6 minute read
Pavement Technical Solutions, Inc
The Association of Pacific Ports is pleased to welcome Pavement Technical Solutions, Inc. (PTS) as our newest Associate Member. Established in 2010 by President Brian J. Orandello, PTS is a full-service pavement engineering, management, inspection, testing, and evaluation firm known for its ability to provide innovative engineering solutions to a diverse array of clients around the world. In speaking with Vice President Rob Dodson, APP was impressed with the breadth of knowledge, expertise, and professional approach to developing cost effective solutions for their clients.
While the main office for PTS is located in Ashburn, Virginia, with another office in West Virginia and one in Hawaii, staff are spread out across the U.S. “When we find the right person, we’re not as concerned about having them get to an office as we are with their skills,” said Dodson, noting that the international nature of the business will usually take them to destinations all over the world, including Japan, Guam, the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Trinidad, Northern Marianas, and, of course, many locations in the U.S.
Combined, the core PTS team has over 200 years of experience. Orandello has a 28-year track record of successfully managing projects — from conceptualization to completion — focused on airports, seaports, roadways, and military and government installations. Likewise, Dodson is a highly successful Geotechnical and Pavement Engineer with over 28 years of experience in project management; preparation of technical and geotechnical reports; field surveillance of subsurface exploration programs for a range of transportation projects; materials testing and evaluation; utilization of geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring programs; analysis of subsurface conditions; development of recommendations for both shallow and deep foundations; landslide remediation; and more. Staff under Orandello and Dodson are equally skilled.
At the core of PTS’ services is pavement evaluation and engineering. “This is our primary niche market,” said Dodson, “but we offer a range of other services to allow clients to optimize the decision-making process on rehabilitation and repair options, maintenance, and associated costs to maximize their available resources.” Indeed, Dodson was quick to point out that pavement is just like any other asset that requires monitoring and planning preventative maintenance and rehabilitations. “Having a monitoring cycle in place helps to avoid surprises. Undertaking regular maintenance and keeping track of the pavement network condition so that a small problem doesn’t become a big one and having that built into annual budgets is a smart management decision that will stretch out the life of the pavement.”
Using one of their larger, on-going projects as an example — the U.S. Army Garrison in Oahu, Hawaii — Dodson and the PTS team have spent the last 20 years providing pavement management services that cover 14 different installations with 600 lane miles of pavement. “While ports and terminals might not have the same straight mileage, they still must maintain thousands to millions of square footage of pavement,” he said, adding that the daily traffic of heavy trucks, reach stackers, and rubber tire gantry cranes place significant loads on the pavement.
When asked about trends in technology that might benefit pavement management, Dodson noted that, while video/drone inspection and digital imagery is continually being refined and can provide some cost benefits in the right situations, manual “boots on the ground” inspections are the best option for terminals and airports. “For a container port, for example, there’s so much going on — different types of equipment and vehicles, and different schedules for various areas — that manual inspections are still the best options for pavement management.” He did point out that GIS mapping to allow a client to point and click on a section of the facility was useful in determining future needs. “Through regular monitoring, we’re able to determine and anticipate future needs,” he said. “This is key to ensuring that there will be a budget in place when it’s needed.”
Another aspect of pavement management that the PTS team considers when planning out a project is the type of material to use. “There are some methods to toughen industrial pavements, for example, adding metal
For large civil international airports, PTS is able to perform HWD testing to simulate the moving wheel load of large trucks, cranes, and large aircraft.
Photo courtesy of Pavement Technical Solutions fibers to concrete,” Dodson said. “especially for areas where heavy tracked equipment is frequently used.” He went on to say that PTS is continually tasked with developing strategies and recommendations that require creative solutions. “No two facilities and their operations are the same and each project requires us to carefully evaluate, design and provide the most effective option that will meet our clients’ needs.”
And whether the project involves coastal or inland terminals, airports, or heavy industrial facilities PTS brings the same level of critical thinking and high-quality results to all jobs. “We’re a small niche, very specialized company that prides itself in the level of service we provide to our clients who call on us for both long-term and short-term needs,” Dodson said.
For more information about Pavement Technical Solutions, their services, and their experience with many different types of projects, visit: www.pavementtechsolutions.com.
APP MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Are you taking advantage of many benefits of the APP? Call or email Jane McIvor: 604-893-8800 / jane@pacificports.org to discuss.
As drivers of economic growth, facilitating trade and generating thousands of jobs, ports of the Pacific Ocean share a common vision: To provide an efficient, fluid, and cost-effective supply chain in a safe, environmentally sustainable and economically viable manner. The Association of Pacific Ports (APP) assists Member Ports in achieving this vision by enabling the sharing of best practices and lessons learned, peer-to-peer networking, and professional development. Supported by Associate Members who provide a diverse range of solutions for both port operations and management, the APP is building partnerships throughout the Pacific. APP member benefits provide a number of vehicles for you and your colleagues to network, promote best practices and raise awareness of challenges and opportunities. Industry Representation and Collaboration — in addition to working with like-minded organizations on initiatives that improve facets of your business and the maritime industry, the APP participates in government and industry forums as well as key industry events (e.g., Clean Pacific, GreenTech, Seatrade, Pacific Marine Expo), not only to provide representation for Pacific Ports but also to ensure important information is shared throughout the membership. Networking — through conferences and workshops, the APP provides opportunities for you to meet your counterparts from around the Pacific, learn through the sharing of best practices, and to develop life-long relationships with your peers. Promotional opportunities for Associate Members are also a key part of our agendas through presentations, distribution of materials, and table-top displays designed to heighten awareness of your products and services. Communications & Marketing — all members are invited (and encouraged!) to: • Submit articles, press releases and activity updates for Pacific
Ports Magazine as well as our semi-monthly e-news updates and our frequently updated website. Not a writer? That’s okay, we can help. • Three months free web banner advertising on pacificports.org as well as six e-news banner ads (with greatly discounted rates for additional advertising). • Discounted rates for advertising in Pacific Ports Magazine. • Opportunities to present at APP Annual and Winter Conferences. • Participation on themed panel workshops.
