Underground Utility Mapping Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Market Size (2024) | USD 1.32 Billion |
| Market Size (2029) | USD 2.09 Billion |
| CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 9.61 % |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market | North America |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
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Underground Utility Mapping Market Analysis
The Underground Utility Mapping Market size is estimated at USD 1.32 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 2.09 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of greater than 9.61% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
Underground utility mappings like pipework or underground electric wires determine the utility location. Underground utility mapping is essential to civil engineering because it saves time and money on costly repairs caused by striking utilities. Project planners can accurately plan costs for work to be done with the help of an accurate utility map. However, surveyors face record accuracy and mapping challenges, as mapping the location of hidden utility objects is an inherently difficult task.
- Over the last few years, the subsurface utility engineering (SUE) industry has developed novel approaches to mapping underground utility infrastructure. Geophysical technologies such as electromagnetic locators and ground-penetrating radars are used with non-technical methods such as historical records to gather sufficient subsurface infrastructure information.
- With the proliferation of smartphones in recent years, vendors are seizing the opportunity to create app-based mapping solutions to aid engineers in their work. For example, Radiodetection, a manufacturer of underground utility mapping tools, released an Android mapping app compatible with the RF marker locator range and the cable, pipe, or RF marker range. The app uses Bluetooth connectivity to create a real-time map of buried utilities.
- The combination of emerging technologies with utility maps is revolutionizing the underground utility mapping market by improving the accuracy, efficiency, and safety of exploration activities. These advancements enable exploration teams to overcome challenges associated with underground infrastructure, optimize exploration routes, and minimize risks, ultimately driving growth and innovation in the market.
- Technological advancements have led to the development of sophisticated detection applications that are more accessible to many users. These applications may include software solutions, mobile apps, and handheld devices equipped with sensors capable of detecting underground utilities.
- High maintenance costs often accompany high upfront investment requirements for mapping tools. This can deter potential customers, especially smaller organizations or those with limited budgets, from adopting underground utility mapping solutions.
- The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital technologies, including underground utility mapping solutions. Organizations recognized the importance of digitizing and automating processes to improve efficiency, reduce reliance on manual labor, and mitigate future disruption.
Underground Utility Mapping Market Trends
Ground Penetrating Radar is Expected to be the Largest Component Type Solution
- Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is the preferred method for utility mapping, emitting directional electromagnetic waves in the MHz and GHz range. GPR uses the electromagnetic signal's return to determine the location of underground utility infrastructure.
- GPR technology is highly accurate and can locate both metallic and nonmetallic utilities. Utility surveyors prefer ground-penetrating radar for utility mapping surveys because it provides quick data acquisition, lower operating costs, and high-resolution imagery.
- GPR offers a non-destructive and efficient method for assessing concrete structures, delivering valuable information on rebar locations, slab thickness, and voids or conduits. By avoiding invasive techniques, GPR minimizes disruption to ongoing construction projects while ensuring accurate results.
- Drone manufacturers are developing GPR-enabled drones for detecting underground utilities, which is expected to expand the market opportunities in the coming years.
- As the number of natural gas pipelines grows, the need for accurate and efficient mapping and monitoring increases. Ground penetration techniques are essential for locating, identifying, and assessing the pipeline's condition without causing disruption or damage to the surrounding environment. According to GGON, as of February 2024, China had the highest number of operational gas pipelines globally. The Chinese gas network comprised 442 functional pipelines, with 302 proposed or already under construction. The total number of operational gas pipelines globally is above 1,500.
North America is Expected to Hold a Significant Portion of the Market Share in the Future
- The rapid urbanization and population growth in North America are increasing the pressure on existing infrastructure systems, leading to higher demand for underground utility mapping services. Urban areas are particularly complex and densely populated, requiring precise mapping to avoid damage to underground utilities during construction activities.
- According to the National Underground Asset Registry Advisory Group, the uncertainty of locating underground utilities costs the US economy an average of USD 50 billion (USD 50,000 million) per year, with over 1,500 injuries and nearly 400 deaths recorded over the last 20 years. Due to missing or inaccurate information about underground utility mapping, this uncertainty is a significant cause of highway construction delays. These mapping utility uncertainties fuel the growth of advanced technology-based solutions in the region.
- Many cities and municipalities in North America are investing in smart city initiatives to leverage technology to improve infrastructure management, enhance public services, and optimize resource allocation. Underground utility mapping is crucial in smart city planning and development by providing essential data for infrastructural asset management and planning.
- Significant efforts are being made in the region to develop methods of sharing data about underground utilities captured during construction. For instance, the City of Chicago launched a pilot program to deploy a platform for collecting data and sharing a 3D map of the subway.
- The region's players are also focusing on inorganic growth strategies to capture significant market shares, boosting the growth of the regional segment. Moreover, many public works departments in the region currently use GIS to display the location of underground utilities.
Underground Utility Mapping Industry Overview
The underground utility mapping market is semi-consolidated due to the presence of both global players and small and medium-sized enterprises. Some of the major players in the market are Hexagon AB, GSSI Geophysical Survey Systems Inc., LandScope Engineering Ltd, Plowman Craven Limited, and Geospatial Corporation. The players are adopting strategies such as partnerships and acquisitions to enhance their product offerings and gain a competitive advantage.
- July 2023: Hexagon’s Mining division announced the acquisition of Canadian company HARD-LINE, one of the global leaders in mine automation, mine production optimization, and remote-control technology. HARD-LINE specializes in remote control solutions and network infrastructure, allowing for the tele-remote operation of hefty machinery from the control station in a safe area on the surface or underground, regardless of distance.
Underground Utility Mapping Market Leaders
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Hexagon AB
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GSSI Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc.
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Landscope Engineering Ltd
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Plowman Craven Limited
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Geospatial Corporation
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Underground Utility Mapping Market News
- March 2024: WSB LLC (“WSB”), one of the nation’s fastest-growing infrastructure engineering and consulting firms, partnered with 4M Analytics, the nation’s leading subsurface utility AI mapping and analytics solution. This partnership is intended to support infrastructure projects across the United States, focusing on data integrity and real-time digital delivery. Leveraging artificial intelligence, computer vision, and change detection techniques, 4M Analytics synthesizes, digitizes, and geo-locates millions of utility data sources into a single platform and visually validates each line using vertical and horizontal imagery dating back to the 1940s. This enables ‘real-time’ access to the utility landscape for infrastructure projects through an intuitive user interface. The mapping resources will decrease the time it takes to locate underground utilities for owners, civil engineering firms, general contractors, subsurface utility engineering firms, and many other utility stakeholders.
- February 2024: Exodigo announced that it would offer the accurate and complete subsurface maps needed to improve undergrounding processes for power lines as part of the Grid Overhaul with Proactive, High-speed Undergrounding for Reliability, Resilience, and Security (GOPHURRS) program led by the US Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E).
Underground Utility Mapping Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
- 1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET INSIGHTS
- 4.1 Market Overview
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4.2 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- 4.2.1 Threat of New Entrants
- 4.2.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
- 4.2.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- 4.2.4 Threat of Substitute Products
- 4.2.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
5. MARKET DYNAMICS
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5.1 Market Drivers
- 5.1.1 Emerging Technologies Combined With Utility Maps to Improve the Exploration Activities
- 5.1.2 Increasing Availability of Detecting Applications and Increased Return on Marketing Spending
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5.2 Market Challenges
- 5.2.1 Significantly High Maintenance Costs of Mapping Tools
6. IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE UNDERGROUND UTILITY MAPPING MARKET
7. MARKET SEGMENTATION
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7.1 By Component Type
- 7.1.1 Solutions
- 7.1.1.1 Ground Penetrating Radar
- 7.1.1.2 Electromagnetic Locators
- 7.1.1.3 Other Solutions
- 7.1.2 Services
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7.2 By End-user Industry
- 7.2.1 Public Safety
- 7.2.2 Oil and Gas
- 7.2.3 Building and Construction
- 7.2.4 Telecommunication
- 7.2.5 Electricity
- 7.2.6 Other End-user Industries
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7.3 By Geography***
- 7.3.1 North America
- 7.3.2 Europe
- 7.3.3 Asia
- 7.3.4 Australia and New Zealand
- 7.3.5 Latin America
- 7.3.6 Middle East and Africa
8. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
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8.1 Company Profiles*
- 8.1.1 Hexagon AB
- 8.1.2 GSSI Geophysical Survey Systems Inc.
- 8.1.3 Landscope Engineering Ltd
- 8.1.4 Plowman Craven Limited
- 8.1.5 Geospatial Corporation
- 8.1.6 Vivax-Metrotech Corp.
- 8.1.7 Maverick Inspection Ltd
- 8.1.8 Red Laser Scanning
- 8.1.9 Technics Group
- 8.1.10 multiVIEW Locates Inc.
9. INVESTMENT ANALYSIS
10. FUTURE OF THE MARKET
Underground Utility Mapping Industry Segmentation
Accurate information on existing underground utilities is required to plan and install new utilities and excavate existing utilities. The subsurface utility mapping market scope tracks the adoption of various solutions and services used by multiple end-use industries such as electricity, public safety, building and construction, oil and gas, telecommunication, etc. The report also focuses on the effects of the pandemic on the ecology of the utility mapping market. The scope includes the existing vendor landscape for significant market players.
The underground utility mapping market is segmented by component type (solutions and services), by end-user industry (public safety, oil and gas, building and construction, telecommunication, electricity, and other end-user industries), and by geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America).
| By Component Type | Solutions | Ground Penetrating Radar |
| Electromagnetic Locators | ||
| Other Solutions | ||
| By Component Type | Services | |
| By End-user Industry | Public Safety | |
| Oil and Gas | ||
| Building and Construction | ||
| Telecommunication | ||
| Electricity | ||
| Other End-user Industries | ||
| By Geography*** | North America | |
| Europe | ||
| Asia | ||
| Australia and New Zealand | ||
| Latin America | ||
| Middle East and Africa |
Underground Utility Mapping Market Research Faqs
How big is the Underground Utility Mapping Market?
The Underground Utility Mapping Market size is expected to reach USD 1.32 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of greater than 9.61% to reach USD 2.09 billion by 2029.
What is the current Underground Utility Mapping Market size?
In 2024, the Underground Utility Mapping Market size is expected to reach USD 1.32 billion.
Who are the key players in Underground Utility Mapping Market?
Hexagon AB, GSSI Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc., Landscope Engineering Ltd, Plowman Craven Limited and Geospatial Corporation are the major companies operating in the Underground Utility Mapping Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Underground Utility Mapping Market?
Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2024-2029).
Which region has the biggest share in Underground Utility Mapping Market?
In 2024, the North America accounts for the largest market share in Underground Utility Mapping Market.
What years does this Underground Utility Mapping Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the Underground Utility Mapping Market size was estimated at USD 1.19 billion. The report covers the Underground Utility Mapping Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Underground Utility Mapping Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Underground Utility Mapping Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 Underground Utility Mapping market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Underground Utility Mapping analysis includes a market forecast outlook to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
