Roads & Infrastructure April 2020

Page 52

CONEXPO SETS

MACHINERY STANDARD OVER FOUR DAYS CONEXPO-CON/AGG SAW 130,000 REGISTERED ATTENDEES, 3200 EXHIBITORS AND 2.7 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF EXHIBITS, GIVING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY A GLIMPSE INTO THE MACHINES OF THE FUTURE.

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nce every three years, CONEXPOCON/AGG in Las Vegas quickly becomes the centre of the construction equipment universe. Las Vegas is one of the ultimate locations to put on a show and that is exactly what all of the world’s leading construction equipment manufacturers and suppliers did. The construction and aggregate industries came together from all corners of the globe to showcase the latest, equipment, technology, initiatives and advancements. The ability for technology to enhance machines and performance outcomes was at the centre of the construction equipment extravaganza that is CONEXPO-CON/AGG. With major themes such as automation, enhanced performance and environmental contribution, the industry’s big players had the chance to present the culmination of years of innovation. The Roads & Infrastructure Magazine team covered 27,000 steps per day, ensuring they could see and experience all the

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ROADS APRIL 2020

exhibition had to offer. While the team took many small steps, the industry demonstrated its ability to take giant leaps into the future. In releasing a new line-up of products Kevin Very, Director of Technology and Product Marketing at John Deere Construction and Forestry, said the construction industry is rapidly changing, and technology is a driving factor in this evolution. “The right technology impacts how a customer bids a job, manages their fleet, assists with operator recruitment and retention, and ultimately improves overall profitability,” Mr. Very said. “Technology development is changing the construction industry, and we are continuing to accelerate our technology innovation across equipment and job sites.” AUTOMATION SIMPLIFIED Topcon, a major surveying technology manufacturer, opened its conference presentation with the help of Irish Formula

3 driver James Roe Jr. He explained the importance of road resurfacing technology for smoother and faster racing. Mr. Roe said he can recall how difficult it was to drive at the Silverstone racetrack in the UK before it was resurfaced in 2019 using Topcon’s Smooth Ride system. “There were huge amounts of standing water building up after heavy rainfall that wasn’t draining off… races had to be postponed or cancelled, affecting the whole event. “The technology is a state-of-the-art product that will benefit the motorsports industry from both a safety and performance point of view,” Mr. Roe said. On the back of his presentation, Topcon Positioning Group announced a suite of advancements to its portfolio of machine control systems. These advancements are designed to provide contractors with better performance and profitability in earthmoving applications. One announcement included the advanced


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