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This report outlines the software development tasks associated with SHRP 2 Renewal Project R01, Encouraging Innovation in Locating and Characterizing Underground Utilities. The software has been implemented in a web-based application that includes a decision-support system to assist users with limited expertise in understanding the types of utility-locating equipment that are most appropriate to different utility-locating problems. This Selection Assistant for Utility Locating Technologies (SAULT) is combined in the web application with the following three databases that were also created during the R01 project: a database containing real-world examples of util- ity damage, their causes and impacts; a success-stories database containing examples of the suc- cessful application of the Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) approach to utility-locating activities; and a utility locator technology database that provides a database of specific utility- locating equipment organized by classes of locating technology. Chapter 1 provides the background to the R01 project and the timeline for the database and software development tasks. Chapter 2 outlines why the decision-support system was selected from the various alternatives available and describes the structure and components involved in creating the web-based selection assistant. The expert system approach uses the Jess Expert Sys- tem Shell, which is embedded in a Java applet. A brief description of each of the three associated databases is also provided in Chapter 2. The appendices provide a userâs manual for the website and selection assistant, as well as the expert system logic flowcharts used to build the software. By providing this decision-support tool and reference information in a readily accessible for- mat, it is hoped that this web application can be a valuable source of information and guidance for professionals who would like to understand how to approach utility-locating activities but do not have the technical knowledge or experience to make informed decisions just by reading the relevant literature and equipment information. This decision-support aid is not intended to replace the experience and expertise of a utility-locating professional. It is not practical to capture all of the nuances of specific site circumstances and equipment performance in a software application, and two experts may have different opinions on the efficacy of alternate approaches for a particular project. Nevertheless, being able to follow the general guidance of an experienced utility-locating professional represents an excellent starting point for understanding and ques- tioning the expected success rate of utility-locating activities. Executive Summary1
