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How
SUE Works?
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The
need for Subsurface Utiltiy Engineering (SUE) can be easily
defined in the following processes:
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| The
main benefits of SUE (Subsurface Utility Engineering) are: |
- The
client/owner assumes the responsiblity for considering and
dealing with utility location risks in almost all of their
design/excavation/construction projects. Depending upon
the complexity of the project, this may involve actions
ranging anywhere from making a conscious decision to proceed
with the project using readily available information, to
employing the services of an engineer to provide expert
advice and to use available technologies to provide better
information.
- The
engineer, when involved, will advise the client/owner of
utility risks and recommend an appropriate quality level
of utility data for a given project area at the appropriate
time within the project planning and design process. The
client/owner will then specify to the engineer the desired
quality level of utility data.
- The
engineer will furnish the desired utility quality level
to the client/owner in accordance with the standard of care,
and will be responsible for negligent errors and/or omissions
in the utility data for the certified utility quality level.
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| How
good is SUE? The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) commissioned
Purdue University in 2000, to find out how effective SUE is
in reducing costs on highway projects. Purdue University researchers:
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- Documented
a project savings of $4.62 for every $1.00 spent
on SUE.
- Determined
the cost of using SUE amounted to less than 0.5%
of the total design/excavation/construction costs; and
- Projected
a minimum national savings of approximately $1 billion
per year when SUE is used systematically nationwide.
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|
Reference - Copies of Purdue's January 2000 report, "Cost
Savings on Highway Projects Utilizing Subsurface Utility Engineering,"
may be obtained from the FHWA. |
