Going into the third quarter, many contractors report an uptick in infrastructure projects getting underway funded by the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. As contractors prepare to bid, consider new construction technology to meet precision requirements and maximize productivity. Here are three recent developments in construction technology to help you meet the demands of these new projects.
1. Intelligent paving equipment and construction technology
The paving and asphalt market has experienced significant growth over the last few years and with the new funding for roads and bridges, there are no signs of slowing down. However, contractors are looking at tighter agency specifications, smaller bid margins, and a challenging labor market. Manufacturers like the WIRTGEN GROUP have responded to this need by developing more fuel-efficient cold milling machines like the W120Ri and integrating machine control features to assist less experienced operators.
GPS technology has also advanced where cloud-based machine monitoring software can now measure accuracy within a millimeter in real time. Companies like Topcon leverage the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) for horizontal accuracy with a rotating laser for vertical accuracy.
Contractors building roads can integrate machine control systems with site management software to increase roadbuilding consistency and productivity.
2. Precise and semi-autonomous equipment technology
While the industry focuses on getting enough skilled labor to meet the expected building demands, many manufacturers have developed equipment that can be semi-autonomous. Today, equipment like large wheel loaders and pile drivers can be controlled remotely. Semi-autonomous pile drivers help maximize operator consistency on solar panel installations where piles and depths must be in precise locations for the solar panel to operate at its highest capacity. Semi-autonomous wheel loaders allow one operator to run multiple machines in load and carry applications. Both examples show how semi-autonomous equipment technology can improve safety on job sites and allow more candidates to be equipped to handle the job as machines are operated from an office and not in the field.
3. Integrated fleet management technology to monitor equipment and job sites
Many companies like Topcon, John Deere and WIRTGEN Group have been working on developing software solutions to integrate the software with cameras and sensors on equipment to automatically generate summary reports on materials, people, and equipment. From these reports, contractors can use the fleet management software to prepare insights about a project’s development, improve its status visibility and monitor key performance indicators like the current number of cubic yards paved. When software is integrated into the machine control and monitoring features, contractors access vital job status info in real-time when they need to send regular reports to local and state officials.
In 2023, contractors are more open than ever to onboard technology solutions in an ever-changing market, as one factor remains the same — the need to be consistently productive.
To view additional information and quickly sort programs funded under the IIJA by fields like amount, eligible recipient, or program name, visit Build.gov. See roads and bridges projects, reference the DOT’s reference this Notice of Funding Opportunities. Applicants for funding should consult program-specific guidance. For additional information and to apply, visit Grants.gov.
Senior Vice President of Equipment Dennis Howard focuses on all aspects of RDO’s fleet management. Check out more from The Track, a web series delivering the latest news about the equipment and construction market.
