Utility Mapping and Digitalization of Underground Services
Every year, the lack of up-to-date information on underground utilities causes delays, unexpected costs and operational risks during maintenance, excavation and infrastructure development. At the same time, the spread of GIS, BIM and Digital Twin is increasing demand for reliable georeferenced subsurface data.
Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys meet these needs through accurate, fast and non-invasive knowledge of buried infrastructure. The availability of latest-generation multi-channel GPR systems places START4.0 among the few players in Italy able to carry out high-productivity Utility Mapping campaigns with proprietary instrumentation — supporting public bodies, utilities, infrastructure operators and companies in digitalizing buried networks through advanced utility-mapping workflows. These workflows are aimed at reducing the risk of interference, planning interventions, digitally managing assets and creating georeferenced databases that are interoperable with third-party platforms, ensuring high standards of accuracy, fast acquisition and operational scalability across complex urban, industrial and infrastructure contexts.
Who it's for
- Public bodies and territory managers
- Utilities and operators of buried technological networks
- Construction companies, contractors and infrastructure operators
- Engineering, design and works-supervision firms
- Companies and professionals working in preventive archaeology and geophysical surveys
- Freelancers and technical firms interested in renting or independently using professional GPR technologies
What we offer
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Activity planning
START4.0 plans survey campaigns to minimize interference with the operation of the assets and contexts involved — public roads, pedestrian areas, industrial sites or critical infrastructure — coordinating with the client and any network operators.
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Non-invasive GPR surveys
Depending on the size and characteristics of the area, START4.0 uses proprietary GPR systems: Stream DP, an assisted manual-traction solution for high-precision surveys; Stream UP, a system mounted on a dedicated vehicle for extensive, high-productivity acquisitions.
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Network verification and classification
To increase the reliability of the data acquired, surveys are integrated with: inspection of manholes and chambers; comparison with technical and as-built drawings; verification against available network-operator data.
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Data processing and delivery
Data is processed by expert technicians using specialist software and AI-based tools to produce: georeferenced maps; interoperable GIS layers; territorial databases; deliverables ready for planning tools and Digital Twin. Outputs can be provided in the reference system required by the client.
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National and international operations
START4.0 operates across the entire national territory, islands included, and can also support foreign clients in utility-mapping and subsurface-digitalization campaigns.
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Equipment rental
Professional GPR technologies are also available on a "dry hire" basis. Contact us for available configurations and pricing.
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Specialist training
Thanks to its partnership with GPR manufacturer IDS GeoRadar, START4.0 enables companies, professionals and public-administration technical staff to use GPR technologies independently through dedicated theoretical-practical training courses. Contact us for a training plan tailored to your experience and skills.
Case History
Municipal Public Administration
As part of a service commissioned by a municipal authority, worth approximately €140,000, to create a digital map of the urban subsurface, START4.0 contributed to the digitalisation of strategic areas of the city. These included a public square, the associated underpass, additional areas of interest and approximately 3 km of road network, integrating ground-penetrating radar surveys, LiDAR scanning and Mobile Mapping into a single geospatial database.
Initial Situation
The objective of the project was to build a digital model of the area to support the management of urban infrastructure and the future Digital City.
Solution
Ground-penetrating radar surveys played a central role, enabling utility networks, underground services and buried structures to be identified and mapped without invasive excavation. By integrating these surveys with high-precision georeferencing systems and three-dimensional surface surveys, it was possible to obtain a complete and consistent representation of the urban environment, both above and below ground.
The availability of reliable subsurface information is a strategic asset for planning works, designing new infrastructure, maintaining existing networks and reducing the risk of interference during excavation, thereby contributing to more efficient, safe and sustainable management of urban infrastructure.
Port System Authority
As part of a service commissioned by a strategic port authority for the digital and georeferenced mapping of port areas, START4.0 digitalised underground utilities and the main road networks across a total area of approximately 72,500 m². Ground-penetrating radar surveys, LiDAR scanning and Mobile Mapping were integrated into a single geospatial database to support the planning and management of the port estate. The total value of the project was approximately €115,000.
Initial Situation
The objective of the project was to build a digital model of the port areas to support port estate management, the design of infrastructure works and the future digital evolution of the port system.
Solution
The ground-penetrating radar surveys, carried out using IDS Georadar Stream UP and Stream DP multi-channel systems, enabled underground water, sewerage, gas and telecommunications networks to be identified without invasive excavation. The results were validated through the inspection of 50 manholes. Mobile Mapping with the Leica TRK 500 EVO completed the information framework with LiDAR point clouds and high-precision GNSS/INS data, providing a reliable and integrated representation of the subsurface and surface. This helped reduce the risk of interference with ongoing works and supported more efficient management of port infrastructure.
Hospital authority
As part of an innovation ecosystem development project, START4.0 carried out a 3D reality capture survey of the hospital area to support field testing of the URBANTECH mobility demonstrator. The total value of the project was approximately €69,000.
Initial Situation
The objective of the project was to create a three-dimensional digital model of the hospital area to support the testing of the URBANTECH demonstrator and the development of innovative smart mobility solutions in a healthcare setting.
Solution
The service integrated Mobile Mapping across 13 km of internal roads, portable and static laser scanning to map architectural barriers, historical and artistic heritage assets and areas within the hospital pavilion, together with a ground-penetrating radar survey for the preventive identification of underground utilities in a particularly critical area: the university hospital helipad. The acquired data provided the basis for subsequent BIM/MEP modelling, delivering an accurate and georeferenced information framework on site accessibility and utilities that were difficult to identify from historical plans.
The availability of integrated surface and subsurface data provided a strategic tool for planning accessibility improvement works and supported more efficient and safer management of the hospital infrastructure assets.