A framework for utility data integration in the UK

Information exchange and re-use is crucial to many organisations throughout the world. However, some business domains involve different organisations that, although nominally in competition, must share information. Privatised utility companies in the UK are one such example. Every year, in excess of four million holes are dug in UK roads to repair assets, provide connecting services to new premises and to lay new cables and pipes. Although recently installed assets may have been well mapped, location and attribute data on older services can be very poor, in some cases even non existent (except perhaps knowing the location of the terminating points). This poor data quality can lead to unnecessary holes dug in the wrong place and third party damage to other underground services. Equally important, there are also considerable indirect costs owing to disruption on the roads caused by works, waste and pollution. The core of the problem is that there is at present insufficient and inadequate knowledge about what is where. What information there is, is not always used to its maximum benefit. It is postulated that improving mechanisms of integrating and sharing knowledge on utility assets and the location of street works will lead to a reduction in the amount of street works in the UK by improving both the co-ordination of works and the quality of A framework for utility data integration in the UK