WHAT'S UNDERGROUND: FAA, Atlanta International share lessons learned with latest runway project
A new 9,000-foot runway at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta was officially commissioned in May. This runway, said to be one of the most complex structures of its kind in the world, spans a major interstate highway and includes an 18.5 million cubic yard embankment. Here, FAA and airport officials share some insights learned along the way when it comes to putting in underground systems that can be easily traced.
Arizona Enacts Underground Utility Marking Legislation
A consensus bill governing marking of new active underground facilities was passed by both houses of the Arizona legislature this spring and then signed into law by Governor Janet Napolitano on April 25, 2005. This law requires that all new and active underground facilities installed in any real property after December 31, 2005, include a detectable underground location device unless the facility is capable of being detected from above ground with an electronic locating device.
Key Decision Points for FTTH Implementation
Fiber-to-the-home presents great promise along with myriad critical decisions as service providers seek to satisfy an exploding market demand for high speed communications
Florida Utility Marks Construction Progress
The Wastewater Operations Division of Charlotte County Utilities in Charlotte County, Florida, operates in a unique underground construction setting. The county is in the process of substantially expanding its utility infrastructure to serve thousands of platted residential lots and accommodate the demands of rapid population growth.
BellSouth Adopts Effective DSL Line Qualification Method
BellSouth has set aggressive goals for broadband service implementation in 2001, with plans to have more than 600,000 ADSL customers in service across the company's nine-state serving area by the end of the year. With slightly over 200,000 subscribers in place at the beginning of the year, and an estimated 40% of the installed plant ready for DSL service without rehabilitation, this DSL service expansion represents a challenge of significant proportions.
Cable Locating with Passive Markers
In telephone field work, it often takes substantially more time to locate and excavate a cable, underground splice point or other feature than it does to make the necessary repair or cable network change. The challenge is always to accomplish rapid and accurate locating in order to minimize digging effort, avoid unintentional damage, and provide maximum service to the customer.
Diagnosing DSL Cable Pre-Qualification Troubles
The last article in this series discussed the changing responsibilities of field technicians who are being required to handle pre-qualification of copper pairs for services such as internet connections, corporate networks, video distribution, and other sophisticated data communications applications. The required level of performance is determined, in part, by the category of broadband service to be provided by a pair.
Issues in Pair Qualification for Broadband Services
In this article we will review issues that are becoming increasingly important to field technicians as their responsibilities are expanded to include broadband services for internet connections, corporate networks, video distribution, and other applications.
Making the Transition from POTS To Voice and Broadband Services
In this article we will review issues that are becoming increasingly important to field technicians as their responsibilities are expanded to include broadband services for internet connections, corporate networks, video distribution, and other applications.
Cable Locating, Past, Present and Future
The first article in this series covered techniques for effective cable locating, and the importance of strong technical understanding, good equipment, and experienced judgement. In this second installment we will take a look at the sweeping changes that have taken place in telephone cable location over the past four or five decades, and speculate about underground location challenges in the future.
Responding Quickly to Buried Cable Problems
Telco managers must respond very quickly to service interruptions such as those caused by buried cable faults. The need for fast response to field problems has been intensified by growing competitive pressure as well as the increasing importance of telecommuni- cations to business. Dependable telephone and data communication service is an important element of daily business, even in residential areas.
Standing on Common Ground
In a speech before the U.S. Senate on January 22, 1999, Senator Trent Lott said, "Mr. President, the last Congress enacted legislation which protects our nation's vital underground infrastructure. Power cables, telephone lines, water mains and pipelines affect our daily lives, and it is essential that they are given the best protection possible. This legislation, based on S.1115, the Comprehensive One-Call Notification Act, does just that. It provides incentives for states to improve their notification systems -- systems which provide for accurate marking of underground facilities, and systems which prevent damage during excavation. This bill became law as part of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, TEA 21."
Pair Balance, an Important Outside Plant Test Issue
Good line balance is a key issue in determining the level of telephone service quality delivered to subscribers. In a properly balanced telephone pair, the electrical characteristics of the two conductors are closely matched.
BellSouth Adopts Effective DSL Line Qualification Method
BellSouth has set aggressive goals for broadband service implementation in 2001, with plans to have 600,000 ADSL customers in service across the company's nine-state serving area by the end of the year. With about 220,000 such subscribers in place at the beginning of the year, and an estimated 35 to 40% of the installed plant ready for DSL service without rehabilitation, this DSL service expansion represents a challenge of significant proportions.
The Power of Test Set Integration
A significant issue facing operating companies at the turn of the century is the challenge of managing an aging copper plant while at the same time addressing exploding subscriber demand for multiple lines and high-bandwidth services. This dramatic shift in outside plant management is further complicated by the loss of valuable human resources as experienced craftspeople retire and are replaced by new and sometimes less qualified people.
Under Surveillance
The Wastewater Operations Division of Charlotte County Utilities in Charlotte County, Fla., operates in a unique underground construction setting. The county is in the process of substantially expanding its utility infrastructure to serve thousands of platted residential lots and accommodate the demands of rapid population growth.
Municipality Marks New Pipelines for Future Access
The national cost for building, operating and maintaining water and wastewater piping networks is enormous and every municipality needs cost-effective means of handling pipeline installation, maintenance and renewal. Charlotte County, FL, faces a particular challenge in this regard. This Gulf Coast County grew from 27,000 people in 1970 to 157,000 in 2004 and is expanding its water and wastewater infrastructure to serve thousands of newly platted single-family and apartment lots.
