The Village of Niles maintains geographic information system (GIS) maps of their infrastructure for sewer, water, data, and street lighting. Using GIS maps, the Village self-performs all locate requests. Inaccurate maps are a liability. After a project is built, features are selectively surveyed, field measured and used in combination with a plan mark-up to enter into GIS. This process means the GIS database may not be updated for months after construction. This time gap creates a significant risk for damage. Recently, the Village constructed a 17-mile street lighting and fiber optic infrastructure improvement. Public works (PW) worked with the contractor to use a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver to geolocate the system as it was installed. The benefits include reduced liability from incorrect locate marks, cost-effective survey-grade data, and reduced risk for service outages. PW also worked with the GIS department to have real-time data available to the entire project team.

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Thomas Powers, PE, MPA, CFM;Jack Grana

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