Recent Trends in Ground Disturbance and Locating Practices

- Katia Dejardin, UnEarthed Excavation Ltd. 

In recent years, the ground disturbance and utility locating sector has continued to evolve in response to regulatory changes, technological advancements, and an increased emphasis on safety and risk mitigation. As construction activity remains robust across urban and suburban environments, stakeholders from contractors to utility owners are adopting practices to address ongoing challenges, particularly in the accuracy of locates and coordination of pipeline crossings. Ground disturbance trends in Alberta this year point toward increased utility congestion, stricter locate compliance, and more emphasis on crossing agreements. Digital records, early coordination, and realistic assumptions will increasingly shape safe, efficient excavation practices across the industry.

A consistent trend observed in the field is the handling of situations where critical infrastructure cannot be definitively located. A prominent example is the treatment of 4-party utility boxes—junction points where multiple utilities converge. When certified locators are unable to physically locate these boxes despite thorough search efforts (including vacuum excavation and electromagnetic methods), a standardized assumption approach has become increasingly common. In these cases, locators often place the presumed location centrally within the lot, aligned with the property’s sidewalks or other consistent right-of-way features. While not a perfect solution, this geometry-based approach provides a logical and defensible reference point—essentially saying, “If the box had a favorite place to be, this is probably it.”

While this approach is not a substitute for actual exposure of facilities, it reflects a pragmatic response to limitations in detection technologies and incomplete as-built documentation. Contractors and asset owners are encouraged to incorporate these assumed points into their planning, but also to pursue confirmatory methods—such as daylighting—when critical infrastructure is anticipated in high-risk locations.

Another significant development in ground disturbance operations is the evolution of Pipeline Crossing Agreements (PCAs). As infrastructure networks densify and multiple utilities intersect, written agreements between pipeline operators and third-party contractors have become more sophisticated and more widely adopted. Key trends include:

• Digital Tracking and Notification Systems: Adoption of web-based platforms that automate the request, coordination, and documentation of PCAs, reducing delays and improving transparency.
• Standardized Compliance Protocols: Pipeline owners are increasingly requiring contractors to adhere to prescriptive safety standards and monitoring requirements, including real-time communication during crossing activities.
• Risk-Based Scheduling: High-consequence crossings are being prioritized with extended lead times for planning and oversight, reflecting both regulatory pressures and corporate risk management strategies.
• Data Integration: Use of shared GIS repositories that combine pipeline, telecom, electric, and water main data to help coordinate crossings well before mobilization.

These trends underscore the industry’s focus on preventing utility damage, enhancing safety, and improving the reliability of locates and documentation. By combining improved procedural standards with collaborative agreements and pragmatic field practices, stakeholders are better equipped to manage ground disturbance risks in today’s complex underground landscape.