When you think about construction, excavation, or infrastructure upgrades, what often lies unseen is as important as what’s visible. Beneath streets, sidewalks, lawns, and buildings is a growing maze of water mains, gas pipes, fiber optic lines, electrical cables, and telecommunications conduits. As urban areas densify and demand for services increases, the costs and risks of damaging underground utilities also rise. That’s why technology is no longer optional; it’s essential. For ACS Underground, staying at the forefront of utility locating means greater safety, accuracy, speed, and cost-effectiveness for clients across New Jersey and the surrounding region.
Below, we’ll examine how technology is reshaping utility locating, what trends are emerging, why they matter to you, and what to expect in the near future.
What Is Utility Locating?
Utility locating is the process of identifying and mapping underground infrastructure—pipes, cables, conduits, storage tanks, etc.—before any excavation, construction, or digging takes place. It helps ensure safety, regulatory compliance, protects expensive underground assets, avoids service disruption, and limits unexpected costs. Traditional tools like electromagnetic locators, survey stakes, or relying on public records are still used—but they’re increasingly being supplemented or replaced by advanced technology.
Key Technologies Reshaping Utility Locating
Here are the technologies pushing utility locating into the future—many of which ACS Underground has experience with or is adopting and integrating—explained in plain text without any charts or tables.
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
What it does: Sends radio waves into the ground and measures reflections to detect objects or changes in material. Useful for finding both metallic and non-metallic utilities, voids, and anomalies.
Advantages: Non-invasive; effective across many soil types; helps locate pipes, cables, and structures not shown on records; reduces surprises during excavation.
Limitations: Performance drops in wet clay/high-conductivity soils; requires skilled operators and interpretation; equipment and surveys can be more costly.
Electromagnetic & Electromagnetic Induction (EM/EMI) Locators
What they do: Detect electromagnetic fields from current-carrying or conductive utilities; use transmitters/receivers to trace cables and metal pipes.
Advantages: Highly effective on metallic utilities; quick in many field conditions; mature, proven, and cost-efficient.
Limitations: Not effective on non-metallic lines (PVC, plastic) unless tracer wires are present; results can be impacted by interference and soil conductivity.
GIS / GPS Mapping & Data Integration
What it does: Captures precise GPS locations and integrates them into GIS so maps are accurate, shareable, and easy to update; blends survey data, record maps, and site scans.
Advantages: Better planning and coordination; reduces risk from outdated maps; improves collaboration among contractors, municipalities, and utility owners; enables 3D/digital mapping.
Limitations: Requires reliable equipment and accurate field methods; environmental factors can affect GPS accuracy; ongoing data management and skilled staff are essential.
3D Utility Mapping & Modeling
What it does: Builds three-dimensional models of subsurface utilities to visualize depths, alignments, and potential conflicts.
Advantages: Clear visualization for decision-making; helps avoid clashes between new work and existing lines; valuable on complex urban projects.
Limitations: More complex data capture and processing; potentially higher cost; quality depends on sensor resolution and operator expertise.
Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
What it does: Analyzes large datasets (GPR scans, historical maps, survey data) to detect utility signatures, anomalies, and predict conflicts or failures.
Advantages: Speeds up interpretation; improves pattern recognition; reduces human error; supports predictive maintenance; assists less-experienced technicians.
Limitations: Needs high-quality training data; risk of false positives/negatives; data gaps remain; outputs must be validated; regulatory acceptance may lag.
Robotics, Drones, and Automated Systems
What they do: Use autonomous or semi-autonomous platforms (robots with GPR, LiDAR, imaging) and drones for aerial or hard-to-reach surveys; include vacuum excavation (potholing) for physical verification.
Advantages: Cover large or hazardous areas quickly; reduce human risk; improve consistency; access difficult locations; enhance safety and minimize disruption.
Limitations: Specialized equipment and maintenance costs; regulatory/safety constraints (e.g., drone operations); trained operators required; sometimes limited by site conditions.
Real-Time Monitoring / Internet of Things (IoT)
What it does: Embeds sensors on or near utilities to monitor vibration, stress, temperature, and leaks; sends proactive alerts and integrates with GIS for ongoing oversight.
Advantages: Prevents surprises; identifies issues before they escalate; improves safety and uptime; aligns with smart-city initiatives.
Limitations: Requires upfront investment and long-term maintenance; generates large data streams to manage; potential privacy/regulatory considerations in some settings.
Why These Technologies Matter — For You & Your Project
- Reduced Risk & Increased Safety
Mistakes in utility locating can cause serious hazards: gas line ruptures, water main breaks, electrical dangers, and fiber outages. Technology improves accuracy and reduces the chance of accidents or injuries. - Lower Costs Over Time
While GPR, robotics, or AI-assisted tools can cost more upfront than simpler equipment, they save money by avoiding utility strikes, rework, delays, and potential fines. Combining methods (e.g., GPR + EM) further reduces unexpected costs. - Faster Project Timelines
Advanced locating methods deliver accurate maps quickly, support better planning, and reduce time spent probing or excavating to identify what’s underground. Digital mapping and real-time tools help avoid delays. - Better Decision Making & Planning
3D models, GIS maps, and integrated data provide a comprehensive subsurface picture, improving design decisions, reducing conflicts, and lowering permitting risk. - Regulatory Compliance & Liability Protection
Stricter rules increasingly require detailed locating, documentation, and safe excavation practices. Advanced technology helps meet or exceed standards and demonstrate due diligence. - Preservation of Property & Minimal Disruption
Non-invasive methods like GPR or vacuum excavation (potholing) minimize damage to landscaping, surfaces, and pavement—especially valuable in urban settings.
Emerging Trends & What to Expect
What’s coming next in utility locating? Here are several trends gaining momentum that ACS Underground is preparing for—and that clients should know about.
- Hybrid / Multi-Method Locating: Using two or more technologies together (e.g., GPR + EM; GPR + test potholing) to cross-validate results for higher confidence and fewer misses.
- Better Data Analytics & Predictive Tools: Applying AI/ML not only to interpret scans but also to predict failures and detect anomalies before they escalate.
- Real-time Field Data & Cloud Integration: Uploading field data directly to cloud/GIS platforms so teams and stakeholders can access current maps and scan results remotely.
- Higher-Resolution GPR and Sensors: Improved antennas, deeper penetration, and clearer signal processing for detecting non-metal pipes, small features, and voids.
- Robotics and Automation: Ground robots and drones carrying sensors to handle hazardous or hard-to-reach areas and automate repetitive scanning tasks.
- Enhanced Regulatory Standards / Quality Levels: Increasing expectations for precision (horizontal and vertical) and documentation; Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) levels becoming more routine.
- Environmental & Sustainability Considerations: Emphasis on non-destructive methods, reduced carbon footprint, and preserving natural features.
- Smart Utilities & IoT Monitoring: More utilities with built-in sensors to detect leaks, shifts, or other changes, feeding maintenance plans and rapid response.
Challenges & Why Technology Isn’t a Magic Bullet
Even the latest technology has limits. Knowing them sets realistic expectations and helps you choose providers wisely.
- Soil & Ground Conditions: Wet clay, saturated or highly conductive soils, and rocky ground can degrade signals (especially for GPR) and reduce reliability.
- Data Interpretation: Raw GPR and EM data require expert interpretation. False positives/negatives can occur, and misreads can be costly.
- Cost & Access to Technology: Advanced equipment, software, robotics, and AI require investment. Smaller projects may struggle to justify upfront costs.
- Regulatory Hurdles & Standards: Rules differ by municipality. Some jurisdictions don’t yet accept certain technologies or have strict permitting for drones/robotics.
- Maintenance & Training: Equipment and software need calibration, updates, and skilled operators. Poor operation reduces accuracy.
- Record Inaccuracy or Gaps: Old or missing utility records persist, and some utilities are undocumented or abandoned, complicating locating efforts.
What ACS Underground Is Doing (or Can Do) to Stay Ahead
To deliver real value, ACS Underground integrates proven technologies and best practices. Here’s how we lead the future of utility locating:
- Using multi-method locating: combining GPR, electromagnetic tools, and, when appropriate, vacuum excavation or potholing for verification.
- Investing in GIS / GPS mapping so each job produces accurate, shareable, up-to-date location data.
- Operating high-quality GPR systems with trained technicians who interpret data correctly to minimize errors.
- Tracking new tools—such as robotics and drones—for sites where access or risk is an issue.
- Maintaining thorough documentation to satisfy regulatory requirements, including vertical/horizontal accuracy, detailed reports, and maps.
- Prioritizing safety and minimal disruption: using non-invasive techniques where possible, preserving landscaping and paving, and coordinating with related services.
How to Evaluate a Utility Locating Service Provider
If you’re selecting a utility locating partner, ask these questions to ensure strong value, safety, and results:
- What technologies do you use?
Look for GPR, EM, GPS/GIS, and test potholing. Multi-method approaches are best for complex sites. - Can you provide 3D or vertical + horizontal accuracy?
Depth matters as much as location. - Do you produce detailed maps & documentation?
Ask for reports, mark-ups, color coding, as-builts, and GIS exports. - How experienced are your operators?
Data quality depends on expert interpretation. - What’s your track record / case studies?
Request examples similar to your project. - How do you handle difficult soils, weather, or obstructed areas?
Beware of overpromising in challenging conditions. - What safety practices do you follow?
Look for adherence to OSHA/local standards and coordination with utility providers. - What are your timelines and cost estimates?
Clarify included precision, depth, and potential add-ons.
FAQs
Here are commonly asked questions about utility locating and how technology helps.
Q: What is the difference between GPR and electromagnetic locating?
A: Electromagnetic locators detect conductive materials (metal pipes, wires) by inducing or detecting electrical currents, while GPR emits radio waves and detects reflections off objects with different dielectric properties. GPR can detect non-metallic utilities (plastic, PVC, concrete) and voids, but it is more sensitive to soil conditions and often requires more skill and processing.
Q: How deep can GPR locate buried utilities?
A: It depends on soil type, moisture, instrument frequency, and antenna power. In optimal (dry, sandy, resistive) soils, GPR can reach several meters (10–15 feet or more). In highly conductive soils (wet clays, salt content), depth is much shallower.
Q: Is utility locating always 100% accurate?
A: No. Even with advanced technologies, factors like soil composition, signal interference, missing records, and operator error can cause inaccuracies. Multi-method locates, test potholing, and proper documentation help manage this risk.
Q: How much does technology-based utility locating cost vs. traditional methods?
A: Costs vary by site size, complexity, soil conditions, required precision (depth, mapping detail), and chosen technologies (e.g., GPR + EM + mapping vs. EM alone). Tech-driven methods often save money overall by avoiding strikes, rework, delays, and fines.
Q: Can technology locate utilities not on public or record maps?
A: Yes. Many older, abandoned, or privately owned utilities are missing from public maps. GPR and EM—especially when combined—can reveal these unknowns.
Q: What role will AI and IoT play in utility locating?
A: AI helps process large scan datasets, detect patterns, and improve predictive mapping. IoT embeds sensors to monitor utility conditions over time (e.g., leaks, stress, temperature), enabling preventive maintenance and faster response.
The future of utility locating is being shaped by technologies that improve safety, accuracy, and efficiency. For homeowners, municipalities, and commercial developers, the difference is real: fewer surprises, lower risk, fewer delays, and meaningful cost savings.
At ACS Underground, embracing these technologies isn’t just about staying current—it’s about delivering maximum value to clients who trust us to locate what’s underground. If you have a project or excavation coming up and want reliable, modern utility locating, we’d love to help. Contact ACS Underground Solutions today.
