Connected Construction

New innovations in machine control are delivering highperformance, with advances to come showing future potential – Mike Woof writes In transportation, the potential for autonomous vehicles that operate without the need for a human driver is now being evaluated. A string of development projects are underway by an array of automotive and technology companies, sometimes in partnership with each other. In the mining sector, autonomous machines have been operating in underground facilities for 20 years and

Topcon claims that its HiPer VR GNSS receiver is compact, light and benefits from advanced GNSS technology. The firm says that the rugged design is built to withstand harsh construction environments. Using Topcon’s sophisticated GNSS chipset with Universal Tracking Channels technology, the HiPer VR tracks every satellite signal. The compact, rugged design also features an integrated IMU and eCompass. The HiPer VR can be used for static or kinematic GNSS post-processed surveys: as a network RTK rover with

A sustainably good road surface often depends on how well understood is the ground underneath the road’s route. Brian Jones* offers some best practice and advice for getting the most from ground-penetrating radar investigations Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is one of the most accurate non-destructive testing (NDT) methods available. To get the most from GPR surveying, it is absolutely essential to understand how GPR tools work and follow best practices when conducting surveys. Key areas to be aware o

Fugro, a geo-data specialist, is using the latest version of its Automatic Road Analyser (ARAN) in a new five-year pavement survey contract for Dutch highways. The contract, with an option to extend to 10 years, was awarded by the Dutch infrastructure agency Rijkswaterstaat. It includes the collection of surface condition and road measurement data from 8,600km of principal highways each year. The company’s Automatic Road Analyser - ARAN - which is adapted to meet European specifications and includes i

Trimble has introduced version 5.0 of Trimble Business Center. This merges two products, Trimble Business Center and Business Center - HCE, to provide surveying and civil construction customers with a complete office software solution. The combined software enables data interoperability between survey and construction workflows for more efficiency, time savings and data quality. The firm says that the package simplifies workflows and licensing for its customers, saving them time and money by providing a