GTI is participating in a pilot project with the Virginia DOT and other stakeholders to demonstrate the use of RFID marker balls and GPS to prevent excavation damage during highway renewal projects. In 2009, VDOT initiated a program to install RFID marker balls in all test pits, excavations, or any other time that utilities are exposed.
Excavation damage to utility lines is frequently a cause of significant highway project delays. Furthermore, excavation damage is a serious threat to utility line integrity and public safety. Utility congestion, moved reference features, and difficult marking surfaces are all factors that contribute to excavation damage. Additionally, there is often a delay of up to several months after new utility lines are installed or re-located before the updated information is included on utility maps – making locating the lines very difficult.
To mitigate these issues, VDOT is using RFID marker balls to mark the location of newly installed or exposed lines. Marker balls provide a mechanism to relocate assets in the future and provide several advantages over traditional locating tools. Marker balls are not subject to signal interference from nearby structures and do not require tracer wire continuity. Marker balls are tuned to a specific frequency so that users can be sure that the appropriate line is being located.
Technology providers include 3M, Trimble, and Tri-Global.
This project is partially funded by Operations Technology Development (OTD).
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| Installing Marker Balls in Utility Excavation |
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| Programming Marker Balls Prior to Installation |
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| Using Marker Ball Locator to Pinpoint Utility Location |
