GIS Utility Data Fusion for Excavation Damage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for protecting utility assets during construction activities lack precision in locating and correlating GIS data, leading to potential damage due to varying accuracy levels across different databases and devices, which can result in inadequate risk assessment and decision-making.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that aggregates and fuses utility infrastructure data from multiple sources into a single view, providing correlated optimum accuracy and confidence levels, enabling precise identification of buried assets and automatic notification to responsible parties, while accounting for different accuracy requirements and data sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If data from multiple GIS sources with varying accuracy levels are integrated, then comprehensive coverage of utility assets is achieved, but the reliability of location data deteriorates due to inconsistent accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive coverageVSAvoidreliability of location data

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system transforms varying accuracy parameters into a unified accuracy model by calculating a combined accuracy value that incorporates individual data source accuracies. This allows different accuracy levels to be integrated while maintaining reliable location information through mathematical aggregation of accuracy parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary accuracy model that mediates between multiple data sources with different accuracy levels. This intermediary layer processes and reconciles the varying accuracy information to produce a unified accuracy assessment, enabling reliable integration without direct conflict between sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If temporary marking methods are used for utility assets, then ease of operation during construction is improved, but measurement precision of asset locations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidprecision of asset location

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual temporary marking methods with an automated electronic notification system that uses GPS coordinates and digital communication. This substitution eliminates the need for physical marks while maintaining precise location identification through electronic data transmission and processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service operation by automatically detecting excavation projects, querying utility asset databases, calculating accuracy models, and sending notifications without requiring manual intervention. This automation maintains high measurement precision while significantly improving operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If manual location recording methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of utility asset locations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidprecision of location data

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a universal multi-functional platform that handles data collection, accuracy calculation, asset identification, and notification through a single integrated system. This universal approach maintains low device complexity while achieving high measurement precision through comprehensive functional integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If buffer zones are applied to utility asset locations, then reliability of damage prevention is improved, but the area requiring protection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of damage preventionVSAvoidarea requiring protection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts buffer zone parameters based on the calculated accuracy model. By varying buffer dimensions according to data accuracy levels and asset importance, the system maintains high reliability for critical assets while minimizing protected area for less critical ones, optimizing the balance between protection and area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10671650B2System and method for integration and correlation of GIS data

Publication Date: 2020.06.02 PROSTAR GEOCORP INC

AI summary

System and method for damage avoidance in an excavation area include: receiving an excavation area and an excavation depth; accessing a database of a plurality of utility assets to identify a buried utility asset within the excavation area and the excavation depth; retrieving information from the database for the identified buried utility asset; fusing the buffer zone associated with the buried utility asset and the depth of the buried utility asset to obtain a latitude buffer zone for the buried utility asset; comparing the latitude buffer zone for the buried utility asset and the excavation depth; identifying a party responsible for the buried utility asset; and automatically transmitting an electronic notification to the party responsible for the buried utility asset.