Improving Damage Prevention/One-Call Programs Using SUE

With an ever-changing infrastructure environment, utility owners have faced increasing challenges in managing damage prevention. Until recently, little has evolved since the start of One-Call and the 811 system. Now, municipalities and states are beginning to integrate the technology and techniques used in subsurface utility engineering to provide an increased level of rigor of the utility existence and locations into the One-Call and damage prevention process; both utility owners and excavation contractors can benefit. This approach leads to a more sustainable infrastructure environment for utility owners. SUE incorporates the appropriate use of geophysical equipment, surveying, mapping, and improves the depiction of the underground assets, which has a positive effect on damage prevention as well as improvement to the utility records. By focusing more on completeness and less on assigning risk between the excavator and utility owner, both parties can benefit from fewer damages. This session will provide multiple case studies at the local and state level that show how SUE has been successfully integrated into One-Call/damage prevention programs as a risk mitigation strategy.