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What is a Utility Survey?

A utility survey is a comprehensive assessment of underground utilities and structures within a given area — usually a construction site. Often conducted by Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) professionals, a utility survey includes the location, depth, and type of utilities present, helping teams avoid hazards and damages as they break ground on a building project.

What Is Underground Utility Mapping?

Underground utility mapping shines a light on underground infrastructure before shovels hit the dirt. This crucial step pinpoints the location of power lines, gas pipes, cables, and, of course, vital water and sewer systems. Knowing where these hidden assets lie minimizes risks, keeps construction on track, and prevents costly accidents.

Why Real-Time Utility Data is A Game-Changer in Construction Project Planning

When you're managing a construction or infrastructure project, early access to utility data is crucial.

Preliminary Real-Time Data: An AI-Powered Utility Desk Study, Available in Real-Time

Let's face it: the subsurface landscape is becoming increasingly complex, and traditional methods to obtain utility data, with their lengthy turnaround times and validation processes, are no longer sufficient.

Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering (ICE) Streamlines Field Investigations with 4M

When Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering (ICE) prepares to bid on projects, personnel must often perform time-consuming field research, often in remote areas, to uncover utility data. The firm saw an opportunity to streamline field investigation using 4M's Utility AI Mapping solution, saving hours — if not days — of effort.

4M Analytics Year in Review

Welcome to 2024! Looking back, it's astounding to see the evolution in the utility risk mitigation industry, and we're proud to have contributed to this progress. Being the first fully remote Utility AI Mapping and Analytics Solution “with no field visit’, we are honored to help transform the way civil engineers, general contractors, and project owners undertake utility investigation, utility coordination, and utility data management - ensuring the continuity of all critical infrastructure and services people rely on daily.

Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE): Everything You Need to Know

Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) plays a crucial role in construction and infrastructure projects by providing accurate location information about subsurface utilities. Using a combination of existing utility records, geophysical location methods, and potholing, SUE professionals identify, map, and manage underground utilities to minimize risks and ensure project success.

10 Common Excavation Hazards

Excavation work is an essential part of many construction projects, but it comes with its fair share of risks and hazards.

What is a Utility Locator?

Utility locators play a crucial role in several industries — including construction, excavation, and landscaping — by identifying and marking underground utilities.