Fiber Optic Sensing is an important step in achieving the CGA’s 50-in-5 initiative. It addresses the cause of 24% of all excavation damage; excavation without a one-call ticket. Currently, there is no way to identify and intervene in an excavation that is occurring without a one-call ticket. Fiber Optic Sensing provides a way for facility operators to be alerted to excavations near their underground facilities and to respond if the excavation is not covered by an existing one-call ticket.
How does using Fiber Optic Sensing change the current system of contacting 811 prior to excavation?
Adding Fiber Optic Sensing to your damage prevention portfolio augments, but does not change, the existing system of contacting 811 prior to excavation. The existing system will continue to operate the way it always has. Fiber Optic Sensing provides an extra layer of protection beyond what’s available through the current system.
We’ve always done it this way.
The current 811 system is based on excavators calling the 811-notification center and that remains unchanged. Including Fiber Optic Sensing to your damage prevention portfolio adds a dimension unavailable through the current system, that is notification when someone is excavating near your facilities without a one-call ticket.
What sources of fiber are available?
There are multiple sources of fiber available to facility operators and the mix of sources will vary from operator to operator.
Some facility operators have installed their own fiber lines, and the Fiber Optic Sensing system can utilize a dark fiber strand in their line.
There may be a fiber line running in the same right of way as your facility. In most instances, there will be a dark fiber which can be leased from the fiber owner.
If there is not an adjacent fiber line, a work around with an adjacent power line may be possible.
If there isn’t a fiber line in your right of way or there are no dark fibers in the adjacent fiber lines arrangements can be made with a telecom company.
What if there are no dark strands available in the fiber?
In some cases, the signal can be sent at a different wavelength to avoid disruption of a fiber already in use.
How far away from the fiber can the system accurately detect excavation?
For the most accurate results, the fiber line should be within 30 feet of the underground line it is protecting. In some circumstances, protection exists at further distances.
How does the system know the difference between excavation and other activities?
Each activity or noise creates its own unique vibration signature that the system detects. As new signatures are detected, the system uses machine learning to identify and label each signature.
I tried working with Fiber Optic Sensing several years ago and the results were disappointing. What’s different now?
Technology has greatly improved. New classification algorithms based on machine learning and AI are significantly more accurate in detecting unique vibration signatures than the previous threshold-based approaches of several years ago.
This advanced technology minimizes nuisance alerts caused by misidentifying excavation and non-excavation activities. Processing alerts through the Texas811 database prior to sending them to the facility operator eliminates unnecessary alerts for excavation activity that is covered by an existing one-call ticket.
Can it distinguish between manual and mechanical excavation?
Yes, the system can distinguish between manual and mechanical excavation.
What is the total linear distance that can be monitored?
Each interrogator unit can protect around 60 miles from one location. Multiple interrogator units and fibers can be connected to extend the distance up to hundreds of miles.
Does the fiber have to be one continuous strand?
The light in the fiber strand needs to be continuous per channel or port. Fiber can be spiced to accommodate this.
Does it work along busy streets with a lot of noisy activity?
Yes, each activity or noise has its own unique vibration signature allowing excavation activity to be distinguished from traffic or other noises.
Who would respond to the site when unauthorized excavation is detected?
Response will be up to each facility operator.
What will be included in the alert?
The alert will include the GPS coordinates of the excavation and whether the excavation is manual or mechanical.
Will we know the exact location we need to respond to?
Yes, GPS coordinates for the excavation will be provided with each alert.
How will we be alerted to the excavation that is threatening our facility?
An electronic or voice alert will be sent through the Texas811 system like an Emergency or DigUp alert.
How many people can receive the alert?
This is up to the facility operator. We recommend the facility operator set up a distribution email address so the alert can be shared with as many employees as you want. Calls can also be made to contacts provided by the member.
Can Fiber Optic Sensing provide information in addition to alerts for excavation with no one-call tickets?
Yes, Fiber Optic Sensing offers more than alerts for excavation activities without one-call tickets. It effectively monitors the commencement and conclusion of excavation, pinpointing instances where digging exceeds the duration specified on the one-call ticket. Furthermore, it’s adept at identifying excavation activities outside the designated work area. Fiber Optic Sensing also generates data that can be used to comply with regulatory requirements.
In addition to information about excavation activity, Fiber Optic Sensing has successfully been used for pipeline leak detection for many years.
What does installing a Fiber Optic Sensing system cost?
With variables ranging from the length of lines you desire to protect and the availability of adjacent fiber lines, there is no off-the-shelf price. We recommend contacting Texas811 about a trial so your specific requirements can be factored into a cost estimate.
Is this Fiber Optic Sensing system available outside of Texas?
This process is designed to work through Texas811, but arrangements can be made for it to be available throughout the country.
