It's time for action: Excavation damages threatens security of supply and society's digital nerve

All contractors and utilities digging underground should be socially responsible and 3D document all pipes and wires they can see underground, rather than just documenting their own wires. This will prevent excavation damage and secure the digital nerve of society.

Abstract

In 2016, the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities determined that excavation damage to underground infrastructure costs society approximately DKK 280 million per year. Since then, no major improvements have been made. We need to find a joint solution between authorities, contractors, utility companies and consultants. We simply know too little about the critical supply lines that we have lying underground. The necessary technology for 3D documentation and data sharing has already been developed and is available from several different suppliers, but we must join forces in a joint effort to harvest the potential. With a future requirement for 3D documentation, as a united industry we will ensure high accuracy in the location of the wires and pipes, while broad sharing of data will benefit everyone. All in all, this will lead to better utilization of our resources and infrastructure across supply types and industries.