NUAG proposes UK-wide web-based asset information sharing service

Building on its earlier work, NUAG is proposing a UK-wide web-based asset information sharing service, aimed at improving access to asset information by putting those who need the information in contact with those who have it. The proposed solution is not a central register or repository. It uses distributed architecture where all asset owners remain responsible for managing their response to enquiries for information, and for the security of their information.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), on behalf of Government, is supportive of NUAG’s proposals which, following consultation with BIS, now include a regional trial to prove the service, before nationwide implementation.

NUAG is proposing a regional trial of the ‘full’ system i.e. one with national capability, rather than a crude solution that would need further development later. The Specification is written to permit ‘future-proofing’ through upward connectivity and integration with future delivery systems that may incorporate outputs from the VISTA project funded by DTI, but this would need to be subject to development of a second specification, and search for funding and support.

The trial will be based on London (notionally the area bounded by the M25) and NUAG is in the process of engaging with utility, highways and contractor organisations within the Trial area to gain their commitment to and support for the trial. To date, well over 80% of key stakeholder groups have indicated their willingness to support and participate in the Trial.

Subject to availability of funding, NUAG is seeking to have a system in place to allow the Trial to start in October 2010, with a national implementation some twelve months later, to coincide with the planned launch of the revised Department for Transport Code of Practice for Recording Underground Apparatus in Streets.

NUAG presentation at AGI 2008 conference

Marc Hobell, Sector Manager for Utilities at Ordnance Survey, gave a presentation on NUAG to the 2008 AGI conference on 24 September. He outlined how NUAG hopes to help tackle the issues arising from incomplete and unstandardised asset records.

Download slides (PDF)

NUAG's third report published

NUAG has now published its third report, Defining the Technologiocal Capability necessary for Sharing and Displaying Asset Information. This document, published in August 2008, sets out the validated User Requirements for the web-based service, and describes how they were developed through a series of Focus Groups representing key stakeholders. These requirements will be used as the basis for:

• defining the ‘technological capability’ setting out in detail business process definitions with associated protocols and guidelines;


• proposing an implementation approach, incorporating recommendations for future ownership and management, and
  describing the nature of, and requirements for, a schema to enable future system development.


• describing the nature of, and requirements for, a schema to enable future system development.