Subsurface utilities, buried from inches to many feet below roadways and rights-of way, pose significant challenges because they are not visible and cannot be assessed through visual inspection. Their location, condition, ownership, and impact on cost and schedule must instead be determined through specialized investigation methods and stakeholder coordination. Utility data depiction is the primary means of communication, yet it is often inconsistent, with varying stakeholder expectations.

NCHRP Research Report 1180: Depicting Utility Facilities in Design Plans: A Guide, produced by TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program, provides a set of guidelines for transportation agencies on depicting utility data from various sources. These guidelines support design decision-making, utility conflict identification and resolution, and consistent depiction practices. The scope includes both existing and proposed utility facilities. The guide is intended to support both 2-D and 3-D formats, recognizing that agencies vary in their access to and proficiency with different software tools.

The same project that developed NCHRP Research Report 1180 also produced NCHRP Web-Only Document 449: Developing a Guide to Depicting Utility Facilities in Design Plans. This companion document summarizes the research conducted to develop the guide.

Infrastructure Assets: Geotechnical, Highway Assets, Other Highway Assets
Resource Types: Guide/Manual
Capabilities: Data & Information Systems, Tools & Technology
Management Processes: Monitoring & Adjustment, Performance Based Planning & Programming, Resource Allocation, Strategic Direction