Application of blockchain to underground utilities

Blockchain technology enables encrypted and secure logging and transactions for information and data. This technology is expected to revolutionize computing in several areas, mainly where centralization is unnatural, and privacy is important. We are driven by circumstance and the complexity of underground utilities, which need measures to record information, secure data, and utilize new technologies with recorded information and store it into a secure digital platform. The platform must be able to deal with different types of files and documents with high efficiency and workability. Current problems due to uncertain information regarding the location of existing underground utilities often leads to striking of such utilities. This study describes blockchain technology and a proposed application to manage infrastructure utilities. The paper compares blockchain with Underground Infrastructure Management (UIM) and One Call System 811, and the potential advantage of this technology to manage underground utilities. Potential integration with blockchain and UIM is described to maximize infrastructure sustainability in underground utilities with respect to security and management. The research presented is focused on exploring the possibilities that blockchain has to offer with regard to protection of underground utilities.