1. What is the "View Sources for Utility Lines" feature?
This feature allows users to see the original source of each utility line displayed in the platform. To view this, click on a specific line in a project, and a pop-up will appear with information about the utility line. Scroll down the pop-up, and you can see Data Source, which displays the source type(s) from which the line was sourced.
Source Type | Description |
Public Records | Line derived from public records |
Public Documents | Line digitized from public engineering drawings or plan sets. |
Generated by 4M | We use AI and proprietary data to analyze aerial and satellite imagery, identify surface objects and indicators, and examine land features to determine this utility line's most likely location. |
Customer Data | Provided or uploaded directly by the customer. |
For lines derived from Public Records or Public Documents, 4M displays the source name (when available) and provides a snapshot or excerpt from the original source document within the relevant project area. To view this, click on View Sources to the right of Data Source in the pop-up.
A line’s source helps users assess credibility and context during planning, validation, and stakeholder review. The visual reference helps users understand the basis for the line’s placement and evaluate its credibility.
2. What does "Generated by 4M" mean?
Lines marked as "Generated by 4M" are created by analyzing satellite and aerial imagery to detect surface indicators (like manholes or valves) and combining those findings with AI and mapping expertise. These are internally generated by 4M to determine the utility line's most likely location and to fill in data gaps or validate uncertain segments.
3. Why do some lines show “Verified Source (Name Unsolicited)"?
Some validated sources cannot be publicly named due to licensing or restricted-use sources. While these sources are trusted and validated by 4M, we are not permitted to disclose their names due to legal contract agreements.. These are clearly labeled with a tooltip explanation.
4. Are lines from blue prints or construction drawings labeled separately?
Not yet. Lines drawn by analysts using blueprints or drawings currently fall under the category of utility lines Generated by 4M. Attribution to specific blue prints is on the roadmap.
5. Why don’t I see all the sources associated with a line?
To keep the experience clear, only the most reliable, vetted source is shown for each line. Other sources that don’t meet confidence thresholds are not shown. 4M uses AI to rank sources by historical accuracy and reliability, which are continuously validated by experts and users.
6. Can I filter or search lines by source type?
Not yet. While each line includes a source label, filtering capabilities are under consideration for the future.
7. Can I understand how a line was inferred by 4M?
Public Records / Documents: Visual references and source names are available.
4M Proprietary: A high-level explanation of the line creation process by 4M is provided. (See the 4M Proprietary question above)
Restricted Sources: Disclosure is not available (see Verified Source question above), but the source is verified.
8. Can source information be downloaded in bulk, similar to owner data?
This is not currently available.
9. Will customer-uploaded data be displayed in Data Sources or View Sources?
That’s planned. Improvements to the "Bring Your Own Data" feature will allow in-app source visibility soon.
10. How current are the data sources?
The sources shown in 4M are verified and were collected (mostly) within the last 5–7 years.
11. What does “trusted source” mean?
Trusted sources are verified by 4M’s mapping experts as being accurate and relevant. Low-quality sources are currently excluded from display.
12. Can I get a downloadable list of sources by line ID?
Not at this time. Bulk access to source files is restricted due to licensing concerns.