Buried Asset Buffer Zone Generation Using Precision Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting and marking buried assets during excavation are inefficient, leading to inaccurate data and costly damages, particularly in urban areas, and result in unnecessary dispatches of field technicians due to incomplete or inaccurate map records.
Innovation Solution
A method on a computing device that defines a buffer zone around buried assets using geographical coordinates and precision data values, generating a two-dimensional or three-dimensional area to accurately determine if an excavation zone intersects with the buffer zone, thereby reducing the need for unnecessary site visits and improving data accuracy for field technicians.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If field technicians are dispatched to physically locate and mark buried assets for every excavation request, then accurate buried asset position data can be obtained, but time and capital are wasted on unnecessary dispatches when the excavation area is not within proximity of buried assets
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary automated analysis of excavation requests against map records and precision data values before dispatching field technicians. Buffer zones are pre-calculated around buried assets using precision data, allowing the system to determine in advance whether a dispatch is necessary, thus eliminating wasteful trips while maintaining accurate detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
An automated computer-based system acts as an intermediary between excavation requests and field technician dispatches. This intermediary analyzes the spatial relationship between proposed excavation zones and buried assets using precision data values, filtering out false dispatch requests before human technicians are involved
2Reliability
If field technicians are dispatched to physically locate and mark buried assets for every excavation request, then complete buried asset detection can be ensured, but substantial capital is wasted on unnecessary dispatches
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary automated screening of excavation requests using stored map records and precision data values before field technicians are deployed. Buffer zones are pre-established around buried assets, allowing the system to confidently determine when no detection is needed, thus preserving capital while maintaining detection reliability when actually required
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system performs self-service by analyzing excavation requests against its own stored precision data and map records. This self-analysis capability allows the system to autonomously filter out false dispatch requests, reducing capital waste while maintaining the reliability of buried asset detection through automated decision-making
3Ease of operation
If only paint markers and flags are used to mark buried asset positions, then the clearance procedure is simple and quick, but excavators lack accurate data for excavation decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from two-dimensional surface markers (paint and flags) to three-dimensional spatial data representation. Precision data values create buffer zones that extend vertically and radially around buried assets, providing excavators with volumetric awareness rather than just surface-level marker information, thus improving decision-making without complicating the surface marking process
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the buried asset location data with precision values, stored in computer memory. This digital replica provides excavators with accurate spatial information for planning, while the physical markers remain simple. The digital copy preserves complete information without requiring complex physical marking systems
Data Source
AI summary
A method on a computing device for defining a buffer zone around a buried asset at an above-surface location is provided that solves the above-described problems. The method includes receiving and storing buried asset data points, wherein each buried asset data point comprises a geographical coordinate and a precision data value corresponding to the geographical coordinate, for a buried asset, wherein the buried asset data points correspond to signals that were detected and read from the buried asset at the above-surface location. The method further includes generating a two dimensional area comprising a buffer zone by defining circles around geographical coordinates of the buried asset data points, wherein a size of each circle is based on the precision data value of the corresponding buried asset data point, and defining trapezoids that connect adjacent circles.