Buried Duct Network for Utility Cables along Roads and Highways: Results of Field Trials

The proposed buried duct network (BDN) for utility cables (e.g., electric power, telephone, cable) represents a departure from conventional buried construction methods of placing cables directly in a trench along the road. The shortcomings of conventional direct-buried construction methods can lead to road damage or safety hazards, including the risk of gas or power line strikes, during reconstruction activities. By contrast, the BDN provides an opportunity for conveniently and safely accomplishing cable upgrades at a low incremental cost to the utilities or their customers. Such a system encourages and supports the installation, maintenance, and expansion of belowground utilities; facilitates their location; and minimizes construction difficulties and hazards, including the proliferation of pole lines. Utility poles represent a significant hazard, often resulting in death and injuries during collisions with motor vehicles. The development of the BDN has been supported and funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation under the Small Business Innovation Research program. The research effort was described at two TRB annual meetings and numerous subsequent industry events. As a result of such broad dissemination of information, accompanied by significant development effort, the basis for the widespread implementation of the BDN has been established, including commercially available hardware and guidelines for its application provided by ASCE. In particular, BDN has been successfully installed in several field trials in permanent applications, confirming its feasibility and demonstrating its overall practicality. BDN helps meet objectives of the national transportation organizations (AASHTO, FHWA).