How software tools can help utilities with underground utility design
Cost and Time Savings
Several independent utility studies have been performed in the last two years, showing at
least a 15% reduction in construction cost since using the automated plat design tool.
These studies have bench marked subdivisions that the utility constructed before the
software was in place, versus the design of the same subdivision with the software being
used. Studies have shown savings of $10,000 to $15,000 on design and construction of
services for an average 100-home subdivision. The savings is achieved in two ways:
-
The software uses the utility's current "rules of tumb" and the AI that creates an
initial design that is already close to optimal.
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The software allows the designer to change individual or groups of parameters to test
for even better performance, all the while keeping track of material and labor costs to
construct each design.
Some of the cast studies can be found below. This chart identifies each utility by the state
that they are located. The number of lot per year is the average number of lots that are
developed by that utility per year. Annual savings can now be developed, without taking
in consideration the initial investment of the software.
| State |
Savings/Lot |
# of Lots/Yr. |
Annual Savings |
| Nevada |
$150/lot |
25,000 |
$3,750,000 |
| North Carolina |
$110 /lot |
20,000 |
$2,200,000 |
| Georgia |
$95 /lot |
5,000 |
$475,000 |
| California |
$105/lot |
18,000 |
$1,890,000 |
Savings are also achieved with utilities that provide both electric and natural gas services.
Electric system design is first accomplished, and then plat design software uses all of the
trenches that were used for the electrical distribution and then designs the gas distribution
using those trenches. Gas pipes are minimized because the electrical distribution is
minimized by the software in the previous design. This also provides the utility a way to
ensure that location of this equipment is maintained, and that installation crews do not
interrupt or damage services when they are installed.
Future Enhancement
With the advent of electrical and natural gas design, the next step is to automate the
design process for the other underground utilities (such as Telephone and Cable TV).
Software companies are currently addressing, and collecting the expertise of these
industries, to develop the algorithms to automate these processes. Using the existing
trenches that were developed for the electrical system, the telecommunications
infrastructure can be designed.
Summary
In summary, automating the process of designing and conducting the engineering
analysis of URD subdivision will become a major concern for the distribution operation
of utility companies. More and more, distribution operations will be forced to provide
designs faster and more accurate to Developers. Costs, which include installation labor of
the utility equipment (both electric and natural gas), will need to be reduced to a
minimum while maintaining the operational integrity. Proven software tools are available
today to automate these requirements. Some Plat Design tools have basic location of
utility equipment, but few have artificial intelligence to completely automate these
processes. Interfaces into AM/FM/GIS and Work Management systems are also a
necessity for the software to work. Current technology allows for utilities to purchase
these tools today.
