RFID in the Built Environment: Buried Asset Locating Systems

Abstract

AbstractThe built environment encompasses all buildings, spaces and products that are created or modified by people. This includes homes, schools, workplaces, recreation areas, greenways, business areas and transportation systems. The built environment not only includes construction above the ground but also the infrastructure hidden under the ground. This includes all buried services such as water, gas, electricity and communication services. These buried services are required to make the buildings functional, useful and fully operational: an efficient and well maintained underground infrastructure is required.RFID tags (radio frequency identification devices) are in essence transceivers consisting of three components that make up a sophisticated transponder. Once activated, the tag transmits data back to a receiving antenna: the technology does not require human intervention and further benefits from the fact that no line of sight is needed to control/operate the system. The tags can have both read and write abilities and their performance characteristics can be tailored/changed to accommodate a range of situations.Within this paper we argue that utility provision (the hidden services) is an area where RFID technology may be able to identify location of buried pipes and others underground equipments. Early results from field trials carried out so far will be presented. The issues and concerns relating to developing such an application using RFID technology will also be highlighted.KeywordsBuried AssetsBuilt EnvironmentRFID TechnologyTracking