Connected Construction

Software specialist Bentley Systems has announced the project finalists in the 2011 Be Inspired Awards competition and the four winners of the 2011 Be Inspired Special Recognition Awards. The awards honour the extraordinary work of Bentley users improving and sustaining the world's infrastructure. Five independent panels of jurors, comprising accomplished Bentley users and distinguished industry experts, selected the 59 finalists and the Special Recognition Awards candidates from nominations submitted by 27

Liebherr claims its wide range of Litronic control system featuring CANUS software ensures construction projects are delivered on time and to budget. The system’s PDE data recording unit logs information such as depth, suspension levels, drilling speed and geometry. It then displays it in real-time via a colour touchscreen in the operator's construction machine cab. Due to constant awareness of the working process, the operator is able to adapt the PDE unit to suit changing environmental conditions. PDE rec

ESRI is developing a comprehensive highway data maintenance and linear referencing solution scheduled for release in the fourth quarter of 2010. Aimed at highway departments, state departments of transportation, and national roadway administrations, the company says it will provide an integrated set of tools and functionality that allows agencies to easily maintain highway geometry, their associated multiple linear referencing systems, and complex roadway features

Greater precision is helping blur the boundaries between GIS technology and design software While GIS map based technology has extended its range across an ever more universal spectrum of uses in the highways sector, it is increasingly showing weaknesses for engineering purposes. It is very often not accurate enough. This has not mattered previously because the GIS tool has been seen essentially as an automated version of paper based systems from the design department's point of view. Where engineers

An innovative approach to the management of utilities works is the result of a partnership that has produced the Intelligent Trench. This novel underground mapping solution is also being combined with PelicanCorp's beforeUdig service to deliver a comprehensive and accurate national record-sharing service for underground assets in the UK. The new no-charge service allows local authorities and contractors to use the Intelligent Trench portal to access utility plan information directly from the portal's data b

Chris Bradshaw, Autodesk's vice-president for the Infrastructure Solutions division spoke to World Highways. The launch of the fourth version of its Civil 3D design software early this year will see software maker Autodesk getting serious about its road and general civil engineering package. Bigger projects can be handled in the 2008 version, and a range of new functionality is being added. "Though not everything we would like yet," said Chris Bradshaw, Autodesk's vicepresident for the Infrastructure S

Leica Geosystems has launched v3.0 of its Leica PaveSmart 3D system, which is designed specifically for concrete and asphalt paving and milling applications. This upgraded package is now said to support a wider range of paving equipment and applications than before. PaveSmart 3D v3.0 will be available late March 2012 through Leica Geosystems’ direct sales and approved paving solution distribution channels, including GOMACO.

TomTom has announced a partnership with Delcan Corporation in which historical traffic data will be used for the Strategic Highway Research Program 2 (SHRP 2), which is managed by the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies.