Exploring utility system SDI – Managerial and technical perspectives

• Setting a utility data infrastructure is challenging in view of variable definitions and formats of diverse data sources.
• Availability and accuracy of 2-dimensional (xy) and in particular depth (z) data pose an even greater challenge.
• Compatibility between different utility types is still a long way to go.
• The above issues are illustrated by real data of various utility networks in a small but congested area in urban Hong Kong.

Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) has increasingly been important with the more widespread use of Geo-IT. The term is not new to countries which have adopted geo-information technology for a long time such as Australia, Germany and the United States. In Hong Kong, increasing attention to SDI has been paid from a number of government departments and related professional bodies in recent years. Yet, their work has primarily been concentrated on features on topographic surface. Our underground utility system which consists of diverse types of pipes, power lines and cables in fact also calls for an urgent need of a SDI to ensure both smooth and secure daily operations as well as system management and planning. To achieve setting up a utility SDI for as-built record, identification of essential components with proper definition is the first task, followed by translation into commonly agreed geometric and topologic primitives. From this proposed project, it’s also preferable that a prototype platform with representative tested data be developed to enable simple query and network analysis. It is hoped that deliverables from this project can be demonstrated to the industry, making a start to promote Geo-IT technology in enhancing utility data management.