A real-world case study conducted by Ventia demonstrated the practical safety and productivity benefits of using digital utility data, boosting the potential of the BYDA Digital Utility Portal (BDUP) as a critical safety tool for construction planning and design.
The trial, undertaken in October 2025, was on an NSW nbn upgrade project, comparing the BDUP mapping tool with the existing Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) service. The aim was to understand workflow impacts, data needs and user confidence across both design and field-based roles.
During testing, BDUP was accessed via laptop, as mobile functionality using handheld devices is still in development. However, teams could submit and review requests onsite without returning to the office – an early indicator of the efficiency gains possible as the platform matures.
Safety identified as the greatest benefit
Ventia, a leading essential infrastructure services provider, identified improved safety as the most significant outcome of the trial. Faster access to consolidated, digital utility data reduced confusion when interpreting plans and supported clearer decision-making, helping to lower excavation and utility strike risk.
Ventia also highlighted the innovation potential of BDUP, noting that digitising asset data could enable safer, more accurate recording of asset locations over time.
“Digitising the asset data of Australia is an amazing initiative and will no doubt save lives,” Ventia said.
Time savings that matter on real projects
The case study recorded significant time savings when using BDUP compared with the standard BYDA process:
- 99.9% reduction in response time – reduced from three hours to 15 seconds
- 80% reduction in time from response to usable, collaborative plans – reduced from 15 minutes to three minutes.
While no additional time savings were observed for office-based plan checks due to the absence of mobile access, it is expected once BDUP is available on mobile devices, further onsite efficiencies are expected.
“Speed is one of the biggest benefits. Assets appearing within seconds will help with emergency activities,” Ventia said.
Usability and early value
Users involved in the trial highlighted several early usability benefits, including the ability to view all assets at once, improved spatial context, and clear layer-by-layer visibility of individual assets.
“The current BYDA service requires technicians to interpret each asset owner’s plan one at a time. BDUP allows us to see all assets at once,” Ventia said.
A critical safety tool – and what comes next
The trial confirmed BDUP’s potential as a critical safety tool, supporting faster, clearer and more coordinated utility planning across infrastructure projects. Ventia expressed interest in adopting BDUP on a longer-term basis as functionality continues to mature.
BYDA continues to advocate solutions to reduce utility strikes, and enabling productivity gains. This case study highlights what’s possible when utility data is digitised, integrated and made accessible at the point of need.
Join the BDUP 2026 Pilot Program
Before You Dig Australia is inviting organisations across the infrastructure, construction and utilities sectors to participate in the BDUP 2026 Pilot Program.
Participants will:
- Test the digital platform on live projects
- Explore how integrated utility data can improve safety, efficiency and confidence
- Provide practical feedback to help shape Australia’s emerging national digital utility platform.
If your organisation is ready to help shape the future of utility data – and play a role in improving safety outcomes across the industry – we invite you to express your interest in joining the BDUP 2026 Pilot Program.