The relationship between the damage prevention industry and technology is deeply interconnected. Advancements in either field directly impact the other, and both evolve at a fast pace. The implementation of new technology within one-call centers, utility locating, GIS/GPS, imaging, utility mapping, and excavation is shaping how the industry prevents damages to underground infrastructure.
What technology do 811 call centers use today? Communication is the foundation of damage prevention, and one-call centers are at the center of that communication. The technology used in 811 call centers has expanded significantly over the years. Centers now use predictive analytics to forecast ticket volumes, risk assessment tools to flag high-risk excavations, direct digital communication channels with excavators, and positive response systems that provide excavators with status updates and ancillary information on completed locates.
These capabilities have moved one-call centers from simple message relay operations to data-driven hubs that actively support damage prevention outcomes.
Utility locators fill one of the most critical roles in damage prevention. While no technology replaces an experienced locator's judgment, detection equipment has advanced to give locators better tools for every field condition.
What are the latest advances in electromagnetic and GPR locating technology? Electromagnetic (EM) locating devices now offer signal distortion detection, ambient noise mitigation, and measured depth accuracy evaluation. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) continues to evolve in both hand cart and vehicle-mounted configurations, with current models integrating multiple frequencies and 3D radar tomography for more detailed subsurface imaging.
RFID markers and electronic white-lining are also being adopted as additional tools for improving locate accuracy and reducing the ambiguity that leads to utility strikes.
The GIS/GPS and imaging fields have seen significant expansion in what's available to damage prevention teams.
What GIS and GPS technologies are used in damage prevention today? Real-time kinematic (RTK) GPS, satellite imagery, ticket management platforms with integrated GIS data, asset visualization tools, and geofencing are all being used to improve locate accuracy, ticket screening, and field decision-making.
What imaging technologies support underground utility detection? The imaging toolkit now includes UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), land and aerial LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) surveys, synthetic aperture radar, aerial hyperspectral imaging, and thermal imaging. Each technology adds a layer of visibility into subsurface and surface conditions that field teams can use to reduce risk.
Damage prevention outcomes depend directly on accurate, accessible utility mapping data. The technology behind underground utility mapping has broadened considerably.
What tools improve underground utility mapping accuracy? Subsurface utility engineering (SUE), RTK/GNSS positioning, LIDAR scanning of exposed utilities, RFID markers, mapping vehicle carts, sensor fusion, and geospatial data collection and management platforms have all contributed to making the mapping process more reliable and the resulting data more precise.
Better mapping data feeds directly into better ticket screening, more accurate locates, and more informed field decisions. Every improvement in mapping accuracy reduces the probability of a damage.
Excavation processes have also advanced to support safer digging. What excavation technologies reduce the risk of utility damages? Current tools include vacuum excavation using air or water for non-destructive digging, GPS encroachment devices that alert operators to proximity to underground facilities, drill head sensors for horizontal directional boring, post-bore pull-back cameras, and slot trenching techniques.
Additionally, many underground utility stakeholders have begun recording detailed asset location data during maintenance digs, building more complete facility records over time. That data capture during routine work is one of the most practical ways to improve mapping accuracy without a dedicated survey effort.
Beyond current tools, several technology trends will continue to reshape damage prevention in the years ahead.
How will machine learning and data analytics improve damage prevention? Machine learning and advanced analytics technologies are already being applied to identify high-risk 811 tickets and provide utilities, locators, and excavators with better information at the point of decision. As these models are trained on larger datasets, their ability to predict damage probability and prioritize interventions will improve.
How does 5G and cloud computing affect damage prevention field operations? The expansion of 5G networks allows mobile devices to access data faster and at higher resolution, improving field access to GIS data, ticket information, and real-time communication tools. Cloud computing enhances the speed, reliability, and scalability of damage prevention software platforms, supporting the increasing data volumes the industry generates. Agile development practices allow software vendors to respond to customer needs faster, delivering more responsive and flexible products.
Technology is an essential component of how the damage prevention industry protects underground infrastructure. The integration of advanced tools across one-call centers, locating, mapping, GIS, and excavation has measurably improved damage prevention outcomes. As these technologies continue to evolve, the tools available to every stakeholder in the process will become more capable, more accessible, and more effective at reducing damages.
KorTerra is the leading provider of damage prevention software, protecting billions of dollars in underground infrastructure. For over 30 years, the leading stakeholders in gas distribution, pipeline operation, telecommunications, electric distribution, contract locating, and city, county, and state governments have trusted KorTerra as their damage prevention solution. KorTerra helps mitigate risk and ensure the safety of field personnel by providing secure software platforms for processing 811 locate tickets, tracking and reporting asset damages, meeting regulatory compliance, and more. Explore additional solutions at korterra.com and follow KorTerra on LinkedIn.
Media Contact:
Paige Nygaard – KorTerra, Inc.
952.368.1911
marketing@korterra.com