Market Trends of Underground Utility Mapping Industry
Ground Penetrating Radar is Expected to be the Largest Component Type Solution
- Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is the preferred method for utility mapping, emitting directional electromagnetic waves in the MHz and GHz range. GPR uses the electromagnetic signal's return to determine the location of underground utility infrastructure.
- GPR technology is highly accurate and can locate both metallic and nonmetallic utilities. Utility surveyors prefer ground-penetrating radar for utility mapping surveys because it provides quick data acquisition, lower operating costs, and high-resolution imagery.
- GPR offers a non-destructive and efficient method for assessing concrete structures, delivering valuable information on rebar locations, slab thickness, and voids or conduits. By avoiding invasive techniques, GPR minimizes disruption to ongoing construction projects while ensuring accurate results.
- Drone manufacturers are developing GPR-enabled drones for detecting underground utilities, which is expected to expand the market opportunities in the coming years.
- As the number of natural gas pipelines grows, the need for accurate and efficient mapping and monitoring increases. Ground penetration techniques are essential for locating, identifying, and assessing the pipeline's condition without causing disruption or damage to the surrounding environment. According to GGON, as of February 2024, China had the highest number of operational gas pipelines globally. The Chinese gas network comprised 442 functional pipelines, with 302 proposed or already under construction. The total number of operational gas pipelines globally is above 1,500.
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North America is Expected to Hold a Significant Portion of the Market Share in the Future
- The rapid urbanization and population growth in North America are increasing the pressure on existing infrastructure systems, leading to higher demand for underground utility mapping services. Urban areas are particularly complex and densely populated, requiring precise mapping to avoid damage to underground utilities during construction activities.
- According to the National Underground Asset Registry Advisory Group, the uncertainty of locating underground utilities costs the US economy an average of USD 50 billion (USD 50,000 million) per year, with over 1,500 injuries and nearly 400 deaths recorded over the last 20 years. Due to missing or inaccurate information about underground utility mapping, this uncertainty is a significant cause of highway construction delays. These mapping utility uncertainties fuel the growth of advanced technology-based solutions in the region.
- Many cities and municipalities in North America are investing in smart city initiatives to leverage technology to improve infrastructure management, enhance public services, and optimize resource allocation. Underground utility mapping is crucial in smart city planning and development by providing essential data for infrastructural asset management and planning.
- Significant efforts are being made in the region to develop methods of sharing data about underground utilities captured during construction. For instance, the City of Chicago launched a pilot program to deploy a platform for collecting data and sharing a 3D map of the subway.
- The region's players are also focusing on inorganic growth strategies to capture significant market shares, boosting the growth of the regional segment. Moreover, many public works departments in the region currently use GIS to display the location of underground utilities.
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