Methods and apparatus for managing locate and/or marking operations

Abstract

A holistic approach to management and oversight of locate and marking operations. Requests to perform such operations are assessed to allocate resources. In some examples, technicians are dispatched with process guides to facilitate performance. Various information regarding the performance of locate operations and their environs is acquired via improved intelligent instrumentation employed by technicians). A quality of operations (e.g., completeness, accuracy, efficiency) is assessed, corrective actions may be taken in essentially real-time as necessary, and information regarding operations and their quality assessments is archived for auditing purposes. Requesting parties are apprised of the status of ongoing operations, and given confirmation that operations have been performed and are completed. Requesting parties and/or other interested parties (e.g., excavators, facility owners, locate contractors, municipalities, regulators, auditors, damage investigators, insurance companies, etc.) also may be provided with detailed information regarding the performance of operations and quality assessment of same.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for managing a locate operation to identify a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area at a work site, the apparatus comprising:
 a communication interface;   a memory to store processor-executable instructions; and   a processing unit communicatively coupled to the communication interface and the memory, wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions by the processing unit, the processing unit:   A) controls the communication interface to receive first ticket information describing the locate operation to be performed, the first ticket information including image information and/or geospatial metadata relating to the dig area and/or the work site;   B) controls the communication interface to receive field information relating to the locate operation as at least partially performed and/or environmental information relating to the dig area and/or the work site; and   C) processes the field information and/or the environmental information to provide a quality assessment of the locate operation.