Turn off your lights. Now go to your kitchen, and in the pitch dark, try to make a cup of coffee. Try to cook dinner. You may have a general idea of where everything is, and sure, you may be able to get the water in the pot, but chances are that without proper vision, something is bound to break before you’re done. Working on a construction site without the proper subsurface data is a lot like trying to cook dinner in the dark, and both of those could end up with a house on fire. 

The construction industry has always been a complex and challenging field, with plenty of factors to consider and obstacles to overcome. One of the key challenges faced by construction professionals is navigating the underground utilities that lie beneath the surface of construction sites. Without proper mapping and understanding of these utilities, construction projects can face delays, safety hazards, and costly damages. This is where GPS utility mapping comes into play, and where SiteMap® (patent pending) powered by GPRS, excels. 

GPRS has an unheard of 99.8% accuracy rating across 500,000 jobs across the nation. Using advanced machinery and practices, such as advanced GPR technology, EM locating, CCTV pipe inspection, and more, GPRS is able to accurately map the world above and below. This information is crucial for effective project planning, design, and execution.

Understanding the Benefits of GPS Utility Mapping

Knowledge

The benefits of GPS utility mapping in the construction industry are numerous and far-reaching. Firstly, it provides construction professionals with accurate and up-to-date information about the location of underground utilities. This knowledge allows them to make informed decisions during the design and planning stages of a project, minimizing the risk of clashes or conflicts with existing utilities. Considering that there are over 800,000 miles of public sewers and 500,000 miles of private lateral sewers connecting private property to public sewer lines in the U.S, it’s crucial to understand what’s happening both below and above the surface.  

Safety

Secondly, GPS utility mapping improves safety on construction sites. By having a clear understanding of the location and depth of underground utilities, construction workers can avoid accidental damage to these essential systems. This not only protects the workers but also prevents disruptions to the surrounding community’s access to services such as water, electricity, and gas. The 2022 DIRT Report has stated a three-year trend of increases in utility strikes. The 2021 Report wasn’t any kinder, citing excavators as a leading cause of utility strikes. The report says that professional excavators have a high awareness of 811, yet they are responsible for 60% of the damages because they fail to notify 811.

The proof is in the pudding, and it shows that the construction industry has a lot to worry about, as it isn’t just the lead in emissions, with 40% of global emissions coming from the construction industry, but also is leading in utility strikes as well. This places a large burden of responsibility on the shoulders of project managers everywhere. 

Productivity

Additionally, GPS utility mapping enhances efficiency and productivity in construction projects. With accurate information about the location of utilities, construction professionals can optimize the layout and design of their projects, avoiding costly rework and ensuring smooth progress. This leads to faster project completion times and increased client satisfaction. According to the 2022 DIRT Report, as often as 56% of the time, excavators cannot legally begin work on their start date due to subsurface data delays and similar issues. 

Challenges of Navigating Underground Utilities Without Proper Mapping

Before the advent of GPS utility mapping, construction professionals relied on outdated and often incomplete paper maps or verbal instructions to navigate the underground utilities. This approach was prone to errors and resulted in numerous challenges. Unfortunately, many are still relying on these outdated practices today. There’s always someone on a construction site who swears they know the land better than anyone or anything. There’s also plenty of outdated and inaccurate subsurface utility information.  Why take the risk of being wrong when GPRS and SiteMap® have a 99.8% chance of being right?

Accidental Damages

One of the main challenges is the risk of accidental damage to underground utilities. Without accurate mapping, construction workers often encounter unexpected utilities while excavating, leading to accidental strikes that could cause significant disruptions and delays. Additionally, the lack of precise information about the depth and layout of utilities means that construction projects have to proceed with caution, resulting in slower progress and increased costs. This is a common issue among companies that use outdated systems or trust misinformed sources. 

Utility Conflict

Another challenge common among those without accurate utility data is the potential conflicts between different utilities. Without a clear understanding of their location and proximity, construction professionals often encounter clashes between existing utilities and their new installations. This would require costly and time-consuming redesigns to avoid conflicts, further delaying the project and increasing costs. SiteMap® allows for subsurface data to be aggregated, searchable, labeled, and easy to view. This means toggling between different utilities, and different updates, is easier than ever before. 

How GPS Utility Mapping Enhances Innovation in Construction Projects

GPS utility mapping is a game-changer for the construction industry, offering numerous opportunities for innovation and advancement. By providing construction professionals with accurate and detailed information about underground utilities, GPS utility mapping enables them to explore new possibilities and push the boundaries of what is possible in construction projects. SiteMap® takes this technology and makes it visible and easy to use, backed by the amazing power and technology of GPRS. 

Design and Planning 

GPS utility mapping and SiteMap® enhance innovation in the design phase of construction projects and urban planning. With precise information about the location and depth of utilities, architects and engineers can create more innovative and efficient designs. They can explore new construction methods, such as trenchless technologies, that minimize the need for excavation and reduce disruptions to existing utilities. This opens up new possibilities for sustainable and environmentally friendly construction practices. As the world grows, the need for smart options in our smart cities is becoming more and more prevalent. SiteMap® makes viewing and sharing your subsurface data as simple as clicking a button. 

BIM and Visualization

With the use of BIM modeling and other similar technologies, getting a complete picture of the site is easy. This helps properly plan and execute construction projects, right down to the smallest details. When you can accurately visualize something, it gets a lot easier to do. GPRS provides complimentary KMZ and PDF maps with every utility locate performed. The skilled Mapping & Modeling Team can create anything from a simple GPS-enabled locating map of your utility locate, to highly detailed 2D CAD drawings and 3D BIM models, depending on your needs.

All data, maps, and models are quickly delivered via file sharing platforms and the comprehensive infrastructure data platform, SiteMap®.

The Role of SiteMap® in GPS Utility Mapping

SiteMap® is a leading provider of GPS utility mapping solutions, offering innovative technologies and services to the construction industry. SiteMap’s solutions enable construction professionals to accurately map, document, and visualize underground utilities. Backed by GPRS, the data within SiteMap® is accurate, and is even updated often just within five minutes of GPRS locate completion. 

GPRS advanced data collection measures capture precise location data, while SiteMap® processes and analyzes this data to create detailed maps and models. These maps can be accessed through the user-friendly interface, allowing construction professionals to easily navigate and explore the underground utilities. Your data is mapped, visualized, aggregated, tagged, and is easily searchable and shareable. Using SiteMap® is straightforward and requires no extra training to do. Additionally, SiteMap’s solutions can integrate with other software and systems if needed, enabling seamless data exchange and collaboration.

How SiteMap® Enhances Innovation in Construction

SiteMap’s utility mapping solutions enhance innovation in construction by providing construction professionals with the tools and information they need to push the boundaries of what is possible. By accurately mapping and visualizing underground utilities, SiteMap® enables architects, engineers, and construction teams to explore new design possibilities and construction methods.

With SiteMap’s solutions, construction professionals can confidently plan, design, and execute their projects, knowing that they have accurate and up-to-date information about the location of utilities. This allows them to optimize their designs, improve safety, and increase efficiency. Additionally, SiteMap® further enhances innovation by enabling better coordination and collaboration between different stakeholders and team members. 

Why use SiteMap®?

If you are having issues in any of the following areas, SiteMap® can help.

• Record drawings stored in multiple locations
• Unorganized plan rooms/document control rooms
• Complicated gis systems
• Inaccurate record drawings and as-builts
• Poor pre-planning due to lack of accurate information
• Utility damages when excavating

The Future Of GPS Utility Mapping 

As technology continues to advance, the future of GPS utility mapping in the construction industry looks promising. The integration of proper utility mapping with other emerging technologies, such as drones and augmented reality, holds great potential for further enhancing innovation in construction.

Drone Technology 

Drones equipped with GPS receivers and advanced imaging sensors can capture high-resolution aerial images or 3D LiDAR laser scans of construction sites, allowing for more accurate mapping of underground utilities. This can significantly reduce the time and cost required for traditional surveying methods. Augmented reality technologies can overlay GPS utility mapping data onto the real-world construction site, providing construction professionals with real-time, contextual information about the location and layout of utilities.

GPRS offer photogrammetry, aerial video and images, LiDAR scans, 2D orthomosaic images and CAD drawings, 3D images, and models, and full 3D fly throughs thanks to state-of-the-art drone technology operated by FAA Licensed pilots, and deliverables created by our team of design experts.

APPLICATIONS OF DRONE IMAGERY

• Urban Planning and Land Management – digital surface and terrain models
• Construction – as-built surveys reduce the need to physically access job sites
• Engineering – from measuring cut and fill volumes, to inspecting crucial infrastructure
• Mining and Quarries – collecting accurate data boosts productivity through improved inventory management and planning
• BIM – data can be used to generate highly detailed and accurate 3D models
• Energy and Infrastructure – inspect linear assets such as pipelines, powerlines, rail routes and waterways

3D Laser Scanning

3D laser scanning allows you to capture complete as-builts in a fraction of the time of hand measuring, with 2-4 mm accuracy. In most cases GPRS Project Managers can scan a project in a day or two and the design team can quickly interpret that data into the maps, models, and drawings you need. This allows you to assess any location with precision and confidently execute your vision in days instead of weeks or months, while further reducing costs by cutting down on inaccuracies and mistakes.

GPRS’ elite design team will package your maps & models to suit your needs – from raw point cloud data to a fully rendered 3D BIM model – to ensure you have all the information you need to get the job done right, delivered in formats that make them instantly understandable and easy to communicate.

GPRS CUSTOMIZED 3D LASER SCANNING SOLUTIONS INCLUDE:

• Point Cloud Creation
• As-builts
• 3D BIM Modeling
• Clash Detection & Prefabrication
• Mixed Reality Development Models
• Above & Below Ground Data Capture

SiteMap® is revolutionizing the construction industry by providing construction professionals with accurate, up-to-date information about underground utilities. It enhances innovation by enabling new design possibilities, improving safety, and increasing efficiency. SiteMap®, with its advanced GPS utility mapping solutions powered by GPRS, plays a crucial role in the construction industry transformation. The future of GPS utility mapping holds great potential for further advancements and its impact on the construction industry will continue to grow. You don’t have to make an omelet in the dark, and you don’t have to start a project without accurate subsurface data. Don’t light a house on fire, call SiteMap® instead. 

 Contact SiteMap® today to learn more about how their solutions can enhance your construction projects.