Pave, Maintain Safely

From Asphaltpro Staff

While the June product gallery department will continue AsphaltPro Magazine’s focus on iron and services for the paving and pavement maintenance contractor launched around the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 tradeshow and conference in Las Vegas, we’ve seen some important releases between the March event and press time. For example, the researchers at University of Houston and Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, published in a recent Applied Sciences journal, “ViPER+: Vehicle Pose Estimation Using Ultra-Wideband Radios for Automated Construction Safety Monitoring.”

Those scientists—Alireza Ansaripour, Milad Heydariaan, Kyungki Kim, Omprakash Gnawali and Hafiz Oyediran—found the ViPER+ safety monitoring system for construction sites accurately tracked workers’ locations on job sites. Here’s part of the press release they shared with media April 20.

“The point of our research project was to enhance safety of workers and equipment on a construction site by tracking their location,” said Ansaripour, a computer science doctoral student at UH and first author of the study. “By tracking their location, we can monitor location-based policies related to the safety of workers and equipment in construction sites.”

These location-based safety policies are created during the planning stage of the construction site such as when Internal Traffic Control (ITC) plans are made. These policies define safe areas for workers and equipment or define a safe distance between them when equipment is operating in the construction site. ViPER+ automates the monitoring of these policies and detects any violations of the policies while workers and equipment are working.

ViPER+ uses ultra-wideband technology for location tracking. “These radios use large bandwidths to communicate, which enables them to perform location tracking more accurately compared to other wireless radios,” Ansaripour said. “This was the technology we used to track the locations of workers and equipment.”

The team’s ViPER+ system overcomes non-line of sight situations. These are instances in which trucks, construction loaders and other equipment block the signal between the transmitter and receiver in ultra-wideband radio transmissions.

Ansaripour and his colleagues implemented a correction method in their localization, or location tracking algorithm to reduce the error caused by non-line of sight.

TESTING VIPER+ IN CONSTRUCTION ZONES

ViPER+ is an updated version of the group’s initial system ViPER. The greatest difference between the two is the enhanced location tracking on ViPER+, which is more accurate in non-line of sight situations.

The team tracked locations through tags and anchors. Tags are small ultra-wideband radio transmitters, mounted to workers and vehicles to monitor their locations. Anchors are ultra-wideband receivers that receive signals from tags. The researchers then collected data from anchors to their computer server and estimated the location of vehicles and people in a construction site.

They tested their system twice in actual construction zones in Houston that were cordoned off for their experiment. But instead of real construction workers, students had to play that part.

“In our evaluation, all four construction workers had tags mounted. We also had one vehicle, either a truck or bulldozer with multiple tags on it, and another static vehicle was used to create a nonline of sight situation.”

The first evaluation was in 2019 when researchers set up tags in an area measuring about 8,600 square feet called the tracking zone. Four students operated as workers in the tracking zone while Ansaripour was managing the data flow of the system and made sure the experiment ran smoothly. In 2022, a similar scenario was set up but at a different construction site.

“Alireza is one of those students with brilliant ideas and the work ethic to see these ideas to fruition,” said Gnawali, associate professor of computer science at the UH College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and co-author of the study. “Having that combination is important to get these technical projects to be successful.”

Future Improvements

Future changes to the system include ironing out user design issues such as alerting construction workers when they are too close to moving machinery.

“We also have an issue creating a tracking zone that covers all of a construction site, not just a portion of it,” Ansaripour said. “There are still some improvements that need to be made for this to become a commercial product, but our work provides insight on how a real-time safety monitoring system can be used for safety tracking in construction sites.”

Other authors of the study include UH’s Heydariaan, and from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, corresponding authors Kim and Oyediran. This research project was funded through the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Idea of the National Academy of Sciences under the award NCHRP-206.

Astec

The team at Astec Industries, Chattanooga, displayed its newest generation of tracked highway class paver—the RP-175 and RP-195 F series—at its CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 booth. A spokesperson listed increased production, simpler maintenance, increased visibility and reduced noise as some of the focuses for the new 8-foot and 10-foot pavers.

Keith Hagy, the product manager for paving, explained that the company seeks dealer input from customer advocacy groups, and learned that areas for enhancement in past paving equipment included noise reduction and serviceability.

“We've gone from a single fan cooling system to a dual system, moved to the top of the machine, blowing away from the operator and away from the ground crew.” This improved the cooling efficiency about 15%, Hagy said, and the net result of moves and changes is a 20% reduction in noise.

New lightweight hoods are designed to make accessing daily maintenance areas quick and easy, with no need for hydraulics. Hagy explained, “We've transitioned to a composite design with our side doors and hoods. Now one person can easily raise the hood and access the engine area without any need for extra hydraulics.”

The new F-model series has a State V engine, meeting the most stringent emission limitation required in the global market. Hagy said, “With the RP-175 we’ve upgraded to an engine block that is smaller and more compact, but still provides the same commanding torque and horsepower.”

The RP-175 and RP-195 have a redesigned track system for improved durability and ease of maintenance. When it comes to hydraulics, the new track pavers have fewer connection points, easing maintenance tasks.

For more information, visit https://www.astecindustries.com/products/details/roadtec-rp-175-highway-class-asphalt-paver

Bomag

BOMAG Americas, Ridgeway, South Carolina, offers the BOMAP Connect networked control and documentation program for all rollers working at the jobsite. All compaction data collected by BOMAP Connect is cloud-based, so compaction documentation can be quickly accessed from a computer or mobile device from anywhere an internet connection is available.

An operator activates the BOMAP app from an Android tablet or smartphone from a BOMAG roller, and the app connects with the machine’s interface and registers its parameters. All compaction passes are then automatically recorded. If required by job specification, the interface can connect with BOMAG’s Joblink via Bluetooth, and in addition to roller passes, the system also records the Evib value, asphalt temperature, and vibration frequency and amplitude of the BOMAG rollers, and adds the data to the documentation.

For other roller brands in the fleet connected to the networked jobsite, BOMAP Connect logs and transmits the number of passes, generating a pass map for the entire site. By equipping the rollers with an optional high-precision antenna, GPS reception is maximized to further increase documentation accuracy.

All rolling data collected from the site are combined in real time in the cloud application and displayed as a colored map in Google Maps. The colored areas indicate where compaction has already been achieved and where it is still necessary.

BOMAP Connect enables all roller operators to achieve optimum compaction in the minimum number of passes. BOMAP Connect enhances parallel planning of different projects within BOMAP, including construction site planning. Using 3D planning data combined with online map services, the system makes it possible to spec-

Product Gallery

ify all relevant core project parameters and to plan the construction process in detail. Project planners can input compaction specification details and the deployed rollers display these project parameters when connected.

At the push of a button, BOMAP Connect transmits the final project parameters to the mobile devices of the roller operators, foremen and site managers. Project changes can be uploaded to the program and quickly be transmitted to the field in real time.

For more information, visit at https://www.bomag.com/us-en/technologies/overview/bomap/bomap-connect/.

Case

CASE Construction Equipment announced its new E Series compact vibratory rollers with both double drum and combination (front drum and rear pneumatic tires) configurations. The rollers are designed with a high curb clearance, no overhangs and narrow drum widths ranging from 39 to 54 inches, depending on the model, to accommodate smallto mid-size compaction applications such as driveways, walking paths, commercial developments and existing structures.

The E Series features seven models and replaces the previous CASE compact vibratory roller line. Primary enhancements include a redesigned operator interface for intuitive operation and improved ergonomics. New control features include an electronic travel lever with an extended range of functions at the operator’s fingertips, including RPM settings, drive settings, sprinkler system controls, parking brake and more. An automated sprinkling system reduces water use when the machine is in neutral.

Operators can also choose between automatic or manual vibration engagement to meet their preference and to help avoid damage to the asphalt during starts and stops, while the offset tapered drums reduce asphalt tearing during operation around curves.

E Series rollers are compatible with the CASE ACE Force intelligent compaction system—a technology designed to improve compaction quality while requiring fewer passes to reach target specs. ACE Force also generates reports for applications where exacting specs and records of compaction performance are required.

A new operation mode selector allows the operator to select loading, working or transport to maximize machine performance and fuel efficiency. Operators are also able to choose between soft drive that delivers a smooth ride during asphalt compaction applications, and an optional hard drive setting that allows the operator to make swift turns. An optional rear differential lock function is available on combi models.

Road Widener

Road Widener LLC, Delafield, Wisconsin, displayed its patented FH-R material placement attachment during CONEXPO-CON/ AGG 2023. The remote-controlled attachment connects to most skid steers, compact track loaders, road graders and wheel loaders, operating off the host machine’s engine and hydraulics. It is available in left, right or dual dispensing configurations. The attachment is designed to streamline a variety of tasks including backfilling, road widening, road shoulder repairs, remediation and aggregate placement. The material is poured into the hopper at the top of the FH-R and then dispensed via remote control in adjustable lay-down widths from 1 to 6 feet. The attachment dispenses up to 20 tons of material in under 10 minutes, according to the manufacturer.

Schwarze

Schwarze Industries, Huntsville, Alabama, unveiled its 100% electric M6 Avalanche EV prototype sweeper at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023. The company stated: “It’s clear that electric sweepers present a great opportunity for the sweeping industry going forward—with their superior efficiency and zero emissions offering significant benefits for both operators and the environment alike.”

The manufacturer pointed to an upcoming decrease in the cost of electric sweeper machines as an expected advancement. “Whereas current models are still relatively expensive due to battery costs, the prices are projected to go down substantially with advances in battery technology and increased production. Governments worldwide are

Tandem Electric Compaction

Two of the OEMs who introduced battery-operated machinery during CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 were BOMAG Americas, headquartered in Ridgeway, South Carolina, and Wirtgen Group, with American headquarters in Antioch, Tennessee. Of the offerings at their booths, attendees could’ve seen tandem rollers with that “e” designation.

Bomag’s compact BW 100 AD e-5 electric tandem roller hits the 2.5ton class commercial roller market with a 39.4-inch rolling width and is designed for parking lot, driveway, asphalt repair and soil compaction work. It features a low-voltage, 48V system with 25-kWh Li-Ion batteries. With its recuperative system, energy is recovered during braking, converting mechanical energy back into electrical.

The new tandem roller’s e-PERFORMANCE system is equipped with two electric motors—one dedicated to travel and the other for steering and vibration. A 26.8-hp electric motor propels the front and rear driven drums at working speeds of 0-3.1 mph and travel speeds reaching 6.2 mph. When traveling, the roller only uses one motor to conserve energy consumption.

The roller offers two vibration frequencies of 3,900 and 3,360 vpm (64 and 54 Hz) with a single implementing EV policies such as tax credits and subsidies that can further reduce purchase costs.”

The manufacturer also pointed to improved efficiency via faster charging times and longer operating ranges as another positive development in electric sweepers.

Takeuchi

Thursday, April 13, 2023, Takeuchi-US celebrated a significant milestone when the 1000th compact track loader—a TL12R2 model—rolled off the assembly line at the manufacturer’s facility in Moore, South Carolina. This 156,000-square-foot production facility, Takeuchi’s first in North America, officially began assembling compact track loaders Sept. 22, 2022.

Learn More

amplitude of 0.20 inch, generating 7,194 and 5,395 pounds (32 and 24 kN) centrifugal force. Its intelligent vibration control (IVC) helps operators to know when compaction has been optimized to save on passes.

For more information, visit https://www.bomag.com/us-en/ machinery/categories/asphaltrollers/bw-100-ad-e-5-88075/.

The team at the Wirtgen booth shared information about its new HD 10e and HD12e tandem roller, saying, “Hamm delivers the first fully electric, battery-driven, tandem rollers. The models form part of the HD compact line series.”

A spokesperson explained that the series follows other roller family trends with drum configuration flexibility. “Some models are fitted with oscillation drums including the world’s first e-combination roller featuring oscillation. Not only is compacting with these emission-free, it’s also ultra quiet.”

Product specialist Tim Kowalski spoke further about the drum configurations, reminding us the equipment can compact forward with vibration on the front drum and oscillation on the back, then change modes with the flip of a switch so the machine still provides vibration on the leading drum and oscillation on the trailing drum as the operator rolls in reverse.

The new HD 10e and 12e feature a 48V lithium battery, hydraulic pumps, and all electric motors. The machines have been released in Europe first and are set to be made available in North America later in 2023.

For more information, check with your local Hamm equipment dealer.

“We started out with just 10 employees at this facility a few short months ago,” said Ralph Wabnitz, director of manufacturing for Takeuchi-US. “Today, we have 117 on staff, with a goal of 140 by the end of 2023. Our plan is to assemble all Takeuchi CTL models here in Moore by the end of 2023. I’m very proud of what our team here has accomplished, and I look forward seeing what new milestones we’re able to achieve in the months and years ahead.”

Western Global

Western Global has introduced two diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) storage solutions, the DEF Cube and Top Tote, to its lineup. The DEF Cube is a stand-alone storage tank designed for large quantities of DEF. The Top Tote can be attached to the top of a TransCube Global fuel tank for a 2-in-1 diesel and DEF solution. Both the DEF Cube and the Top Tote provide a commercially available universal solution for DEF storage and offer an option to help operations meet DEF requirements for Tier 4 Final engines.

The DEF Cube has a blue, cube-shaped design and a capacity of 132 gallons. This can be situated next to on-site fuel storage tanks so operators can fill equipment with both fluids at the same time. This DEF storage tank has the same features of the TransCube Global, including four-way forklift pockets for easy transport, lockable compartments for enhanced security and a stackable design.

The Top Tote has a low-profile design to keep the overall height below 6 feet to eliminate ladder or harness use to access the ports.

This DEF storage solution has a capacity of 110 gallons and can attach to three models of TransCube Global fuel tanks—the 20TCG, 40TCG or 50TCG. This creates a 2-in-1 storage solution that holds both DEF and diesel at the same time. Additionally, Top Totes can be daisy-chained on the 40 and 50 TransCube Global to maintain the proportional relationship of approximately 10% of DEF per gallon of diesel. The Top Tote also includes a reusable nylon Micro Matic RPV valve, which is designed to pair with RSV/RPV couplers to provide closed liquid transfer.

Yanmar

Yanmar Compact Equipment, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, launched a new line of compact track loaders—the TL65RS, TL75VS, TL80VS and TL100VS—during CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023. The new compact track loaders range from 67 to 103.5 horsepower.

The loaders incorporate Yanmar’s optional SmartAssist telematics from the company’s mini excavator line. Features range from error detection and notification to real-time operational status updates and daily work reports. SmartAssist also includes integrated theft protection, allowing the machine’s owner to set a range from a specific location and trigger an alert if that range is exceeded. A state-of-the-art, touchscreen 7-inch color display also comes standard with each of the new compact track loaders for improved convenience on the jobsite.