Pole Attachments, Attributes & Analysis gives you remote visibility into the equipment mounted on overhead poles in your 4M project. 4M automatically detects and structures the equipment attached to each pole in your project area—transformers, risers, splice enclosures, terminals, light arms, cross-arms, and more—surfacing it in an interactive attribute panel and a dedicated Pole Analysis view.
From a single panel, you can explore individual poles in detail, filter and compare across hundreds of poles at once, and understand network configuration without leaving your desk.
This gives T&D planners, asset managers, and field teams remote visibility into overhead network conditions, with sharper data for load analysis, clearance planning, and OH-to-UG transition work.
How it Works
Object Detection runs automatically when you create a project in 4M. Poles and their attached equipment are typically available within 1–2 hours of project creation. You'll receive a notification and email when detection is complete.
Once Object Detection is complete, poles can be viewed on the project map along with other utility objects. The pole icon is red for Power, Orange for Communication, or split when the pole is joint-use. The number attached to the icon indicates how many pole attachments have been identified. Pole data is accessible in two ways:
Pole-by-pole detail — Click any pole on the map to open its attribute panel and view the full inventory of detected attachments and dimensions.
Pole Analysis — Open the Pole Analysis view to see, filter, and compare every detected pole across your entire project area in one table.
Step 1: View an Individual Pole
Click any pole object on your project map to open its attribute panel.
Click View Attachments to open the image and view the visual evidence, utility sectors, and estimated height.
Below, you’ll see the Pole Analysis section to view the pole schematic — a visual cross-section showing the communication and supply zone boundaries, with inferred top and bottom heights for each space.
Below the analysis, you’ll see the Detected Attachments, with a list of the attachment types identified on the pole.
Step 2: Analyze All Poles in Your Project
In the Pole Analysis section, click View all poles to scan and compare every detected pole across your project in one view.
The table lists every detected pole with columns for each attachment type, height, and other attributes.
Use the dropdown filters to narrow results by sector, within ROW, attachment type, pole height, or available space.
In the table, click any row to navigate directly to that pole on the map.
Why It Matters: Use Cases for Pole Attachments, Attributes, and Analysis
Pole Attachments give T&D planners, asset managers, and GIS teams remote access to overhead network intelligence that previously required field visits. With this data in 4M, you can:
Remote Pole Inventory
Assess what's on poles across your entire project area without dispatching field crews. Filter by transformer count, splice enclosures, or estimated height to build a remote inventory, and use the results to prioritize field verification where it matters most.
OH-to-UG Transition Planning
Identify OH-to-UG transition points by filtering for Electric Risers across the project. View each riser pole's full attribute set, including estimated height and co-located attachments, to assess complexity before planning the conversion.
Feeder Design and Capacity Assessment
Use cross-arm detection and transformer counts to understand distribution circuit loading and configuration across a corridor. With supply space detection, teams can assess available headroom for additional conductors without a site visit.
Communications Network Planning
For CATV, fiber, and telecom teams: use communication space detection to identify clearance constraints and expansion opportunities. Filter for poles with slack loops or splice enclosures to quickly locate future connection points.
Pre-Construction Scoping
Before mobilizing crews, review the pole attachment inventory for a work zone to scope labor, equipment, and permit requirements. The Pole Analysis table lets you export a summary of all poles and their attributes for use in downstream planning tools.
GIS Integration (Coming Soon)
Once GIS export is available, users will be able to download standardized GIS files of pole attributes and attachments for seamless integration into ArcGIS, QGIS, and asset management systems. See the roadmap section below.
Questions? Reach out to your Customer Success Manager for assistance.