What does “network tracing” allow users to do in a Utility Network?

Network tracing is a crucial function within a Utility Network that enables users to identify utility flow and connections. This process involves analyzing the paths through which utilities, such as water, electricity, or gas, can travel, and it also helps to reveal the relationships between different components of the network.

By executing a network trace, users can ascertain how utility services are distributed, pinpoint potential issues, and understand how various elements like valves, pipes, and connections interact with one another. This capability is invaluable for maintenance, planning, and optimizing the overall utility system, as it provides insights into how utilities flow through the network and where any potential disruptions or leakages may occur.

The other choices, while related to aspects of utility management and geography, do not directly pertain to the function of network tracing. Mapping geographical features pertains to spatial data representation rather than utility flow, storing utility data metrics relates to data management rather than tracing connections, and calculating environmental impact focuses on ecological assessments rather than network connectivity. Therefore, the ability of network tracing to clarify and visualize utility flow and connections makes it a vital tool in utility network management.