Why Gyroscopic Technology is Better for Underground Utility Mapping

Gyroscopic Mapping Technology is Here 

With aging urban utility architecture and the general need to upgrade new infrastructure across the globe, underground mapping is now back in focus. The benefits of underground mapping are numerous. They allow for the reduction of damage to underground assets, and the corresponding costs involved in terms of not only repairing the damage but also locating it through excavations. With trenchless installation techniques, the benefit is manyfold, as without digging up the ground to see what pipes are there, it is very difficult to know that you’re inserting the underground asset into the right place. Mistakes can be very pricey, such as cross boring. 

There are many mapping technologies currently available on the market such as Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), or other beacon-based systems. 

However, we would like to argue that gyroscopic mapping systems are far better than other methods. These are systems in which a gyroscope probe is inserted into the asset that needs to be mapped while a data collection system receives the information gathered by the probe as it travels from one end to the other. 

Techniques such as ground-penetrating radar and beacon-based systems are unreliable or impractical because these systems are difficult to use and don’t get the exact measurement of the pipe’s centerline. 

Lack of Precision 

Techniques such as GPR and GNSS are prone to being inaccurate because they do not actually are able to access the pipes as they are lying. This means many mistakes in measurement can happen, such as failing to detect undulations, the bend radius, as well as duct conditions that may impede the work process. This also includes their ability to detect non-metallic pipes. 

Gyroscopic mapping technology has none of that. The probe itself travels through the duct and leaves no room for mistakes, as it is inside the actual pipeline at all times. In addition, this allows for frequent data collection which enables the user to know precisely what’s going on with the pipeline at every fraction of an inch. This kind of accuracy is highly difficult and expensive to achieve with other technologies.

Limited Depth Range 

Beacon-based systems and other surveying devices also have a limited depth range. Many underground assets overlap each other, with some going very far down into the ground. Pipes may also dip further than they seem to be when surveying from the surface. Gyroscopic technology has no limited in-depth range as it simply goes through the entire length of the pipeline. 

High Susceptibility to Electromagnetic Interference. 

One of the most problematic aspects of technologies such as beacon-based systems and GPR is that they have a high susceptibility to electromagnetic interference - rendering them virtually useless in densely piped areas or near railways and power lines. The fact that urban areas cannot be mapped is a huge issue. Gyroscopic probes however do not rely on sending out signals, so they are completely immune to this.

In conclusion, gyroscopic technology is by far the solution of choice for all kinds of mapping required. They are fast, they are relatively affordable, and they get the job done when it comes to getting as-built maps of underground assets.

If you would like to see a demonstration of the PRISUM 3D gyroscopic mapping tool, register for one of our regular demos.