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Underground marking system for Shanghai World Expo site

When the 2010 World Exposition opens on a two-square-mile site in Shanghai, China's largest city, the Expo's vast network of underground gas pipes will be tracked predominantly by radio frequency identification (RFID) from 3M.

As part of its site preparation activities, Shanghai Pudong Gas Company has begun installing 3M Dynatel Electronic Marking System (EMS) `marker balls' that use RFID to transmit the identity and precise location of pipes, valves, bends, T-connectors and other components of buried infrastructure assets. The information is vital in avoiding excavation accidents and ensuring the efficient placement, relocation and management of those assets.

3M's EMS marker balls will be supplemented by a third-party's additional technologies, GIS (geographic information systems) and GPS (global positioning systems), to cover all of the complex needs of the huge project.

"It is great to see 3M track and trace technology play a significant role in preparing the infrastructure for this important international event," says Lem Amen, vice president for 3M Track and Trace Solutions. "Identifying underground assets is another entry on the growing list of practical applications for RFID-based track and trace solutions. We look forward to expanding our leadership position in this important emerging technology."

Corey Willson, business development manager for 3M Dynatel Locating and Marking, says Shanghai Pudong Gas chose the 3M Dynatel RFID EMS markers following a trial and evaluation of the technology on approximately one kilometre of buried polyethylene pipe.

"The engineers found that it was an accurate and efficient solution to the problems they had in the past with tracer wire, which was frequently lost," says Willson. "Ultimately, they decided that an infrastructure project of this enormous scope and complexity required a combination of EMS plus GIS and GPS for maximum speed and efficiency is managing underground assets."

The 2010 World Expo, scheduled for May through October, will take place along the banks of the Huangpu River in downtown Shanghai, between the Nanpu and Lupu bridges, an area comprising 5,53 square kilometres. The infrastructure will require 21 kilometres of mostly polyethylene pipe.

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