How GEO SEARCH Digitalized Underground Infrastructure with ArcGIS

Understanding underground conditions has long been one of the biggest challenges in infrastructure development and maintenance. Construction crews face risks from unknown pipe locations, outdated records, and inefficiencies in data collection. GEO SEARCH CO., LTD., a leader in underground infrastructure visualization, is tackling these challenges head-on using geographic information system (GIS) technology.

Tools including ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Dashboards are integrated with its proprietary digitalization app called DIGS (Digital Infrastructure Guide and Survey). GEO SEARCH has transformed underground surveying into a digital-first operation, which improves efficiency, accuracy, and safety across Japan.

Traditionally, site conditions were recorded manually with sketches, field notebooks, and blackboards. This led to human error, lost information, and inefficiencies. Once excavation was complete and the site was backfilled, vital details about underground infrastructure were no longer accessible. Additionally, teams spent extensive time recompiling and verifying field data back in the office, which delayed projects and increased costs.

Furthermore, the lack of a centralized system meant that previous excavation data was rarely reused. This led to redundant digging, wasted labor, and the increased risk of striking underground utilities during excavation. As Japan needs more earthquake-resistant and disaster-resilient infrastructure, a better approach was critical.

To improve underground data collection, GEO SEARCH integrated ArcGIS Online into DIGS. The integration created a fully digital platform that enables crews to capture and manage the latest underground conditions. With ArcGIS Online, field teams can instantly geocode site conditions and link them to an interactive map, ensuring precise underground data visualization.

The DIGS posting app, developed in collaboration with Esri Japan, allows field teams to capture video recordings of excavation sites with a smartphone. Once recorded, this footage is uploaded to ArcGIS Online, where it is automatically converted into 3D geospatial data. Site managers use ArcGIS Dashboards to analyze digging data visually, including pipe locations, excavation depths, and underground conditions.

Data security and accessibility are managed through ArcGIS Online software’s user and security features. This allows project teams in different locations to access up-to-date excavation records. The automated, GIS-powered workflow has significantly reduced manual data entry, processing time, and errors. It also improves safety by minimizing unnecessary excavation work.

By incorporating ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Dashboards, GEO SEARCH has drastically improved productivity in underground infrastructure projects. Tasks that previously required an hour per excavation site now take five minutes. Data compilation, which once took one to two days, is now instant, eliminating the need for manual sketch cleanups. Work efficiency has increased by 50 percent, enabling faster decision-making and cost reduction.

Additionally, risks of striking underground utilities during excavation have been significantly minimized, because field teams now have access to the latest and most accurate underground maps before excavation work begins. The impact of these efficiency gains has been so profound that government agencies have recognized the DIGS app’s contribution to Japan’s infrastructure enhancement. The initiative has been highlighted in major publications and industry webinars, further cementing its role as a transformative solution for underground data management.

By embracing ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Dashboards, and GIS-powered automation, GEO SEARCH has successfully digitalized underground infrastructure management. This has eliminated inefficiencies, enhanced safety, and enabled smarter construction practices. As Japan continues to improve its infrastructure, GEO SEARCH’s ArcGIS-driven approach stands as a blueprint for the future of underground mapping and disaster resilience—proving that when you connect data to location, the invisible becomes visible.

Beyond construction, GEO SEARCH sees a future where underground maps powered by ArcGIS serve as a foundation for earthquake-proofing and disaster mitigation efforts. By continuously accumulating and refining underground utility data in ArcGIS Online, GEO SEARCH is creating a nationwide digital twin of underground infrastructure. As interest grows, applications for DIGS are expanding beyond civil engineering into new fields, such as archaeology, disaster response, and urban planning. The company is now exploring AI-powered spatial analysis to further enhance underground visualization and predictive modeling.