Turing has partnered with Singapore’s Public Utilities Board (PUB) to innovate and implement a cutting-edge Geofencing system for real-time GPS monitoring of construction activities. Through the deployment of highly accurate GPS tags and Turing’s advanced real-time platform, automatic notifications are sent to construction vendors when they approach designated geofence boundaries. This proactive system prevents accidental drilling into underground sewer pipes, safeguarding critical infrastructure. By mitigating the risk of sewer damage, the platform helps reduce costly downtime and minimizes repair expenses, ensuring more efficient and sustainable operations.
The Challenge
Singapore’s Public Utilities Board (PUB) oversees an extensive sewerage network spanning over 400 km of sewers and deep tunnels across the island. This critical infrastructure is particularly vulnerable to damage from nearby underground construction activities. Any damage to these pipes caused by external construction entities can lead to pollution, pose public health risks, and result in potential contamination within the sewer network.
The Solution
To strengthen the protection of its sewerage network, PUB’s Water Reclamation Network (WRN) Department has pioneered a geofencing system that alerts both PUB and contractors when construction equipment moves too close to critical sewers and tunnels, helping to prevent potential damage.
A geofence is a virtual boundary mapped to a specific geographic area, either dynamically generated or predefined. When a location-aware device enters or exits this boundary, notifications are triggered—a practice known as geofencing (Wikipedia, 2024).
Turing developed a platform that integrates PUB’s sewerage network map with a digital geofence around these assets. Construction vendors are required to procure or rent a GPS device from an approved supplier and connect it to the geofencing platform. This setup enables real-time notifications to be sent to both PUB and the vendor if their boring rigs approach the geofence boundaries.
Beyond minimizing the risk of sewer damage, this geofencing system fosters a collaborative approach, encouraging the construction industry to share responsibility in safeguarding Singapore’s sewerage network.
The Benefits
Since the implementation of the Geofencing system in January 2023, there have been zero incidents of sewer damage—a testament to the system’s effectiveness in safeguarding Singapore’s extensive underground sewer network. To date, over 300 construction sites have integrated the Geofencing platform, and a total of 15,275 alerts have been issued to construction vendors when their equipment encroached on geofence boundaries.
This proactive approach enables PUB officers to take immediate action, coordinating with vendors in real time to prevent potential damage. As a result, the system significantly reduces response times, enhances operational efficiency, and minimizes costly property damage.
Beyond just protecting infrastructure, this ongoing collaboration between PUB and Turing underscores a shared commitment to innovation and sustainability in water management. By leveraging cutting-edge geospatial technology, PUB is not only ensuring the resilience of its sewerage network but also fostering a culture of shared responsibility with the construction industry to safeguard critical public assets for future generations
