Evaluation of Radar Tomography by FL DOT District 4 in West Palm Beach (2003)

In the latter part of 2003, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Four, with its operations center located in West Palm Beach, embarked on an innovative journey.

The department decided to test the capabilities of Computer Aided Radar Tomography (RT), a cutting-edge technology designed to improve the identification and mapping of subsurface structures using radar arrays.

Radar Tomography leverages a radar array capable of penetrating soil to reveal hidden structures such as buried utilities, rocks, concrete, building pads, and walls.

Utilizing a signal strength of 200 MHz transmitted through nine transmitting and eight receiving antennae, the technology aimed to offer a more precise alternative to the traditional Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) methods.

The primary goal of this exploratory study was to evaluate whether RT technology could provide more accurate and comprehensive data regarding subsoil conflicts, especially in identifying buried utilities and foreign anomalies, than the existing SUE methods.

The evaluation was conducted on two specific FDOT projects within the West Palm Beach area. The technology's effectiveness was gauged through its ability to detect existing utilities and other subsurface anomalies, with a particular focus on the Olive Avenue project.

The RT technology exhibited mixed results in its application. On the Olive Avenue project, it managed to locate approximately 50% of the utilities previously identified by the designers. This outcome highlighted the technology's potential but also underscored its limitations in detection accuracy.

Based on the study's findings, several recommendations were put forward:

-Radar data interpreters need to have a deeper understanding of FDOT's specific requirements and operational procedures.
-Improved communication between the service provider and FDOT is crucial to align expectations and capabilities.

While the trial of Computer Aided Radar Tomography in West Palm Beach did not achieve the high level of success anticipated, it provided valuable insights into the potential applications and limitations of RT technology.

Despite the challenges encountered, FDOT's positive experiences with SUE technology in other projects across Florida, such as those in Tallahassee and Miami, demonstrate the significant benefits of investing in subsurface utility engineering, with savings of $3 in contractor construction delay claims for every $1 spent.

The study suggests that further research and development are needed to enhance the accuracy and reliability of Radar Tomography.

As technology advances, there is potential for RT to become a more integral part of FDOT's toolkit for identifying and managing subsurface utilities and anomalies.

In 2003, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Four tested the capabilities of Computer Aided Radar Tomography (RT) to improve the identification and mapping of subsurface structures.

The primary goal was to see if RT could provide more accurate data on subsoil conflicts compared to traditional Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) methods. 

The evaluation was conducted on two FDOT projects in West Palm Beach, focusing on the Olive Avenue project. RT technology showed mixed results, detecting only about 50% of the utilities identified by designers. 

Recommendations included better understanding and communication between radar data interpreters and FDOT. The trial revealed both the potential and limitations of RT technology. Despite the challenges, the study highlighted the value of investing in subsurface utility engineering, noting significant cost savings in other projects. Future research and development are needed to improve RT's accuracy and reliability.

What was the main problem or problems?

The main problem was evaluating whether Radar Tomography (RT) could provide more accurate and comprehensive data regarding subsoil conflicts, especially in identifying buried utilities and foreign anomalies, compared to traditional Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) methods.
What challenges did they have?

RT technology exhibited mixed results, only locating about 50% of the utilities previously identified by designers, indicating limitations in detection accuracy.

There was a need for radar data interpreters to better understand FDOT's specific requirements and operational procedures.
Improved communication between the service provider and FDOT was crucial to align expectations and capabilities.

How exactly did they overcome those challenges?

While the trial did not achieve the expected success, it provided valuable insights into the potential applications and limitations of RT technology.

Recommendations were made for deeper understanding and better communication between radar data interpreters and FDOT.

The positive experiences with SUE technology in other projects across Florida, demonstrating significant cost savings, reinforced the value of investing in subsurface utility engineering.

This encouraged ongoing research and development to enhance RT technology's accuracy and reliability.