Utility issues continue to plague infrastructure projects. A Common Ground Alliance (CGA) Technical report cited that at least 70% of projects experience delays and budget overruns due to utility conflicts, with a 4.5% increase in impacts from 2018 to 2019. Findings like these along with recognized safety issues resulting from inaccurate utility information, and a lack of training to engineers in near-surface geophysical investigations for utilities, led to the formation of the Utility Investigation School (UIS) in 2016 led by by Tom Iseley, Ph.D, PE, Dist.M.ASCE, PWAM and Jim Anspach, PG(r), Dist M.ASCE, NAC.
The objectives of the multi-day, 4 PDH course include:
- Discuss project design to reduce utility issues during project development
- Understand how professionals can protect themselves against utility-related claims.
- Provide attendees with knowledge and tools to provide/understand a competent utility investigation in accordance with the accepted national standard- ASCE 38.
- Classroom lectures cover- geophysics, utility systems construction and configuration, ASCE 38 risk-based presentations and professional liability issues.
- Practical/hands-on sessions offer experience with Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Pipe Cable Locators (PCL) and more.
As we have over the past 7 years, T2 Utility Engineers was proud to continue our support of the UESI/BAMI-I Utility Investigation School training, providing equipment and our professionals to demonstrate it. The 17th and 18th trainings were held in Pittsburgh, PA and New York, NY the week of May 15, 2023. So far, about 400 students have taken this course, which is serving as a Body of Knowledge course for test preparation regarding UESI Utility Engineering certifications. It was great to see the engagement and on-going interest in learning about Subsurface Utility Engineering and the ASCE 38 Standard. Continuing education and expanding awareness of SUE best practices has always been important to us!