Damage prevention isn’t just about paint on the ground—it’s about precision. When you consider how many damages stem from inaccurate or incomplete locate information, the solution becomes clear: better data. That’s why utility teams are turning to parcel data insights to sharpen their workflows and stay a step ahead of risk.
Parcel data—property boundary and ownership information—has become an essential tool for utility companies and locate service providers who are striving to reduce risk, streamline workflows, and protect underground infrastructure. However, field technicians have highlighted that locating accurate parcel information through county websites is a time-consuming task, often delaying work and compromising data reliability.
By integrating parcel boundary data directly into our web and mobile applications, we can streamline this process. Field technicians can instantly access precise property boundaries, eliminating the need for external searches. This immediate access ensures they know exactly which property to mark, reducing errors and expediting the marking process.
In essence, this integration transforms a previously time-consuming task into a seamless operation, delivering substantial time savings and reinforcing the return on investment for our solution.
But why does this matter? Let’s step back and take a closer look at how parcel data is changing the game and why it should be a core part of your locating and compliance strategy.
Parcel data refers to geospatial information about land parcels—typically including:
This data is commonly sourced from local GIS systems and county assessors. But thanks to nationwide aggregators, this information is now available at scale and integrated into platforms such as KorTerra’s.
Historically, locators have relied on street addresses, cross streets, ticket descriptions, and dig boxes/polygons to identify locate areas. But these sources can be vague, inconsistent, or outright incorrect.
Parcel data offers a precise, standardized map view of land parcels, giving field technicians, managers, and GIS teams a common reference point for:
Here’s how this data becomes an operational asset.
1. Improved Locating Accuracy
Accurate locates start with accurate boundaries. With parcel data layered onto your mapping tools:
KorTerra’s Parcel Mapping feature lets users toggle property lines on/off directly in the map view, making it easy to align locates with parcel boundaries in real-time.
2. Streamlined Auditing and Compliance
Auditing locate requests is a growing focus for utility operators. Parcel data makes this process faster and more reliable:
This added layer of verification helps reduce liability and ensures that standards are being met at every step.
3. More Informed Field Decision-Making
Field teams are under pressure to make quick decisions with limited information. Parcel data empowers them to:
This level of detail helps prevent oversights that could lead to missed locates, utility strikes, or permit issues.
Parcel data isn’t just theoretical—it’s actively solving common field challenges every day. Here are a few real-world examples:
New Developments or Undocumented Areas
In rapidly growing communities, new lots may not appear on outdated base maps. Parcel data sourced from regularly updated GIS records helps teams stay current and accurate.
Shared Utility Corridors
Where utility easements span several parcels, clear parcel delineation helps teams identify which landowners and zones are involved, avoiding miscommunication.
Ticket Discrepancies
When ticket descriptions and actual geography don’t match, parcel overlays act as an additional referenceable layer to help teams make judgment calls in the field.
One of the most impactful shifts in recent years is the integration of parcel data directly into ticket management platforms. At KorTerra, our integration with parcel data enables teams to:
Toggle Parcel Layers in Real Time
Quickly switch between standard and parcel views for better situational awareness.
Click on Any Parcel for Key Details
Gain instant access to ownership, zoning, and land use information without needing to leave the platform.
Combine Parcel Data with Photo Plotting
Use parcel lines to validate images submitted with locate tickets, improving audit efficiency and reducing back-and-forth with field teams.
Map Boundary Alerts to Ticket Management
Use parcel edges to define locate areas more accurately, helping to ensure that 811 tickets are only located for the correct property—minimizing over- or under-marking.
This seamless experience means teams don’t have to jump between systems or guess at property details. They have what they need, where they need it.
At its core, parcel data provides the accuracy, clarity, and confidence that every locate request demands. Whether you’re in the field placing paint or in the office auditing tickets, access to up-to-date property boundaries and data makes your job easier and the network safer.
Key takeaways:
If your locate strategy doesn’t include parcel data, now’s the time to reevaluate. The future of damage prevention is precise, and parcel data is helping to pave the way.
KorTerra’s Parcel Mapping capabilities are available to all customers looking to strengthen their field accuracy and reduce risk. If you’re ready to explore how it fits into your locating workflows, reach out to us or connect with your account manager to get started.
KorTerra is the leading provider of damage prevention software, protecting billions of dollars in underground infrastructure. For over 30 years, the leading stakeholders in gas distribution, pipeline operation, telecommunications, electric distribution, contract locating, and city, county, and state governments have trusted KorTerra as their damage prevention solution. KorTerra helps mitigate risk and ensure the safety of field personnel by providing secure software platforms for processing 811 locate tickets, tracking and reporting asset damages, meeting regulatory compliance, and more. Explore additional solutions at korterra.com and follow KorTerra on LinkedIn.
Media Contact:
Paige Nygaard – KorTerra, Inc.
952.368.1911
marketing@korterra.com