Abstract:
The Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) process provides valuable utility facility information that can be leveraged to full extent for light rail projects. A proper understanding of the SUE process helps mitigate problems of utility relocation costs, utility facility safety, and project schedule impacts. In practice, many issues combine to the missed opportunities for dealing with utilities on light rail projects. They are (a) stigmatism of SUE as potholing of utilities; (b) inexperienced junior engineers assigned to deal with utility issues; and (c) missed avoidance, mitigation, or value-engineered solutions to utility conflicts. This report outlines the proper SUE process and how to properly leverage the utility data collected via this process. Critical leveraging solutions include: collection of good utility data by following ASCE 38-02 standard guidelines; use of conflict matrices to manage conflicts; integration of required utility work into light rail construction staging; allowance of every opportunity to bid on utility work under contract; and following through on utility as-built information through construction.
