Reducing Damages to Underground Infrastructure: Performance Evaluation of One-Call Notification Program

Abstract

Reducing damages to underground utilities is one of the primary goals of construction stakeholders. The societal and economic impacts of such damages are substantial. To minimize potential damages to underground utilities, one-call notification programs have been created to coordinate efforts that aim to locate utilities before excavating. One-call centers are distributed throughout the United States and have been collecting damages data for years. However, few, if any, studies have evaluated the overall process of one-call centers and whether their services are adequately designed and efficiently delivered to utility owners and excavators. Thus, the present study aims to fill this gap in practice by investigating underground utility damages and evaluating the overall process. To achieve the aim of the study, two methods of data collection were adopted. Damage data from the state of North Carolina in 2017 were obtained to examine trends and frequencies of damages. In addition, a survey was developed and used to evaluate the overall process of one-call centers and identify deficiencies. Among other findings, the results suggest that damages to telecommunication and television (Tele/TV) lines are more frequent than other types of damages and that, overall, Tele/TV contractors are the primary contributors to most damages. The study also reveals that locate time is the most deficient component in the locating process. Findings from the present study are expected to help construction stakeholders and state agencies improve the locating process and management of underground utilities.