there can be confusion when it comes to locating and coordinating buried services.
One of the objectives of the Traffic Management Act 2004 is to tighten these areas and give greater clarity."
The BSWG has now produced a report, with key goals for utilities and those with interests in buried services.
The first is that a common framework should be established, with all geospatial data recorded using the Digital National Framework (DNF) system.
The DNF is an ideal tool as it is referenced to both national grid mapping references and the National GPS Network, which generates all coordinates using the same datum to provide a consistent method of identifying and reusing geographical information.
Common encoding standards enable users to reference their own geospatial content to a definitive geographic base. All information can then be recorded within the geographical information system (GIS).
This enables buried apparatus to be identified and catalogued (for example, listed as a water main), and referenced to the responsible body (with emergency contact details).
Locational data can also be recorded to an absolute accuracy. This data then works with related datasets to ensure interoperability, consistency and internal integrity.
The BSWG also recommended that:
- all new installations or replacements should be recorded three-dimensionally rather than two-dimensionally within three years (also recommended in the Traffic Management Act);
- that a specialist dedicated champion for the continued development of a common framework must be established; and
- that transferable recorded data should identify the top of the buried item.
There is strong support for a coordinated, more clearly defined specification on the position of all buried apparatus. Not only are utility companies and highways authorities interested but so are municipal engineers, emergency services and other specialist groups.
Martin Cullen, Chairman of ICE's Buried Services Working Group, says:
"The Buried Services Working Group was formed with the single objective of providing this report.
With the advancements in technology it would be reasonable to acknowledge that means and methods of gathering information and the recording methods will be constantly changing.
The first steps have been made towards a more coordinated approach. But a continuing effort is needed to carry forward the aim of achieving a common framework for the benefit of everyone."
Further information
Ordnance Survey
BSWG report
Traffic Management Act 2004
Digital National Framework (DNF) system
National GPS Network
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