A Semantic Data Model for Interoperable Exchange of Test Trench Verification Data

Abstract: In the Netherlands, nearly 50,000 utility strikes occurred in 2024, costing over €57 million in direct repairs. Test trenches provide centimeter-accurate verification of underground utility positions, yet this valuable data remains trapped in organizational silos, leading to repeated excavations. This paper introduces UTT (Universal Test Trench), a semantic data model extending the Dutch IMKL standard for interoperable exchange of 3D verification data. Developed using OWL/RDF with SHACL validation constraints, UTT provides a unified vocabulary for test trench observations, positions, deviations, and measurement quality. Future work includes prototype implementation and field evaluation.