6 Tips for Generating the Ultimate Locate Ticket

Real quick … here are a few more reasons why it’s important to create the best locate ticket. Utilities have changed – there are more lines and in unexpected places. Sometimes requirements or processes change, meaning more accountability for everyone. With more work and more crews, there’s more risk and mistakes cost more now than ever. And that’s why we want to ensure you’re up-to-date on ITE training and freshen up your knowledge with our Learning Center and YouTube videos. Even experienced pros can miss steps, and those mistakes can cost you — in time, money, and even safety. We don’t want that to happen.

1 – Follow the ticket size rules

These rules apply to all Dig Site Types and help you identify when another ticket is needed.

ONE MILE & INTERSECTIONS: One locate ticket may cover a total linear distance of up to one mile along any single street, and may cover up to 150 feet in either direction along crossing streets identified (listed) on the ticket.

5 ADDRESSES: One ticket may cover up to five individual addresses, lot numbers, building numbers, units, apartment numbers or structures for work being done on properties including the easement or right-of-way. The distance between the first address and last address must be one mile or less. Multiple addresses on a single ticket must be on the same road.

Exactix Tip: List the address range using the smallest and largest address numbers (i.e. 2555 – 2600) so the proper areas on the map are selected, ensuring the appropriate utilities are notified.

UNDEVELOPED LAND: One ticket may cover undeveloped land of no more than one square mile, provided the work boundaries are described on the ticket. This ticket may also include work to be performed on any single street or right-of-way bordering the area of undeveloped land. Work to be performed on any additional bordering street or right-of-way requires a separate ticket.

2 – Select the correct Dig Site Type

The following points about each Dig Site Type will help you create and identify a good ticket:

Street/Address Ticket: When digging at multiple addresses, enter the address range using the smallest and largest address numbers (i.e. 2555 – 2600). This ensures that the appropriate utilities are notified.

Between Intersections Ticket: Provide a starting AND ending intersecting street, so the locator can easily identify where to start and stop a locate. Why is this important? Exactix doesn’t know where to stop on the map and will select the entire street, which could be greater than one mile.

Intersection Ticket: Describe where at the intersection you’re digging. Don’t request the entire intersection when digging at a single point or small area. Instead, white line around the point or area so the locator only marks what is necessary. Note: Busy intersections can take several days to locate due to traffic and the number of utilities present.

If you’re working along a roadway and using the intersection as the starting point, remember to manually grid if your job exceeds 200 feet.

Latitude/Longitude Coordinate Ticket: These coordinates bring you to a single point. Providing the Nearest Intersecting Street and some basic instructions for getting to the coordinates can help the locator know they are in the correct place. There are a few reasons why the coordinates alone are not sufficient:

Locators don’t always have the technology to find the coordinates.

Transposing numbers is easy. The coordinates could take a locator to another street, city or even county.

Consumer GPS units are generally accurate only to within 50 feet.

3 – Working for a homeowner? Do some homework, so the locator can access the property

In the Working For field, enter the homeowner’s first and last name or the company that hired you to do the work.

Explain the process to the homeowner and where on the property you will be digging. Let them know locators will need access to the property to mark utilities with flags and paint. Ask questions and enter the information in the Remarks section on the ticket: Is there a gate code? If the locked gate has a security guard, make sure the homeowner informs the guard of potential utility locator visits. Is there a dog? Is there anything else that could prevent a locator from accessing the property?

4 – Provide a good field contact

The Field Contact should be someone who is familiar with the work site and can answer questions from the utility company or locator. You can use a phone/text number or email.

Phone: make sure it has a working voicemail and is checked regularly.

Email: make sure it is one that is checked regularly

5 – Provide an accurate Start Date

Start Date defaults to 2 full business days, not including the day you request the ticket. If you are not digging on the third business day, click the calendar icon and select the correct date. This helps utilities/locators prioritize jobs. Note: If digging isn’t starting for more than 30 days, wait to get your ticket. Requesting tickets early and then renewing bogs the system down and has locators spending valuable time locating tickets for projects that are not ready for marks instead of working with those excavators who really need the marks.

6 – Renew Right

Renew tickets when:

Digging will continue beyond the 30-day ticket life.

Ticket has expired, and you still have work to do.

Physical marks, flags or stakes are destroyed.

DON’T RENEW IF YOUR PROJECT IS ON HOLD. Renew 2 full business days before digging resumes.

Better info. Better marks. Safer digs.