Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) is a branch of engineering that produces, acquires and manages subsurface data and utility information. SUE is an engineering practice that has evolved substantially in recent years. The SUE process combines civil engineering, surveying, and geophysics. It utilizes several technologies, including ground penetrating radar, vacuum excavation, hydro excavation and surface geophysics. The requirements of SUE reports have become a routine requirement of many municipalities and authorities having jurisdiction actoss Florida and surrounding states.

SUE BENEFITS

Safety- having accurate information on subsurface conditions is paramount to the safety of excavation contractors and other working on the project. Cost- accurate subsurface information reduces costly relocations normally necessitated on projects relying only on as-builts. Damage to underground infrastructure can be greatly reduced with thorough SUE reports. Time- Reliable SUE information can prevent unnecessary utility relocations. The delays caused by designing and physically relocating a utility while the project is underway can be critical. Construction delays caused by cutting, damaging, or discovering unidentified utility lines are reduced. Accurate SUE reporting means less potential for damage to a utility that might result in personal injury, property damage, and releases of product into the environment.

SUE QUALITY LEVELS:

• Quality Level D. QL-D is the most basic level of information for utility locations. It comes solely from existing utility records or verbal recollections, both typically unreliable sources. It may provide an overall "feel" for the congestion of utilities, but is often highly limited in terms of comprehensiveness and accuracy. QL-D is useful primarily for project planning and route selection activities.

• Quality Level C. QL-C is probably the most commonly used level of information. It involves surveying visible utility facilities (e.g., manholes, valve boxes, etc.) and correlating this information with existing utility records (QL-D information). When using this information, it is not unusual to find that many underground utilities have been either omitted or erroneously plotted. Its usefulness, therefore, is primarily on rural projects where utilities are not prevalent, or are not too expensive to repair or relocate.

• Quality Level B. QL-B involves the application of appropriate surface geophysical methods to determine the existence and horizontal position of virtually all utilities within the project limits. This activity is called "designating". The information obtained in this manner is surveyed to project control. It addresses problems caused by inaccurate utility records, abandoned or unrecorded facilities, and lost references. The proper selection and application of surface geophysical techniques for achieving QL-B data is critical. Information provided by QL-B can enable the accomplishment of preliminary engineering goals. Decisions regarding location of storm drainage systems, footers, foundations and other design features can be made to successfully avoid conflicts with existing utilities. Slight adjustments in design can produce substantial cost savings by eliminating utility relocations.

 • Quality Level A. QL-A, also known as "locating", is the highest level of accuracy presently available and involves the full use of the subsurface utility engineering services. It provides information for the precise plan and profile mapping of underground utilities through the nondestructive exposure of underground utilities, and also provides the type, size, condition, material and other characteristics of underground features.

Subsurface utilities are vital infrastructure that provide necessary services, such as electricity, water, telecommunications, gas and drainage to all citizens. Located underground, these utilities are ubiquitous in all urban areas, and can be easily damaged during excavation. If a water line is cut the public is immediately negatively affected. Data from the Damage Information Reporting Tool shows that the financial impact of damaged underground utilities in 2019 was estimated at $30 billion. In an effort to reduce damage, one call centers have been established to provide a communication center for all stakeholders (excavators, locators, and utility owners). Despite these initiatives, there are often disconnects throughout the process.

The management of subsurface utilities contributes significantly to the resilience of modern cities. Damage to subsurface utilities greatly impacts daily life and has severe consequences, including property damage, scheduling delays, and fatal and nonfatal injuries. One call centers are the cornerstone for preventing subsurface utility damage in the United States. Construction contractors and subcontractors rely on one call centers to notify utility owners about their excavation plans. The shared responsibility approach, which calls for teamwork between excavators and utility owners, is a crucial element of the one call system. This study aims to benchmark one call centers’ current practices to improve the overall communication among stakeholders and enhance damage prevention efforts. The provided benchmarking suggests the dire need for better strategies to collect and analyze the data from damage events. In addition, the practical outcomes of the North Carolina Locate Resolution Partnership Committee (NC Resolution Committee) were assessed. The assessment suggests that using data from one call centers could lead to a resilient damage prevention process. Thus, this study delivers a better understanding of the current practices of one call centers and a new approach to improving damage prevention efforts beyond the traditional role of one call centers.