Please note: The algorithm descriptions in English have been automatically translated. Errors may have been introduced in this process. For the original descriptions, go to the Dutch version of the Algorithm Register.

WIBON

The algorithm calculates the probability of damage for an excavation notification. The algorithm provides information that helps an inspector assess whether an excavation notification is risky.

Last change on 18th of June 2025, at 14:09 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0
Publication category
Impactful algorithms
Impact assessment
DPIA, IAMA
Status
In use

General information

Theme

Economy

Begin date

2022-02

End date

2024-11

Contact information

www.rdi.nl/contact

Link to publication website

www.rdi.nl/onderwerpen/kabels-en-leidingen

Responsible use

Goal and impact

The National Digital Infrastructure Inspectorate (RDI) oversees the Information Exchange Above Ground and Underground Networks and Networks Act (WIBON). The RDI monitors compliance with regulations aimed at a careful excavation process to prevent excavation damage during mechanical excavation work.


The CROW 500 guideline is an important starting point for implementing the careful excavation process. This guideline was drawn up by all those involved in the excavation chain and details the conditions for careful excavation.


One component of the CROW 500 is the submission of an excavation notification to the Land Registry via the KLIC system. Without this excavation notification, excavation work may not be started. Information is provided from the Land Registry about the cables and pipelines in the subsurface. This information is called the area information (KLIC). The area information must always be present at the excavation site.


The aim of this project is to develop an algorithm capable of predicting where, when and by whom excavation damage may occur. These predictions will serve as guidelines for WIBON (Wet Informatie-uitwisseling Bovengrondse en Ondergrondse Netten) inspectors, enabling them to be information-driven. By focusing on locations where damage is likely to occur, inspectors can operate more efficiently.


Considerations

The advantage of using an algorithm that calculates the probability of excavation damage is that inspectors can make targeted visits to certain excavation sites. This is because it is not possible to visit all excavation sites. The algorithm can then help to quickly choose between visiting excavation sites. However, a high probability of digging damage does not automatically mean a high risk, because the impact of the damage is not calculated. So inspectors do not just look at probability of damage, but also take other factors into account. Thematic inspections are also carried out. For all excavation reports, the probability of excavation damage is calculated in the same way. A disadvantage is that the model does not take into account the impact of the damage and any other factors influencing the probability of excavation damage that are currently not included in the model.

Human intervention

The outcome of the algorithm is a probability of digging damage. Inspectors can use this for prioritisation, but always decide where to go on inspection. All excavation reports are available to inspectors & besides the algorithm's predictions, other external factors also influence the decision to visit an excavation report. These include practical consideration (location), type of excavation activity, experience and expertise of the inspector and signals from society that may justify an inspection.

Risk management

The quality of the model's predictions of the probability of excavation damage is evaluated annually. The Land Registry delivers the actual excavation damage data once a year, during which the model is re-trained. Furthermore, any legal and social changes are examined and, if necessary, discussed and adjusted in consultation with the users of the model.

Legal basis

Above-ground and underground grids and networks information exchange act

Links to legal bases

WIBON: https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0040728/2024-01-01

Impact assessment

  • Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)
  • Impact Assessment Mensenrechten en Algoritmes (IAMA)

Operations

Data

The primary source for the model is KLIC reports from the Land Registry (https://www.kadaster.nl/producten/woning/klic-melding?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5bTblYibjAMVeqWDBx2cZghmEAAYASAAEgLnDfD_BwE). Cable owners and network operators have to provide information about underground cables and pipes to the Land Registry. The Kadaster aggregates this information. Those carrying out excavation work are obliged to report excavation work to the Land Registry with a KLIC notification. With this notification, performers receive area information about the location where they want to carry out an excavation. This exchange of information can help prevent damage during excavation work. These KLIC notifications are provided to the RDI by the Land Registry and contain details of the excavation notification and excavator used in the model. A second source is the excavation damage figures provided annually from the Land Registry. Finally, additional sources used include: Land use (CBS), soil type (BRO) and tree data (RIVM)

Links to data sources

  • Bodemgebruik (CBS): https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/dossier/nederland-regionaal/geografische-data/bestand-bodemgebruik,
  • Basisregistratie Ondergrond(BRO): https://basisregistratieondergrond.nl/inhoud-bro/registratieobjecten/modellen/bodemkaart-sgm/,
  • Bomen in Nederland (RIVM): https://data.overheid.nl/dataset/14394-bomen-in-nederland

Technical design

The algorithm is an XGBoost machine learning algorithm, this algorithm is particularly suitable for structured data in tables. It combines multiple weak models to eventually arrive at a better model where residuals (errors) of the current model are iteratively corrected with training a new model. The algorithm uses excavation notification data (e.g. date, client, excavator, polygon, cables and pipes theme), excavation damage data (e.g. date, location , repair cost, type of net), cables and pipes characteristics, soil data & RIVM's tree map. The target (what will be predicted by the algorithm) is a score indicating the probability of damage per excavation report.

The model works by finding relationships between the features and the target. Based on these calculations, the model determines which excavation reports have an increased probability of excavation damage.

External provider

Internally developed

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