How infrastructure field teams save time every day with what3words

Why standard addressing fails in the field

Standard addressing systems simply weren’t designed for infrastructure worksites. Postcodes often cover entire industrial complexes with multiple buildings and entrances, while directions like “near the red container at the far end of the site” become unreliable when new contractors or emergency crews are involved.

How what3words works for field operations

what3words is an easy way to identify precise locations. Every 3 metre square in the world has been given a unique combination of three random words: a what3words address. For example, the entrance to the what3words HQ is at /// filled.count.soap .

Anyone with the app or with what3words integrated into their GIS or asset management platform can quickly identify, share, and navigate to the exact location needed, eliminating confusion and ambiguity around site locations.

Real business stories: UK infrastructure in action

UK Power Networks | Rapid response and safety
UK Power Networks, one of Britain’s largest electricity distributors, equips teams with what3words for asset mapping and incident location. Peter Vujanic, Head of Safety, Health and Environment, reports that the introduction of what3words made a “significant difference to how quickly we can pinpoint a damaged overhead power line. This will help us to quickly make it safe, and carry out repairs” (2).

Crews no longer waste time with ambiguous directions as what3words provides precise location information that eliminates confusion in the field.

Network Rail | Faster incident reporting and mobilisation
Network Rail has integrated what3words into its incident reporting processes and rolled out the app across all 38,000 staff devices. This ensures that any incident can be pinpointed with complete accuracy.

During the Stonehaven derailment, a Network Rail worker gave 999 the exact incident location using what3words, enabling emergency teams to reach the site directly without confusion. By removing location uncertainty, response was faster and risk was reduced for all involved (2).

Skanska | Streamlined workflows, accurate reporting
Skanska, a leading construction and infrastructure company, has deployed what3words across staff devices and internal forms. According to Dylan Roberts, Director for Health, Safety and Wellbeing at Skanska, “Many of our people work in very remote and rural locations, often with poor mobile signal. Even in many urban places traditional postcodes are not always accurate enough to direct people to a specific point. We’re encouraging the use of the what3words app” (2).

Why efficiency matters for everyone

Recent industry commentary highlights that digital transformation of infrastructure is no longer a futuristic concept – it’s a practical necessity (1). With UK infrastructure spending focused on value for money and effective project delivery, organisations are under pressure to adopt technologies that streamline operations and reduce costs (3). In this environment, solutions that improve the accuracy of site navigation can deliver cumulative operational benefits.

With what3words:

• Asset and incident location can be easily pinpointed – reducing phone calls, delays, and frustration.
• Emergency and maintenance crews get to the exact spot the first time.
• Site handovers and reporting are standardised, helping to improve daily operations and support digital transformation goals.

Trusted by infrastructure leaders

Leading infrastructure companies such as Balfour Beatty, Thames Water, and Openreach have adopted what3words, integrating it directly into their existing GIS and asset management environments. These organisations have reported enhanced incident response, improved site navigation, and more streamlined operations – all accomplished without the need for a complete system overhaul or huge tech resource.

Implementation is straightforward: what3words is designed to be incorporated via platforms and workflows teams already use, enabling enterprise-wide adoption with minimal disruption. Find the full list of enabled software here .

Time saved adds up

When field teams can navigate directly to precise locations without confusion or callbacks, operational efficiency improves. Whether minutes saved per job or hours reclaimed per week, these small wins add up, freeing capacity for value-adding work and helping businesses better serve customers and communities.

Ready to see how your teams could benefit?

References

(1) Institution of Civil Engineers, “Digitally retrofitting infrastructure in 2025,” July 2025.

(2) what3words Health & Safety Brochure

(3) Infraspec, “Planned UK Infrastructure Spending for 2025,” May 2025.