MnDOT-ACEC/MN Annual Consultant Conference March 5, 2012

1. MnDOT-ACEC/MN Annual Consultant ConferenceMarch 5, 2012 Leveraging SUE Data for Utilities on Projects Tom Swafford- Utility Mapping Services, Inc.

2. What will be covered: Utility Challenges What is Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE)? Leveraging SUE data for: Designers Utilities Project Owners Contractors Excavators

3. My Experiences State Aid Precons Preparing for Region Utility Engineer Interview –SUE My First Phone call to Telecom as Region Utility Engineer Co Project “contractor is responsible for coordinating all utility relocations” State Utility Engineer- “Reasonable Notice Issues”

4. Utilities Best Practices 3 C’s of Project Utilities Efforts Communication (Early and Often) …and Coordination …result in…Cooperation Lessons learned from Design Build “…contractors must include utility companies in the project development process at the very beginning and make them active members of the team.”

5. Observations.… • Perception….. • Utility Company Incentives must be monetary….. • Reality….. • Showing a commitment to minimize utility relocations and efficient use of utility crews are highly recognized incentives.

6. What is SUE? • Engineering Process to manage risk utilities bring to the project • ASCE 38-02 “Standard Guideline for the Collection and Depiction of Existing Subsurface Utility Data” • Utility Information Quality Levels A,B,C,D • Utility Conflict Analysis • Utility Coordination

8. Nightmare-Unexpected encounter (SUE) Spaghetti Utility Engineering

9. Quality Level “D” The least reliable utility data- Great for Project Planning Purposes • Plotted on plans from records. • Sometimes a field visit - to look for utility indications on the site - is made. • Sometimes “verbal recollections” are plotted.

10. Quality Level “C”- Traditional utility depiction • Surface Appurtenances are surveyed and accurately plotted on a current site plan • Utility data from records (QL D) are correlated to the appurtenances

11. Quality Level “B” A significant upgrade in quality • Surface Geophysical Methods used to search for and trace existing utilities. • Designated utilities are then surveyed and plotted on site plan.

12. SUE Provider Typical Field Equipment Many different depiction and location tools are needed to attain Quality Level “B” on a project.

13. Quality Level “A” A guarantee in 3-D • Utilities exposed via non-destructive air-vacuum means • Exposed utilities are then surveyed and plotted on site plan • Elevations, Size, Condition, Materials, Precise Horizontal Positions are measured and documented

14. One-Call vs Quality A SUE One Call Marks do not suffice for design decisions

15. 2-14-2012 Whew!  I found it.  The Telecomduct run is actually where Bill thought it was, on the west side of the south bound bridge, so it is on the bridge that will remain in place.  It is definitely there, you can actually see into a small handhold area on the bridge just above the duct run (I got some photos of that).  I also got it located out all the way to the north end of the corridor.  It is not out by the street where one-call had it marked on the north side of the bridge, it is well over 50 feet west of the street, way back in the trees.  There is a phone manhole way back in that area that is a pain to find, but is the best access to the cables.  Anyway, it's done.

16. Project Development Process CCC often missing from PD Process

17. Utility Coordination Process

18. Leveraging SUE for Design • Perception… A utility conflict is identified when there is a “direct hit” Rural City Paver experience with waterline on Dike Road • Reality… Very often “indirect” utility conflicts are the cause of costly and time consuming construction field problems…Subgrade Compaction, temp sheeting, vibrations, unstable cast iron utility, utility staging, etc.

19. Project Plan View Conflict? 18” Drainage 30” Water

20. How deep is the water pipe? 30” Water ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

21. How deep is the water pipe? 30” Water

22. Utility Conflict Matrix

23. Cost Estimate Analysis

24. Leveraging SUE for Utilities • Observations Utilities’ initial reaction is wariness When they hear that they will be involved in design decisions they begin to warm After multiple meetings to coordinate best design scenario they are part of solution

25. Leveraging SUE for Contractors • Pre-proposal utility meeting on TH 610 • Shortlisted DB teams were ecstatic on having quality information to manage their utility risks on the project.

26. Leveraging SUE for Excavators • SR 77 UDOT Bridge piling experience • CRC Geotech experience in damaging sewer line during environmental investigation

27. Final Thoughts • SUE is a proven engineering practice and should be sized to project risks • Purdue University Study shows Average savings of $4.62 saved on every $1 spent on upgrading traditional Quality Level “D and/or “C” data to quality Level “B” and “A” data • Thank you- Tom Swafford