InfraMap was one of the earliest engineering firms to pioneer subsurface utility engineering and infrastructure mapping, back in the 80s. For 35 years, InfraMap has been committed to advancing and improving the practice.

Our team of professionals is thoroughly familiar with all quality levels of the CI/ASCE 38-02 Standard, and as such can ensure our processes and deliverables adhere to the Standard. In fact, our Executive Vice President is on the committee to update it.

UIM and SUE were designed to mitigate risk and reduce the cost associated with conflicting designs and existing infrastructure. InfraMap understands these challenges, and delivers accurate, quality data to aid the owners’, engineers’, and contractors’ ability to make educated decisions.

Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) deals mainly with the depiction of subsurface utilities and the related activities of utility conflict analysis and utility coordination. SUE became a name for our services adopted by the ASCE and is detailed in the CI/ASCE 38-02 Standard.

Utility Infrastructure Mapping (UIM) includes as-built mapping of above-ground utility infrastructures such as pole-mounted facilities and equipment and other utility-related surface features. UIM is also concerned with the actual dimensions of subsurface vaults and manholes.

Utility Designating (quality level B) creates 2D surveys of existing subsurface utilities and is critical in the SUE/UIM process. Designating is the detection of utilities using advanced geophysical methods. Detected utilities are identified using records and field-based methods then surveyed. The final “as-built” utility data is processed, annotated, and reviewed to create the deliverable in the client’s CADD platform using their drafting standard.

Utility Locating/Test Holes (quality level A) are noninvasive air evacuation techniques that identify potential conflict points with existing infrastructure and is used for “ground-truthing” of utility data collected during the designation process. Utility Locating exposes the actual location of the utility, allowing the notation of utilities as well as their condition, size, and type. We use the groundbreaking technology of Utiliscope’s Utilivac to prevent damage to any subsurface utilities.

Subsurface Utility Engineering is endorsed by many organizations, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, the National Transportation Safety Board, the U.S. Department of Energy, Associated General Contractors of America, Inc., as well as universities, and utility companies.

For more information, read our Benefits of Utility Infrastructure Mapping article.