New York City targets buried utility conflicts with high-security digital map
(UI) — New York City is developing a highly restricted digital map of its underground infrastructure aimed at reducing construction overruns and improving emergency response, according to reporting by AOL.
City officials say the initiative would create a centralized, technology-driven view of buried water lines, gas pipes and electrical systems—assets that are currently scattered across multiple agencies and private utilities. Unexpected encounters with uncharted infrastructure regularly delay projects and drive up costs, officials said.
The proposed system would allow authorized city employees to request underground data tied to a specific project. That information would then be temporarily compiled into a three-dimensional visualization and deleted once the work is complete or access expires. Officials say the approach is designed to limit long-term data storage and reduce security risks.
City leaders say the decision to tightly control access reflects concerns that a permanent, comprehensive underground map could be misused if it fell into the wrong hands. As a result, the system is being designed so data is not stored in a static, centralized database.
Beyond construction planning, officials say the map could significantly improve emergency response. First responders currently rely on paper records and fragmented maps during crises, a process city officials describe as inefficient and prone to error.
The project is being led by the city’s operations and construction agencies and will require coordination with major utility providers, as reported by AOL, including those responsible for power, gas and transit infrastructure.
The city secured a $10 million federal grant in 2022 to support development of the system, though planning for the effort began under the previous mayoral administration. Officials say the goal is to modernize how underground data is shared while maintaining strict security protocols.
City officials expect the underground mapping system to be ready for rollout in early 2028.
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