BACKGROUND

Aging utility infrastructure, advancement of new technologies, and the growth of populated areas in the United States contribute to the difficulty in maintaining utility infrastructure while managing an increasing demand for products and services. Utility companies strive to strike a balance between maintaining existing facilities and expanding new utilities. Removing abandoned, retired, or decommissioned utility facilities that no longer meet the needs of their customers can be costly.

Since increasing numbers of utility facilities occupy public rights-of-way (ROW), the impacts of out-of-service (OOS) facilities can be more significant because OOS facilities are typically undocumented on utility company mapping, are unmarked by 811 utility locators, and may not be identified until the contractor actually exposes the facility. These factors can cause delays in the work schedule to identify the facility type, owner, and status (active or inactive); acknowledge the OOS during construction; and analyze potential consequences.

Previous research on OOS facilities tends to discuss problems without providing viable solutions to address them. Research is needed to define effective policies and practices for state departments of transportation (DOTs) and other transportation agencies to use when encountering OOS facilities.  

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this research was to develop a guide to assist state DOTs and other agencies with the management of OOS facilities. At a minimum, the research team conducted research to:

1.    Identify means to improve the efficiency of transportation construction projects by locating OOS utilities and addressing their presence to avoid negative impacts during construction.

2.    Develop a guide defining best practices to locate, track, and manage OOS facilities. 

STATUS: Research complete. Final Deliverables are under review.