Ticket (Location) Size Requirements

Overview

In late 2018 the California notification center boards (DigAlert and USA North 811) created the Ticket Continuity Committee comprised of a mixture of board members and staff from each center.  The purpose of this committee was to create standards between the centers to help members and excavator that work in both service areas to have a uniform platform.  The first task the committee was given included one standard ticket format that members receive and agreeing to a standard set of ticket types.  That was completed and went into production in March 2019.  The next task the committee was given included a standard on ticket size limits or the maximum size of a work area on one ticket.  By both standardizing and limiting the sizes helps reduce damages, prevent delays on jobs, helps locations (tickets) get marked on time and again, makes it uniform across California.

Maximum Ticket Sizes (Location policies)

 1/2 linear mile maximum

 Locations larger than 1/2 mile should be broken up into 1/2 mile segments at intersections when practical

 When intersections are not practical or available, footage will be used instead.  Example: Both sides of Main St from 1st St E/For 1/2 Mile

 Distance from road into property should be specified and cannot extend so far that it continues into properties that face other roads or into other roads completely

 Single addresses known as parcels that are bigger than 1/2 mile are exempt from this rule

 Locations in #2 are exempt from this rule

 2 linear mile maximum on freeways or railroad tracks

 Freeways are defined as a road that has on and off ramps

 Locations larger than 2 miles should be broken up into 2 mile segments at exits, milepost markers and/or cross streets when practical

 When exits, milepost markers and/or cross streets are not practical, footage will be used.  Example: Both sides of I-15 from Main St N/FOR 2 Miles

 Intermittent locations

 Intermittent locations are defined as street signs, power poles, trees, soil borings, etc

 If possible, the number of locations should be specified on the ticket and each location be marked and numbered (in white) in the field.  The number should correspond to the number of locations on the ticket.

 Locations that are technically intermittent but are very close to each other may be considered continuous and may be marked with starting and ending points

 County lines

 Locations that enter into more than one county must be broken up into one ticket per county

 Bounded areas

 Locations are limited to 1/2 square mile

Locations within boundaries cannot contain any named public streets

 Internal roads, private roadways, private driveways, trails or other unnamed roads are exempt

 Exceptions

 Center supervisory staff may allow exemptions to any rule when warranted by the project, location and/or circumstances

 All tickets that fall outside of these rules have been pre-approved by supervisory staff

 Existing tickets issued prior to the effective date above are grandfathered in and will not be re-done to comply with these rules

 Existing tickets where streets were not present when issued but after a map update appear are grandfathered in and will not be re-done to comply with these rules