In nearly every industry, momentum is toward “smart” devices that promise to automate judgment and decision making. Yet pipe and cable locating remains one of the few fields where human judgment remains irreplaceable. A locator device can measure electromagnetic fields, but it cannot yet think or decide. In complex, distorted conditions and congested corridors, even skilled operators face uncertainty. What matters is not just finding the right spot once, but proving that each locate is defensible, repeatable, and aligned with best practices.
What is Locate Assurance®
A data-driven digital solution for utility locating and mapping that enhances operations, providing greater transparency, incentivizing field performance, and reducing underground damages.
Problem Addressed: Identifies bad locate practices that result in excavation damages, targeting root causes of mismarks and mis-locates.
Industry Segments: Locate Assurance supports three primary use cases, delivering unique value tailored to each segment:
a) Precision Mapping & Locating
b) High Value Asset Locating
c) 811 Production Locating
Locate Assurance transforms this process into measurable performance and insights. It records how the locator device was used, how site conditions influenced quality and time on-site, and scores sessions against proven workflows. Importantly, it also qualifies GPS data captured during the locate, ensuring confidence and providing trusted records for GIS and asset management teams. The field technician remains the decision-maker but is supported by data that validates their decisions and gives managers visibility into quality and risk. The result is fewer errors, stronger training, and with proven reduction in at fault locator damages - a shift from simply painting the ground to data driven assurance at every locate and mapping session.
How It Works – Workflow Summary
Locate Assurance® connects the field technician, locator device, and the utility, contracting, or engineering org to one platform that transforms locating into measurable performance and is proven to dramatically reduce at-fault locator damages.
Technicians upload session data through MyRD LPM mobile app. The captured performance data is processed in the cloud, and each point capture, paint mark, flag, and locate session is replayed and scored- powered by our proprietary scoring algorithm, engineered over ten years with industry R&D support, subject matter experts, and utility collaboration - iteratively refined and customized for unique industry workflows in underground locating.
Locate Assurance Is not a black box that tracks every move in the field, in reality it’s a technician’s strongest ally, providing objective data that can validate quality work, defend against unfair blame, and build trust with supervisors and utilities.
Locate Assurance® helps organizations understand how and why mis-locates happen, turning hidden risks into actionable insights. It bridges the gap between training and real-world performance while qualifying previously naked GPS datasets, ensuring every locate is validated, defensible, and aligned with best practices. Integrations with GIS and 811 ticket platforms are available.