UK signs Canadian collaboration

The UK and the government of the state of Ontario, Canada have signed a collaboration agreement to share the knowledge and technology behind the UK’s groundbreaking digital map of underground pipes and cables, the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR).

Ontario’s minister of Infrastructure, Kinga Surma, has met the UK Minster for Intellectual Property, Viscount Camrose, in bid to “deepen UK-Ontario research and technology ties.” They signed a Memorandum of Understanding to share the knowledge and technology behind NUAR at the Geospatial Summit in London last week. 

The UK government said the agreement “paves the way for the Geospatial Commission to share best practice and technology from NUAR with Infrastructure Ontario and to improve worker safety, reduce asset strikes and improve the accuracy of geospatial infrastructure data.”

Once operational, NUAR has been tipped by the UK government to deliver some £490m in economic growth each year through increased efficiency, reduced incidents of underground pipes and cables being accidentally damaged during street works and reduced disruptions for the public and businesses.