Roads & Infrastructure December 2023 by Prime Creative Media

ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA

GLOBAL LEARNINGS

A new program has enabled government and industry to see the latest global developments in transport, with Australia set to reap the benefits

DECEMBER 2023

08 pm

DECEMBER 2023

STRONG OPTIMISM

Read up on why key industry partners are remaining optimistic heading into 2024

Behind JCB CEA’s works on a vital project for the Australian Defence Force

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DECEMBER 2023 CONTENTS

COVER STORY

10 Reporting for duty A major machinery manufacturer is helping to deliver a vital project for the Australian Defence Force.

FORWARD PROJECTION

14 Global learnings for better outcomes A recent international program opened the eyes of government and industry to global best practice in areas concerning transport. 16 What’s next on the horizon? Looking ahead to 2024 for the Wirtgen Group, learning what the company has in store for customers.

ROADS REVIEW

20 Industry decision makers on what they’re most looking forward to, heading into 2024.

INSURANCE

22 A genuine partner A peak inside UAA’s claims valuation process and why it’s built to succeed.

TECHNOLOGY

25 Digital fences Teletrac Navman on geofences; what they are, what they do and why they’re so important for infrastructure projects of all sizes.

28 Raising the bar Matthews Brothers Engineering’s G-TAR system is helping operators to achieve greater returns from each spraying pass. But how?

SUSTAINABILITY

31 Engineered to last SAMI’s new binder has been used as part of works on a rural Western Australian airport. We find out how it fared. 34 The fluids into the future Inside the cutting edge of specialty fluids and lubricants for the bitumen and asphalt industry.

MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT

37 Bigger and better Flocon Engineering’s new major manufacturing facility in Melbourne is set to provide a big boost for production. 40 The next generation TRT’s newest crane features the world’s cleanest engine, amongst other brand new features. 43 Looking ahead John Deere’s outlook for 2024, with exciting new products and developments coming.

46 Driving productivity gains How Komatsu’s Smart Construction portfolio is delivering improved operational capabilities to its customers.

COMPANY PROFILE 48 A rapid new visualisation Reveal’s new solution is helping to reduce wait times for usable data in subsurface detections. 50 The better way A new app is set to revolutionise the way projects import and export materials.

AFPA SECTION 53 AfPA conference and awards Inside AfPA’s 2023 conference and awards gala dinner.

NATIONAL PRECAST SECTION 57 Innovating LXRPs An Australian-first component has been used as part of works on a level crossing removal project.

REGULARS 4 Editor’s letter 6 News 58 Contracts & Tenders

In this edition of Roads & Infrastructure Magazine, we’re providing a sneak peak into what the sector can expect heading into 2024.

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COO Christine Clancy christine.clancy@primecreative.com.au

PUBLISHER Sarah Baker sarah.baker@primecreative.com.au

MANAGING EDITOR Mike Wheeler mike.wheeler@primecreative.com.au

EDITOR

A DEFINITE STEP FORWARD THIS YEAR WAS certainly not without its challenges. Still feeling the burden of the current global economic climate, as well as skilled personnel and supply shortages, many infrastructure projects were heavily impacted. This was highlighted in the Federal Government’s announcement of the Infrastructure Investment Program Strategic Review, with its findings already being handed down. But as always, there’s still plenty for the industry to feel positive and proud about. The use of recycled and reclaimed materials continues to grow, as does research and development in this space. The uptake in electric powered machinery has also been a prevalent theme throughout 2023, with many now taking up alternative fuelled equipment to diminish environmental impacts. In the December edition of Roads & Infrastructure Magazine, we reflect on this and more, on top of the achievements and learnings from across the sector, as well as the impeding challenges and opportunities as we enter the new year. A good example of this is the National Transport Research Organisation’s (NTRO) 2023 Global Transport Collaboration program, which enabled government and industry representatives to learn from their European counterparts on international best practice regarding sustainable, autonomous and more efficient transport. The NTRO will now use these findings and knowledge to further develop suitable solutions here in Australia. Also in this edition, Roads & Infrastructure Magazine wraps up the 19th AfPA International Flexible Pavements Conference held in Brisbane, where some of the sectors leading minds conferred on topics such as diversity, sustainability, safety and the industry’s future. We also provide a sneak peek into 2024 as part of our last Roads Review column for this year. Read responses from industry decision makers on what they’re looking forward to as we enter the new year. A big thank you to all of our contributors and readers for making 2023 another great year, we wish you all a happy and safe festive period. And most importantly, happy reading!

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Tom O’Keane Roads & Infrastructure Magazine

ROADS DECEMBER 2023

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NEWS

MAJOR COMPONENTS IN PLACE FOR $1 BILLION GYMPIE BYPASS Bridge construction is nearing completion on the Gympie Bypass in Queensland, with the last of 730 bridge girders and deck units in place on the $1 billion project. The project forms part of the Woondum to Curra project, a new 26 kilometre, four-lane divided highway between the existing Bruce Highway interchange at Woondum, south of Gympie and Curra. The project has 42 bridge structures being built in 23 locations over waterways, local roads, the North Coast Rail Line and the new Bruce Highway. The works will increase the efficiency of the connection by improving traffic

The milestone means works can ramp up on the construction of 42 bridge structures. Image courtesy of the Queensland Government.

flow, will increase safety and capacity through the separation of longdistance traffic from local traffic and increase flood immunity. The project is jointly funded on

an 80:20 basis between the Federal Government ($800 million) and the Queensland Government ($200 million). The project is due for completion late 2024, weather permitting.

TWO NEW MILESTONES FOR THE WEST GATE TUNNEL Artist’s impression of the northern portal of the West Gate Tunnel. Image courtesy of Victorian Government.

The underground roadway, as well as the connection between the new bridge across Maribyrnong River and Footscray’s elevated road is now complete on the West Gate Tunnel project in Victoria. Work is continuing to join all pieces of the project together, with the main bridge over the Maribyrnong River to create a vital second river crossing from the west. It’ll span 760 metres, featuring three lanes 6

in each direction, and allowing motorists to seamlessly travel from the West Gate Tunnel to CityLink and the CBD. On top of the completed roads, the two tunnel boring machines that built the tunnels – Bella and Vida – have finished their journeys and have been dismantled, alongside the 400-tonne cranes that helped remove them from deep under the ground. Construction crews have worked to install

seven kilometres of road deck in both tunnels. Works will now move onto installing hundreds of kilometres of electrical and safety systems, while building the ground level ventilation system at the outbound tunnel exit. Once complete in 2025, the West Gate Tunnel will slash travel times by up to 20 minutes and take more than 9000 trucks a day off local roads in the inner west.

ROADS DECEMBER 2023

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NEWS

WORKS COMPLETE ON FIRST VIC INLAND RAIL PROJECT

Works have wrapped on the first of 12 projects in Victoria for the Inland Rail Project. Inland Rail, ARTC, along with construction partner McConnell Dowell have completed works on the lower rail track under the Murray Valley Highway bridge at Barnawartha North, paving

the way in future for double-stacked freight trains to pass through the new section safely. Works began on the section in November last year to lower the track by approximately 1.4 metres under the highway bridge. The bridge foundations have been

Once completed, each double-stacked, 1.8 kilometre train will remove the equivalent of 110 B-Doubles from cities and highways. Image courtesy of Inland Rail.

reinforced, drainage installed, levee banks constructed, 6000 tonnes of rock ballast deposited, and 800 new concrete sleepers and 800 metres of rail laid. Inland Rail is a 1600-kilometre freight rail line that will connect Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

NEW MILESTONE FOR $200M BARTON HIGHWAY Traffic will soon be flowing on the final alignment of the $200 million Barton Highway in New South Wales for the first time. The Barton Highway is an essential part of the NSW and ACT transport network, connecting communities to essential services, employment, healthcare, education opportunities and supporting freight movement. The project aims to improve the road safety of the connection, while enhancing tourism and driving economic growth.

Works on the Barton Highway have endured challenging weather conditions. Image courtesy of the New South Wales Government.

ROADS DECEMBER 2023

This includes improving safety by separating traffic with a central median, improving travel time and increasing capacity of the major highway to better meet the needs of the future population. Upgrades to the Barton Highway consists of two projects, with Stage One already under construction (the Barton Highway Upgrade Package), and Stage Two in planning (the Barton Highway Corridor Upgrade). When the reconfiguration of the existing highway is complete, the seven-

kilometre length of duplication from just north of the NSW-ACT border to just south of Kaveneys Road intersection, will be open to four lanes, signalling the completion of the first stage of the Barton Highway upgrade. The Australian and New South Wales governments have together committed $200 million towards the upgrade of the Barton Highway, with $150 million provided by the Federal Government and $50 million by the NSW Government.

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A REWARDING

COLLABORATION T

CEA HAVE TEAMED UP WITH VENTIA TO DELIVER A MAJOR PROCUREMENT CONTRACT, LAND 8120, FOR THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE (ADF). ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE MAGAZINE LEARNS HOW THE TWO COMPANIES ARE CONTRIBUTING TO SUCH AN IMPORTANT PROJECT.

he Project Land 8120 Phase One contract was established to increase the Australian Department of Defence’s (ADF) earthmoving and material handling equipment capabilities. It is designed specifically for tasks across Australia and the globe. Included under the contract was the need for cranes, excavators, front-end loaders, forklifts, bulldozers, rollers, graders, skid-steer loaders and tele-handlers. All of these will be employed for a variety of uses, including demolition, construction, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and more. In order to win the contract, Ventia sought out market leading equipment partners to deliver a compelling solution for the ADF. Richard Cave, Ventia’s Project Land 8120 Project Director, says CEA, along with JCB (one of their primary equipment suppliers) was an obvious choice for the project, with the company having a proven record catering for similar works. “JCB CEA showed a collaborative and engaged approach from the start. We knew positive collaboration would be essential in determining and delivering tailored solutions to the Commonwealth of Australia to win a very competitive tendering process.” “JCB also has an impressive history of providing military products to armed forces for 40 years. Their vehicles have been tested and proven reliable in tough military environments worldwide. They have experience modifying their vehicles to meet specific defence needs,” he says. Cave says requirements can often differ between private and public sector clients on this scale, particularly for the Commonwealth, which can often have its own unique requirements. Included in these requirements was the need for a delivery partner that could have the “flexibility, expertise and collaborative approach to deliver this framework, while coping with the unexpected.” 10

ROADS DECEMBER 2023

CEA and Ventia are working in conjunction to satisfy the machinery requirements of Land 8120.

The machines needed to go through a rigorous process to demonstrate they meet the ADF’s requirements, which can include testing to meet fording and speed requirements, as well as detailed analysis to demonstrate the suitability of modifications made to enable air transport. Many of these requirements have presented a variety of challenges during delivery. “Defence has unique requirements that can present new challenges for industry; these unique requirements include aspects like air transport, not typically a transport method used for a large earthmoving machine in industry, and complex compliance activities,” Cave says. “JCB CEA’s willingness to work closely and openly with us as part of a team and to participate in open and frank communication has been essential. As a team, we have endeavoured to pre-emptively address challenges promptly and rapidly as they arise.” THE REQUIREMENTS Ventia is teaming with JCB CEA and three other

key equipment partners to deliver around 300 earthmoving and material-handling vehicles in total for the Land 8120 contract, compromising 13 different types of machinery. Of these 13 machinery types, seven can be satisfied by JCB CEA’s product platforms. This includes the medium excavators, teleskids, wheel loaders, backhoe loaders, mini excavators, wheeled excavators, and rollers. Despite ongoing impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, CEA has already completed delivery of one of the first vehicle types that forms part of the Project Land 8120 contract. JCB CEA’s 220X Medium Excavator is ideal for tough conditions, backed by its thorough trial and testing phase. The machine’s tier-four compliant engine is the 220X EcoMAX engine, which has been tested for up to 110,000 hours across 70 different machines worldwide. 30,000 window and door operation tests have also been carried out in a wide variety of climates (from 55 to negative 30 degrees Celsius). This is on top of 15,000 hours’ worth of tracking and

COVER STORY

challenging and equally satisfying when we move through another milestone.”

A variety of equipment will be provided as part of the procurement contract, including medium excavators, teleskids, wheel loaders, backhoe loaders, mini excavators, wheeled excavators, and rollers.

vibration testing. Phil Withell, JCB CEA Project Lead, says testing such as this helps to validate the use of the company’s machinery in some of the harshest environments globally, making them a core piece of the Project Land 8120 contract. “We have a long-standing relationship with supplying this type of equipment to military applications worldwide. Our machines comply with a stringent criterion for them to gain acceptance,” he says. “The machines will be working in some of the harshest of environments and have to be capable of meeting the expectations of being robust and able.” Like all future machinery in the Project Land 8120 contract, the 220X Medium Excavator underwent a thorough quality assurance process. The first achievement in this process is satisfying the Detailed Design Reviews (DDR) for each machine, outlining (if needed)

required changes to the machine. Key Verification and Validation activities are among the following stages, which include multiple checks and testing to ensure that the machine can satisfy Commonwealth requirements. The project partners have already delivered two vehicle types. Withell says CEA is “constantly working” on future platforms in 2024 and beyond, with progress being made in gaining design acceptance criteria to meet the stringent specification requirements. “The machines are proven product lines and meet the criteria demanded. The prework that has been undertaken before production to meet the required standards and specifications are the highest level of due diligence experienced previously by both CEA and JCB,” he says. “[It’s always a] key milestone when we gain an acceptance whether that being DDR, first article or delivery acceptance. This project is complex with many moving parts that prove

WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW? Cave says the Project Land 8120 Phase One contract is tracking well, with multiple packages already being delivered ahead of schedule. He says that the collaboration of equipment partners such as CEA is a critical component to the project’s success so far. “We have been extremely impressed by the genuine willingness of all parties to contribute and collaborate effectively,” Cave says. “Collaboration is often given lip service, but the genuine collaboration across all of the [Project] Land 8120 team has meant that a robust end-user client focus and best-forproject approach is taken, and issues are resolved openly and cooperatively. “To date, no issues have arisen which could not be addressed through the positive collaboration across the project, and feedback [both formal and informal] from stakeholders has been extremely positive.” Withell says the experience of working on the contract will likely also lead to increased returns on “whole of life” outcomes for customers nationally. “The learnings from this project for CEA will enable us to continuously improve our business offering to our customer base,” he says. “Project Land 8120 has given CEA exposure to some of the ‘best in class’ professionals in their own fields. This exposure has created transferable learnings to the CEA business, that will ensure we continue to build on our capability to provide a ‘best in class’ customer experience to the CEA customer base.”

CEA and Ventia’s hard-working team has already reached multiple milestones as part of their works on the project.

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FORWARD PROJECTION

GLOBAL LEARNINGS

FOR BETTER OUTCOMES

THE NATIONAL TRANSPORT RESEARCH ORGANISATION HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED ITS 2023 GLOBAL TRANSPORT COLLABORATION PROGRAM, TREKKING ACROSS EUROPE IN SEARCH OF INNOVATIONS TO SUPPORT THE SAFETY, RESILIENCY, SUSTAINABILITY AND AUTOMATION OF AUSTRALIA’S TRANSPORT NETWORK.

he National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) plays an essential role across all modes of transport. As a key researcher and developer of practical solutions, the organisation works to push the envelope as a central hub for transport research, policy and project work. Michael Caltabiano, CEO – NTRO says the enterprise is always working to incorporate and learn from international best practice to achieve the best possible outcomes for Australia’s transport industry. “The NTRO is one of seven Global Research Laboratories. We’re partners with England, Germany, France, Sweden, China and the United States. Because we do so much, with so little, the other countries around the world are constantly interested in how we do things,” he says. “We’re really interested in their capacity with large volumes and intense populations and how they’re dealing with their networks. We all learn from each other.” In an effort to maximise international resources, to share ideas and develop potential solutions for Australia’s national road infrastructure, the NTRO began working on a concept that would eventually give birth to the 2023 Global Transport Collaboration (GTC). “We spent quite a bit of time planning where we would go, what we would do and what the outcomes were that we were trying to achieve,” Caltabiano says. The GTC program pooled representatives from both industry and government, providing a variety of insights into current challenges and opportunities from across the sector. In October 2023, the GTC delegates commenced a two-week schedule, first stopping by the PIARC World Congress in

The NTRO will use the knowledge accumulated from the 2023 Global Transport Collaboration program to guide further innovations and development for industry.

Prague, an event held every four years. “It brings together the world’s best road technologists on what’s happening globally in the technology space, material science space and the safety space,” Caltabiano says. Caltabiano says this knowledge exchange was very much a “two-way street”. This event also enabled NTRO to host meetings with its international counterparts and equivalents from Germany (BASt – Federal highway Research Institute), United Kingdom (TRL – Transport Research Laboratory) and the United States (TRB – Transportation Research Board). Caltabiano says PIARC was a “mission of discovery”, with the GTC delegation conducting a round table format discussion with executives from each respective research organisation. The GTC then moved into Germany, where discussions were held with executives from the German Ministry for Infrastructure and Transport. As Caltabiano explains, these conversations focused on the

transformation of the sector, in particular its energy transformation. “They’re in this remarkable confluence of transport, energy and technology. These three sectors have converged and are delivering some really interesting outcomes,” he says. “They’ve invested massively in hydrogen infrastructure. It’s close to a billion-dollar investment in this space because they firmly believe it’s part of the energy mix of the future.” The GTC also sought to learn more about Germany’s Autobahn network, with its systems and processes centralised under the Autobahn ‘company’. Caltabiano says key learnings centred around the opportunities presented by a centralised initiative. “All of their national highway systems are now part of a single company, one national enterprise, which has created one standard. In Australia there’s obviously different standards across the different states, but Germany now has a single standard for maintenance, connectivity and safety,” he says. roadsonline.com.au

FORWARD PROJECTION

like the NTRO. “Here in Australia, the states need to invest in research, like we’re doing at the NTRO laboratories. Its vitally important to understand the performance characteristics. Then we need to specify them in the wider implementation in your tender documents and your specifications,” Caltabiano says. “Before you get there you have to do the laboratory work and accelerated loading work to assure yourself that you’re going to get a quality product at the end for Australian conditions and environments.” Michael Caltabiano, CEO – National Transport Research Organisation.

“They’re conscious that the next iteration of transport will be very different to the last generation of transport. It will require connectivity that will be much safer, it will potentially be much faster on the highway networks.” UP TO SPEED The GTC’s next stop was Paris, with expert discussions centring around the potential for high-speed rail with manufacturer Alstom. “The business case for high-speed rail isn’t getting people out of their cars and onto trains. It’s about getting people out of the sky and into trains. It’s a much better and nicer environment to work and travel in. It’s just fantastic,” Caltabiano says. While momentum is building towards the establishment of a high-speed rail network in Australia, such as the appointments to the Board of the High-Speed Rail Authority this year, Caltabiano says accelerating the establishment of compatible infrastructure will be paramount. “We just need to get the corridor built and get on with it. It stacks up and makes sense,” he says. The GTC delegation also visited Colas, a company that’s responsible for the development and distribution of sustainable aggregate, binder and asphalt production. Caltabiano and the rest of the attendees were able to gain insights into the development and application of bitumen binders, sustainable alternatives derived from plant products. “Countries in Europe are already doing this now in their specifications, you can actually produce a carbon negative bituminous product that will be carbon negative through the use of biogenic binders,” he says. Caltabiano says there’s plenty for Australia to learn in this space, aided by programs such as the GTC and development from organisations 14

ROADS DECEMBER 2023

NEXT-GEN TRANSPORT Caltabiano says one of the standout experiences of the GTC was the opportunity to visit London’s Smart Mobility Living Lab during the United Kingdom leg of the program. The lab is a testing haven for all things transport, with a particular focus on automated vehicles and connected automated mobility evaluations. Like the NTRO, the Smart Mobility Living Lab provides an opportunity for both the public and private sectors to participate in what is word-leading research. The lab establishes a real-world environment for testing and designing future transport and mobility solutions, with autonomous and selfdriving vehicles forming a key part. “Australia doesn’t have a Smart Mobility lab anywhere and we desperately need one. It was important to show the delegates what this

stage. He says the acknowledgement from international peers towards the strength of Australia’s road management practices was a pleasing surprise. “What was really clear is that we are the most advanced in the world when it comes to infrastructure measurement. The NTRO fleet of Intelligent Pavement Assessment Vehicles (IPAVE), and the way in which the states and territories use those data sets for asset management tasks, is the most advanced in the world, without question,” he says. “The rest of the world was looking to us in our conversations going ‘wow, we need to get on board with this sort of technology and understanding of the network’. It allows us to be more efficient, faster and have more knowledge of the asset’s performance. “For our delegates it was a light bulb moment that ‘you know what? We’re pretty bloody good at this stuff’. We can teach the rest of the world.” FUTURE LEARNINGS Following the completion of the GTC, the NTRO is reflecting on the learnings, findings and next steps towards incorporating global best practice. “We’ve already engaged in this process to communicate the outcomes, by compiling a trip report that I’ll be sending to all governments in Australia. We’ll also be doing public seminars in every state to articulate

“HERE IN AUSTRALIA, THE STATES NEED TO INVEST IN RESEARCH, LIKE WE’RE DOING AT THE NTRO LABORATORIES AS ITS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS.” could look like and where we should have one of these in our country, if not several to solve different problems. It’s so important because we’re such a geographically diverse country,” Caltabiano says. “The next generation of transport will be a digitised world. It’s a self-driving world, it’s a safer world and if we’re not enabled for those journeys because we’ve missed 20 years of coordinated infrastructure development, then we will have missed the boat. “Now’s the time, in advance of the autonomous world catching up with us, which won’t be tomorrow. It might not even be in 10 years, but perhaps 20 years, but we’ve got to be developing and establishing that infrastructure and those considerations now.” Caltabiano says that despite the need for further infrastructure developments, Australia does have plenty to offer on the international

these outcomes to the entire industry,” Caltabiano says. “That knowledge transfer is one of the key reasons for our existence as an entity. We’ve also begun planning on the GTC 2024 charter, where we’re looking to go to China and look at what a high-speed rail network looks like, not just a single link from Sydney to Melbourne.” Caltabiano says for him personally, one of the standout features of the 2023 GTC was the ability to reconnect and recommence important knowledge exchanges. “One of the biggest things for me was the ability to reconnect in this post-COVID world with my international colleagues, some of whom I hadn’t seen for the better part of three and half years,” he says. “Now we can share these important learnings and make sure we’re bringing that vital best practice to the table.”

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WHAT’S NEXT ON

THE HORIZON?

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2024, THE WIRTGEN GROUP HAS A MULTITUDE OF EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS AND ADVANCES SLATED FOR NEXT YEAR AND BEYOND. WIRTGEN’S UPPER MANAGEMENT SHEDS LIGHT ON WHAT’S IN STORE FOR CUSTOMERS.

onsisting of Wirtgen, Vögele, Hamm, Kleemann, Benninghoven and Ciber, the Wirtgen Group (a John Deere company) is responsible for the design, development and distribution of machinery for the road construction industry. This includes pavement construction, materials processing and more, Australia-wide and globally. Next year is an exciting prospect for the group, with a ongoing focus on supporting sustainable and alternative solutions for industry clients. These solutions target issues such as productivity and providing options to make road pavements more resilient in changing climatic conditions. The current state of the economy will also present its own set of challenges for the company, as well as issues related to recruitment and retaining skilled personnel. Despite these challenges, Wirtgen Australia Managing Director, Stuart Torpy, says the company has an optimistic outlook at 2024, with many opportunities to continue the product development and guidance for which the Wirtgen Group has become known. “We’re always working on new developments in our wide range of equipment and the systems that importantly support the customers that use them. Our focus has been on deploying technology to assist customers increase efficiencies, whether that be at a machine or project level,” he says. SETTING THE STANDARD One product that the Wirtgen Group continues to grow is Hamm’s Proximity Detection System (PDS). As Craig Yeats, Product Support Manager Hamm – Wirtgen Australia explains, Hamm’s PDS aims to ease concerns around accidental interactions between people, machinery and plant. “Installing a PDS onto a roller can help prevent injury or damage on every job site.

ROADS DECEMBER 2023

Increasingly, the request has been for systems that will automatically interrupt the drive and stop the machine should the operator not notice an imminent collision,” Yeats says. “Hamm can now provide a standardised gateway for fully integrated proximity detection and control. The potential safety benefits of this cannot be overstated.” As part of this push towards PDS, Hamm has adopted the ISO standard for the integration of these systems. For the operator or fleet manager, this means they can select a PDS of their choosing (that’s also ISO compatible) for use on the Hamm system. “ISO compliant means a language does not need to be developed every time a PDS goes onto a new machine. Hamm opted for this to eliminate the need to rewrite software to suit every PDS provider. It also benefits the third party PDS provider because they can develop a platform that should work with any other ISO-compliant OEM,” Yeats says.

soil compactor and HP 100 multi tyred roller. The former is a brand-new model that replaces both the H Series and the long-serving 3000 Series of soil roller. As Yeats explains. “There is a lot to like about this new machine – operation, servicing, components – everything has been improved and optimised,” he says. “One of the standout improvements is the operator platform – along with the rest of the machine, the cabin has been completely redesigned with the operator in mind. “This new HC Series also optimises the range of models offered, in that the same platform is used for all emission standards. So, when we eventually make the shift to Tier Four/EU stage V emissions standards, only the engine changes, the rest of the machine is exactly the same.” The HP 100 multi-tyred roller is a mid-sized pneumatic tyred roller that fills the gap between Hamm’s 3.5-tonne HD14 TT and its larger HP180 and 280 models that max out at

“TO SUPPORT THE USE OF SUSTAINABLE METHODS, AND TO FURTHER INCREASE EFFICIENCY, WIRTGEN HAS ALSO DEVELOPED AUTOTRAC. THIS FEATURE PROVIDES PRECISE AUTOMATIC STEERING FOR WHEELED RECYCLERS TO MAXIMISE THEIR OUTPUT, AS WELL AS ENVIRONMENTAL OUTCOMES.” “They can elect to use a warning system to alert the operator and other workers of possible danger, or a full control system to stop the machine when required. The customer is not restricted to a generic offering from the OEM – just like choosing new tyres or windscreen wiper blades for your car, you can pick whatever PDS suits you best.” The PDS technology can be applied to all new rollers across the Hamm EASYDRIVE platform, with the extra ability to retrofit these systems to compatible rollers already being used. As a result, PDS can also be programmed for integration in two of Hamm’s newest machinery models, the HC Series of

18 and 28 tonnes respectively. “Of course, both these machines come programmed for PDS integration,” Yeats says. ACCURATE DATA AND INFORMATION Wirtgen is also working to further develop its WPT technology, or ‘Wirtgen Performance Tracker’. Brett Ferris, Product Support Manager Wirtgen Australia, says WPT is an extension of the previously used ‘Job Data’ function that could be used to provide insights and estimates around machine production. “WPT takes this many steps further, by capturing GPS position, exact width of cut,

FORWARD PROJECTION

The Wirtgen Group has plenty of exciting developments on the way in 2024 for its brands, including Vögele, Hamm, Kleemann, Benninghoven and Ciber.

depth of cut, fuel usage, water usage etc, and puts all this information into a job report that is sent via email direct to the customers email on the phone or computer. This means that the need for manually measuring a job site is eliminated, saving the customer labour costs, but also making the job site more efficient,” Ferris says. “The accuracy of WPT has been proven to be down to one to three per cent of what a manual measure up has been.” This feature is a plus for managers, who can be notified when jobs have been completed, as well as data sets around the movements of a machine during a particular shift. “If a milling machine, for instance, has been sitting idle waiting for trucks most of the shift, it’s a good indicator that the job requires more trucking on the logistical side to get the most from the machine, meaning the machine is making the customer money, rather than burning fuel and labour at their cost,” Ferris says. To support the use of sustainable methods, and to further increase efficiency, Wirtgen has also developed Autotrac. This feature provides precise automatic steering for wheeled recyclers to maximise their output, as well as environmental outcomes. Autotrac helps to solve legacy issues related to cold recycling, the process of turning a road or sub-base from a soft or failure state and turning it into a solid base.

“With cold recycling, no additional quarried material is needed to be brought to the job. This saves the end customer thousands when we look at trucks needed, fuel, labour, and of course less trucks on the road helps to reduce impacts on the environment,” Ferris says. “Cold recycling and stabilising are different from milling as it’s sometimes hard to see what’s being cut. We are relying on job markings to identify where the previous cuts are. “Autotrac is using the same hardware as WPT to draw a ‘straight edge’ between point A-and-B, so the lines are matched into a perfect grid formation. Alternatively, we can set a first cut as the design, allowing each additional cut to be identical.” Ferris says Wirtgen foresees Autotrac becoming a popular option for recycling and stabilising contractors who want to get the most out of their production and minimise overlaps, accelerating production and reducing wear, labour and fuel costs to enhance profitability and job quality”. “The best part about working for Wirtgen is just when I think that the technology couldn’t get much better, we bring out something new and exciting to push the sector forward,” he says. “Autotrac is brand new, with the first into Australia arriving into our warehouse any day now, I am looking forward to showcasing that around the country.

GREATER ASSISTANCE Included as part of the Wirtgen Group’s service is constant after-sales support and maintenance on request. A lot of these services are centralised in the company’s Operations Centre. Mark Drury, Product Support Manager, Road and Mineral Technologies – Wirtgen Australia says the Operations Centre acts as a central platform for current and future digital solutions offered by the Wirtgen Group. “Its primary purpose is to provide a userfriendly platform for customers to plan, monitor, and analyse various aspects of their road building projects,” he says. “In terms of service, if the customer requires it, we can use Operations Centre to be the customers “third hand” to assist with flagging opportunities for operational improvements, maintenance planning and fault responses.” The John Deere Operations Centre can be accessed through a desktop or a free mobile app. If users are currently benefitting from WITOS telematics systems in their Wirtgen Group machines, they can merge them into the Operations Centre platform. This means users won’t have to use two different systems. The new roadbuilding operational view gives operators a summary of consumption and utilisation data for all connected machines working within the same jobsite. These are broken down into categories roadsonline.com.au

FORWARD PROJECTION

Road rehabilitation and increased machinery sustainability are just two focus areas of the Wirtgen Group heading into 2024.

such as milling, compaction, paving and more. If machinery is equipped with the Wirtgen Performance Tracker, users can also access performance data such as distance, area, and volume for the jobsite. When a machine begins to work in a new location, jobsites are automatically created and managed in the system. Reports can also be generated from the system on an ad-hoc basis or schedule regular reports to be delivered by email. These features help to save users time and reduce the total administrative workload. “The operations centre is bound to evolve, and we are excited about its potential to serve as the foundation for innovative digital solutions. Our roadmap includes plans for the integration of existing solutions such as WITOS paving and Spective Connect,” Drury says. IMPORTANT ASPECTS Torpy says the company will continue to expand upon its services, assisting an industry that is still treating its wounds in terms of economic and skilled personnel shortagerelated pressures. “We’ve got many offerings to assist customers get through any challenges they may have, whether that be financial or otherwise, in good times or bad,” he says. “If we know a customer’s challenges, we’re more than up to the task of working a way through them that meets the needs of all parties.” This also extends much further than just its customers. The Wirtgen Group has taken up a leadership role in the wider industry, designing machinery 18

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and advocating for the use of sustainable construction methods and practices. One such topic is the implementation and development of resilient roads. Roads Australia predicts that to 2024-25, the estimated spend on road construction activity will be equal to $106 billion. And yet annual maintenance budgets are in the order of $7 billion. Recycling, rehabilitation and resilience can all play a part in sustaining the quality and rollout of Australia’s sparse road network. Torpy believes the solution is within the sectors reach. “Resilient roads and pavements are not a new concept. It should always be the aim of road designers and constructors to design and build roads that will cost effectively over their life provide the amenity required of our road transport task,” he says. Torpy adds that Wirtgen is playing its part in this space. “The Wirtgen Group has always been at the forefront of technologies and innovations that address bottlenecks, aid efficiencies, and overall produce a positive benefit in the infrastructure field,” he says. Whether this be inventing the first dieselpowered road roller, or introducing road milling machines to the world, we’ve quickly attacked issues and supported ways of doing things more efficiently to address the needs of the day. “By staying engaged with all sectors of industry we design and build equipment that enables these pavements to be built. And by staying at the innovative edge when

it comes to proven technologies, such as foamed bitumen, Wirtgen has enabled those designers and constructors to build the pavements required.” But discussions around this topic, as well as the adoption of other sustainable practices, are just in their infancy. As Torpy adds. “The bigger issue the industry faces is breaking through the resistance that can be encountered at an asset owner level to more widely adopt products or technologies that can aid resiliency of pavements and deliver the cost-effective pavements required of today and into the future,” he says. “Looking at the condition of Australia’s road networks and the competition for funding to maintain them, something has to change if we’re to stay mobile, safely. “Wirtgen are passionate about being part of the discussion and the solution.” Despite these challenges, Torpy says he’s looking forward to the introduction of new technologies across Wirtgen’s range, with products such as Autotrac and WPT forming only a slice of the total 2024 release slate. “We’ve taken great strides in developing and offering to market technologies that can take the load off operators, which permits either greater focus on remaining human demands, or good outcomes from operators who perhaps don’t have decades of experience,” he says. “We’re about to see new roller models arrive in the country that’ll fill some voids and improve on already proven products particularly from the perspectives of efficiency and operator amenity.”

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ROADS REVIEW

THIS MONTH, WE ASKED THE INDUSTRY’S DECISION-MAKERS, ‘WHY SHOULD THE INDUSTRY REMAIN OPTIMISTIC HEADING INTO 2024 AND BEYOND?’

JON DAVIES, CEO – AUSTRALIAN CONSTRUCTORS ASSOCIATION

This year’s renewed focus on productivity has presented an opportunity for a much-needed industry reset, and we are witnessing a true national and tripartite collaboration to do this. The Australian Constructors Association has been advocating for a 10-year National Construction Strategy to optimise how projects are procured, create a national digital alliance and improve the skills of all construction workers. We hope to see the strategy materialise in 2024, bringing widespread benefits to the entire industry.

CARLOS RIAL, CEO – AUSTRALIAN FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT ASSOCIATION

The ever-increasing demand for a reliable and efficient transport network that underpins our economic productivity, competitiveness and way of life remains. Whilst inflationary pressure has seen Government pull the brakes on Capital Infrastructure spending in the short-term, we strongly urge all levels of Government to remain strategic, focused and firmly committed to the maintenance of our single most reliable and critical infrastructure that connects us – our roads. The emergence of policies promoting road safety and the success AfPA has seen in its sustainability frameworks and safety training programs have shown us that there is strong demand for more reliable road infrastructure, built with innovation and sustainability at its core. Government’s continuing interest, investment and commitment to supporting technology, innovation, safety, sustainability, diversity and inclusion instils confidence in industry as we enter the new year. AfPA looks forward to leading advocacy and collaboration across the flexible pavement industry, I am optimistic that we can address the urgent backlog of work that exists, especially in rural regions, and continue to keep communities connected.

DR AROORAN RAJAH, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, ARC SMART PAVEMENTS HUB – SPARC

In the dynamic landscape of the transport infrastructure sector, optimism prevails as the industry embraces transformative technologies, sustainable practices, and collaborative, streamlined approaches. Strategic infrastructure investments, combined with resilient planning, position us for growth. Embracing innovations in smart infrastructure, digital and automotive technologies, renewable materials, and adaptive design promises a future where roads not only connect but also contribute to environmental and societal well-being. As industry leaders, our collective commitment to efficiency and sustainability ensures a strong foundation for 2024 and beyond.

If you or someone at your organisation is an industry leader and would like to be a part of this monthly column in 2023, please get in touch with Editor, Tom O’Keane: tom.okeane@primecreative.com.au 20

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CMY

ai17001682549_Laying the foundations - Road and Infrastructure Ad - December.pdf 1 17/11/2023 6:57:40 AM

CMY

A GENUINE

PARTNER

UNDERWRITING AGENCIES OF AUSTRALIA’S APPROACH TO CLAIMS VALUATIONS ENSURES THAT BOTH BROKERS AND CLIENTS CAN GET THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME OUT OF EVERY CASE. HERE’S WHY. UAA’s claims valuations process for machinery has been perfected over a number of years.

nderwriting Agencies of Australia’s (UAA) claims valuation process has been refined over multiple years, using a variety of external valuers to determine market values for individual claims. Michelle Morrissey, National Claims Manager, Australia – UAA sheds some light on the process. “Once we’ve determined that a unit is a total loss and it can’t be repaired, UAA via its assessors, will actually engage with the valuer and directly provide all of the information around the item itself, any accessories that are insured with it, the kilometres, or hours and the condition of it,” she says. “The independent valuer will take a look at the item using their own methodologies and skill set to determine what they believe is a fair market value for the item.” DETERMINING VALUE UAA utilises key valuers as part of its service who value anything from motor vehicles, light and heavy machinery to

ROADS DECEMBER 2023

mobile and tower cranes. Each valuer is appointed based on their core skillsets and the item requiring valuation. Each of these valuers are independent and accredited specialists, ensuring that they can provide accurate and impartial assessments. Valuers are independent and accredited specialists, ensuring that they can provide accurate and impartial valuations. Each of these valuations are also able to be conducted online, and where beneficial, in person. To increase the efficiency of each claim, UAA has developed its asset specific forms that help to provide a comprehensive outlook for the valuer. Valuers review the data provided, which can incorporate aspects such as assessment reports, purchase invoices, maintenance records, pre-start checks and more. Each of these sources helps to paint a more accurate picture around the age, hour, mechanical condition and preincident condition of the damaged unit.

Valuers will also contact the assessor and the insured to request any missing details and obtain their opinion on the condition of these assets. Each of these factors affect and help to determine the overall value of the unit. Disputes are minimised by offering an additional 15 per cent loading if market value is less than 85 per cent of the sum insured. UAA also offers an agreed value option subject to a valuation from its certified valuers. UAA promotes the use of three valuation approaches, helping to cater for different circumstances and machinery types. The ‘market approach’ is suited for classes of plant and equipment that are homogenous, such as motor vehicles and certain types of equipment or machinery. The ‘income approach’ can be used where specific cashflows can be identified for the asset or a group of complementary assets, while the ‘cost approach’ is commonly adopted for plant and equipment, particularly in the case of

INSURANCE

External valuers are used as part of UAA’s process to ensure an independent and accurate valuation for each asset.

“IT’S IMPORTANT TO REALLY BE IN TUNE WITH THE MARKET VALUES OF THE MACHINES. IF THEY’RE OVER INSURED AT THE TIME OF THE LOSS, OUR CLIENTS ARE PAYING A PREMIUM ON A LARGER AMOUNT.” individual assets that are specialised or special-use facilities. THE CLIENT’S ROLE Clients can also aid their own claims valuations processes by taking precautionary steps and keeping up to date with the current landscape for machinery and coverages. “It’s about being in tune with the market and no one’s better than the insured in certain cases to be involved in that process. Even if you use online resources, it can at least give you a base idea of what the valuation of that item should be. If you’re doing that on a yearly basis, you’ve got a greater chance of getting the accurate value, rather than just leaving it and rolling it over every five years for example,” Morrissey says. “It’s important to really be in tune

with the market values of the machines. If they’re over insured at the time of the loss, our clients are paying a premium on a larger amount. Sometimes these could actually be significantly less depending on the economic state than what they were expecting. Morrissey adds that UAA is more than happy to have discussions around the process and the valuation itself. “We’re more than open to the conversation as well. We come at the valuations from a very open mind. We understand that clients want to get the highest possible valuation out of their own assets,” she says. “If one of the parties doesn’t feel as though the valuation accurately reflects the state of the asset, we’re open to that conversation. They can provide some examples of other valuations and we’re

Michelle Morrissey, National Claims Manager, Australia – UAA.

happy to provide advice around if that case is comparable. “Based on what the insured advises, it sometimes can change the perception of the value. From our end we provide as much detail as possible as to why a case may not be comparable. That’s where that open dialogue plays such a big part.” roadsonline.com.au

REVEAL ARE AUSTRALASIA’S INNOVATIVE SUBSURFACE EXPERTS. With Reveal, you can eliminate subsurface risks, deliver infrastructure projects faster and minimise cost blow-outs and variations. If you need to understand your underground, get in touch with the world’s leading subsurface experts.

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TECHNOLOGY

THE IMPORTANCE OF DIGITAL

BOUNDARIES THE AGE-OLD CONCEPT OF GEOFENCING HAS BEEN INNOVATED AND HAS EMERGED AS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL TO INCREASE THE SAFETY, SUSTAINABILITY, LONGEVITY AND EFFICIENCY OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT. BUT HOW CAN PROJECT MANAGERS MAKE THE MOST OF TECHNOLOGY AND FLEET MANAGEMENT PRACTICES?

he complexity associated with infrastructure projects can often be attributed to the multitude of moving parts. At any given time, vehicles, equipment, crews, and the public are all moving without harmony, presenting challenges around coordination, safety, and overall project efficiency. That’s where Teletrac Navman comes in. The company’s technology is designed to take the headache and guesswork out of project management and delivery, no matter the scale of the work at hand. Geofencing is just one tiny component that makes up Teletrac Navman’s product and service offerings. But its relative impact is significant and, in some ways, understated, as James French Construction Solution Specialist at Teletrac Navman, explains. “Geofencing is essentially a digital version of any type of fence designed to direct you to a location or to prevent you from entering a specific location. Some examples include an allocation geofence where a truck approaching a site is given directions to enter via a specific gate to pick up from a

Teletrc Navman can assist companies across the infrastructure sector to optimise their own geofencing technologies.

roadsonline.com.au

TECHNOLOGY

Geofencing can be used to plan, prepare and execute on project delivery.

designated area,” he says. Exclusion zones as the name suggests are areas that vehicles are prohibited from entering and drivers are alerted as they approach. In the simplest of terms, geofencing is the process of establishing a location-based digital barrier controlled by an electronic device to detect assets crossing through, monitored via a cloud-based system. The establishment of this ‘digital boundary’ can help to keep an eye on a variety of complicated aspects of infrastructure development. After creating these geofences across project sites, every vehicle that enters or leaves the area is recorded, providing data including the exact time, speed, and general behaviour when on or leaving the site. Furthermore, you can see all assets in and around these geofences. Project and fleet managers have real-time access to information on company vehicles, such as how long they’ve been on site, whether they have been delayed at a location, alerts can be raised if a vehicle spends more than the allocated time, or if a vehicle is speeding within. This is a drop in the ocean of all the analytics you get in real-time. Using geofences to calculate cycle time provides important data. Consider a truck collecting spoil or contaminated waste, time stamps show when the truck arrived on the job site and when it left the site, and weigh bridge data will show the payload. When the truck arrives at the tip site, time stamps again show how much time the truck spent on site there. The GPS tracking data between the sites provides distance and time. Once the truck returns to the pick-up site, the process starts again, providing cycle time. From this data, users can calculate job costs, such as the cost per tonne to move spoil from site to tip. French adds that geofences provide added value. The function can be used as a preventative and reflective tool, therefore helping to make infrastructure sites more transparent, manageable, and productive. 26

ROADS DECEMBER 2023

A geofence as a concept is quite basic, but the amount of data that can be collected is vast and can be used for a number of applications. Throughout the lifetime of a project, all this data is recorded and accessible instantaneously. You don’t have to flip through paperwork or files. It is digital and instantly accessible. “Safety management is an important part of all of this. You can implement a system that makes it safer for the community to work and travel around a busy job site, where trucks may carry 20 to 50 tonnes. With these slowmoving vehicles, you need visibility. Consider a system like air traffic control for trucks and

in a geofence can be used as part of the objective evidence to claim full fuel tax credit entitlements accurately. Teletrac Navman has rulings from the ATO covering this for FTC Manager, it’s fuel tax credit management solution. It records second by second data to ensure accurate information for fuel tax credit claims. “It can have an enormous impact on the bottom line for a business because you can demonstrate with the data you’ve acquired through the geofence that you are entitled to a higher return on your fuel tax claims,” French says. Verification of such data, being able to

“SITE TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS CAN SEE ON SCREEN WHERE EVERYTHING IS, MONITOR IF THE SITE IS REACHING CAPACITY, AND MAKE THE NECESSARY CHANGES TO AVOID CONGESTION IN AN INSTANT. YOU CAN SEE VEHICLES APPROACH AT ANY GIVEN POINT AND DIRECT DRIVERS TO A GATE THAT ISN’T CONGESTED, WHICH MEANS THE MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES IN THE COMMUNITY IMPROVES TENFOLD AT POINTS THAT WOULD BE FRUSTRATING TO THE PUBLIC.” other vehicles on site,” French says. “Site traffic controllers can see on screen where everything is, monitor if the site is reaching capacity, and make the necessary changes to avoid congestion in an instant. You can see vehicles approach at any given point and direct drivers to a gate that isn’t congested, which means the movement of vehicles in the community improves tenfold at points that would be frustrating to the public.” Directing heavy vehicles to their allocated gate away from suburban streets can also provide long-term benefits, such as reduced wear and tear on local roads from construction and equipment traffic and reductions in noise and diesel fumes. CLAIMABLE TIME Data from geofences can also play a key administrative tool, particularly when it comes to fuel tax credit claims. Job site data extracted from time spent

demonstrate proof of delivery or movement, are important aspects that French says can all be achieved through the establishment of a geofence. “If anyone queries truck or vehicle movement, I can bring up that data in a matter of minutes. We can see where a truck was at any queried date and time and prove it is using an allocated route and has delivered to the correct location. The data is captured through site entry and exit,” he says. Geofencing has already been used successfully by Teletrac Navman on projects such as the Sydney Rozelle, with feedback from the client pointing towards the effectiveness of the technology. “It takes what was a previously a paperbased system and turns it into a real-time database that you can pick and poke at, at any given time,” French says. “An educational tool in which your clients and your own organisation can learn and improve upon.”

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RAISING THE BAR,

WITH G-TAR

MATTHEWS BROTHERS ENGINEERING’S G-TAR SYSTEM HAS BEEN DEVELOPED FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, WITH THE COMPANY’S MODERN ITERATION PROVIDING BOOSTS TO OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY AND OUTPUT FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY. The G-TAR, or Guaranteed Target Application Rate, provides fingertip control to achieve greater consistency of application rates from 0.5 to 3 litres/m2.

Paul Matthews, Managing Director – Matthews Brothers Engineering.

ROADS DECEMBER 2023

ircumstances provided an opportunity for Matthews Brothers Engineering to introduce a new form of automation for both hardware and software systems. The bitumen sprayer, tack coater, bitumen tanker and combi sprayer/ spreader manufacturer was advised that a part supplied for its control systems was set to be discontinued, with the third party set to move from analogue to digit inputs. Shortly after, the idea for the company’s Guaranteed Target Application Rate (G-TAR) was born. Paul Matthews, Matthews Brothers Engineering’s Managing Director, is the brains behind the development of the initial G-TAR concept. He says the idea for the system was formed in 2002, refined two years later and was ultimately ready for operation in 2005. “The primary focuses of the original

concept were twofold. Firstly, we aimed to provide a guarantee to the application rate for our client’s operators. We also aimed to simplify the process for operators by removing the need for traditional road speed charts and a manual set up,” Matthews says. “The initial prototype saw us deliver these goals plus other advantageous functionality, such as the ability to quickly and easily recalibrate the system to account for wear on the bitumen pump over time.” G-TAR opens the doors for users to have smarter and more intuitive operator control over their machinery from the vehicle’s cab. Feedback around the prototype played a key role in accelerating further developments for the G-TAR system. This not only improved the automation capabilities of the unit, but also its impacts on safety. “It allowed us to further enhance the systems functionality with modifications such as a two-stage loading/unloading process,” Matthews says. “This ensured the system is working correctly with no line blockages before increasing to full transfer flow rate. This further improved operational safety of the sprayer during these processes.” Further improvements haven’t stopped there either. “Since the first prototype went into operation back in 2005, the system has been continually evolving,” Matthews says. “The most easily recognisable update has been the replacement of the back lit display screen, which utilised a separate control panel, to a modern, touch screen interface. This has been accompanied by further graphic improvements to increase the user friendly and intuitive nature of the system. “We have also combined the G-TAR

TECHNOLOGY

Matthews Brothers Engineering’s G-TAR system can be used across a variety of the manufacturers machinery. Image courtesy of Rural Bitumen.

system with MBE’s Double Row Poppet Spraybar to deliver the G-TAR Maxi system. This allows a transversely variable application rate, which put simply supports variability in the application rate across the width of the Spraybar. This is particularly useful when resurfacing an existing road, delivering the ideal application rate across the full width of the road surface in a single pass.” Matthews says the current iteration of the G-TAR system, similarly to the very first prototype, continues to provide time savings and visible quality improvements to the final road surface. “The operator simply needs to let the system know what type of spray jets are being used, select the desired application rate, and away they go. The system monitors road speed in real time and automatically adjusts the pump speed to account for any variation. This can be particularly beneficial when spraying surfaces on variant incline gradients,” he says. “Clients can also reap the benefits in improved road surface quality and job efficiencies, as well as improvements in

operational health and safety. The levels of automation and remote control achievable with the G-TAR systems reduces the time an operator spends outside the cab of the truck, which on a busy construction site is the safest place they can be.” Matthews Brothers Engineering has recently developed a G-TAR ‘Synchro’ unit for integration in the company’s

asphalt is the road surface of choice,” Matthews says. Feedback continues to flood in around the system, which has so far impressed many from the road construction and maintenance sector. “The feedback has been very positive, so much so that some of our clients think they’ll never purchase a sprayer without

“LOOKING TO THE FUTURE WE HAVE ALREADY MAPPED OUT A G-TAR MICRO SYSTEM, WHICH CAN BE INCORPORATED INTO OUR TACK COATERS (MPAV’S) TO DELIVER THE SAME GUARANTEED TARGET APPLICATION RATE WHEN APPLYING BITUMEN EMULSION TYPICALLY USED WHEN ASPHALT IS THE ROAD SURFACE OF CHOICE.” combi sprayer/chip sealer prototype, designed to deliver both hot bitumen and aggregate in a single pass, forward motion vehicle. Further developments are also in the pipeline. “Looking to the future we have already mapped out a G-TAR Micro system, which can be incorporated into our Tack Coaters (MPAV’s) to deliver the same guaranteed target application rate when applying bitumen emulsion typically used when

G-TAR, since they began using the MBE sprayer units with the system equipped,” Matthews says. “Sprayer operators are often the loudest champions of the system as, put simply, it allows them to easily deliver consistent quality, which in turn makes their job that much easier. “We always welcome feedback to allow us to refine our designs to deliver an optimum product for the end-user.” roadsonline.com.au

MOVING TOMORROW, TODAY

WWW.SANY WWW.SANYAUSTRALIA.COM.AU AUSTRALIA.COM.AU

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

The SAMIfalt I-Brid binder has been designed specifically for high-stress applications, such as airports and highways.

ENGINEERED

TO LAST

A BRAND-NEW BINDER FROM SAMI BITUMEN TECHNOLOGIES HAS RECENTLY BEEN USED AS PART OF WORKS ON THE KUNUNURRA AIRPORT IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA. BUT HOW HAS THE PRODUCT FARED? ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE MAGAZINE HEARS FROM COLAS TO LEARN MORE.

ybrid modified bitumen itself is not a brand-new concept. But SAMI Bitumen Technologies and parent company COLAS have set out to develop a higher performance alternative to what’s currently available in the market. Prior to its first major use in the aviation sector, the SAMIfalt I-Brid binder had already been proven to exhibit superior rutting and fatigue resistance characteristics as part of trials and works in Queensland. Tendering for works on the Kununurra Airport project in Western Australia was seen as the perfect chance to build upon this momentum. “We were interested in tendering off the back of a successful project we delivered for the Port McQuarrie airport in late 2022,” says Lee Whitehead, State Manager, NSW – COLAS Australia. “The initial scope of works on the project included upgrades to the current aprons and taxiways. These upgrades aimed to carry

the next grade of aircraft. This project and the Port McQuarrie Airport were both for ACG Australia.” The Kununurra Airport project presented a unique opportunity for COLAS and SAMI Bitumen Technologies, as a potential gateway to the aviation market for widespread use of SAMIfalt I-Brid. Luke Murphy, NSW Mobile Project and Technical Manager – COLAS Australia says the product is ideally suited for high stress applications, as the product was in part developed to cater for aviation applications such as airports. “Essentially SAMIfalt I-Brid was born out of a partnership between SAMI and RMIT University. It’s a modified binder designed to essentially be equal to, or exceed, the performance properties of standard polymer modified binders typically used in the Australian market,” he says. “Development and use of this product specifically had airports in mind, as its

superior in performance categories such as fuel resistance, which is a really important factor for the aviation industry.” Murphy says one of the biggest learnings from the project was the use of the product in a remote setting. “It’s not typical that you have to coordinate a three day binder haul into a job, having to coordinate and time the right quantities with production,” he says. Whitehead adds that these “unknowns” have helped to establish a precedent for future use of the product. “We were going into unknown territory in some respects, because we know that standard bitumen travels pretty well, stores pretty well and can be returned pretty well,” he says. “We needed to find out how a hybrid was going to react. There’s obviously been extensive work in laboratories that can give you a good indication, but it’s very difficult to replicate real life.” roadsonline.com.au

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

Feedback from clients has been overwhelmingly positive towards the new binder.

“WE’LL BE PUSHING THIS PRODUCT IN MOST AVIATION APPLICATIONS GOING FORWARD, ESPECIALLY AS A BINDER REPLACEMENT. ANY JOBS THAT REQUIRE HIGH PERFORMANCE AND FOR ROADS THAT ARE PRONE TO CHALLENGES, IT WOULD DEFINITELY BE A WORTHWHILE ALTERNATIVE TO CONSIDER GIVEN THAT IT PERFORMS GREATER THAN TYPICAL PRODUCTS AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET.” Whitehead says the product travelled well and, in some respects, “probably better than some other products”. “It stored really well. We ended up with four bitumen tanks between the first visit and the second visit and it stored perfectly. When we went back for the second visit, the product was just as good as it was when it was first delivered. The overall learnings of the project was that the product was fantastic,” he says. “It survived the extremes that we put it through, and now we know that we can push it even further.” For COLAS, the product matched and even in some aspects, exceeded their expectations around transport, durability and performance. “We essentially needed to produce 32

ROADS DECEMBER 2023

the binder at the binder terminal, test it to achieve conformance at the point of manufacture and then hold onto that binder for three days, moving the temperature up and down,” Murphy says. “We then had to actually completely turn the binder heating storage tank off and reheat it back up from cold and essentially achieve conformance again. That’s a simplified explanation but there’s a variety of complex challenges amongst all of that. “It’s a very durable and forgiving binder. It needs to travel well, and be conforming at the point of delivery and production. It ticked all of those boxes and even probably exceeded our expectations.” Murphy says feedback from the client (ACG Australia) reflects these findings.

“The homogeneity and the compatibility were standout features. We heard that it also looked very good, very tight and consistent. Very homogeneous,” he says. “It visually appeared equal or superior to what they were expecting.” In terms of the future, COLAS will be aiming for further use of the product in aviation applications, as well as general road and infrastructure works. “We’ll be pushing this product in most aviation applications going forward, especially as a binder replacement. Any jobs that require high performance and for roads that are prone to challenges, it would definitely be a worthwhile alternative to consider given that it performs greater than typical products available on the market,” Whitehead says.

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Recosol 195 is safer and easier to work with compared to conventional laboratory solvents, which can have strong odours.

THE FLUIDS OF THE FUTURE

WHEN IT COMES TO THE FUTURE, RECOCHEM IS OPERATING AT THE CUTTING EDGE OF SPECIALTY FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS FOR THE BITUMEN AND ASPHALT INDUSTRY. ITS RANGE OF PRODUCTS PROVIDES ENORMOUS POTENTIAL TO IMPROVE ORGANISATIONAL OUTCOMES.

ecochem, a global company, has been producing high-quality fluids and lubricants for the asphalt, bitumen and road surfacing industries for years, helping to improve outcomes for its clients. James McAllister, Business Development Manager – Special Projects for Recochem, says the company’s Recosol 195, a renewable plant-based performance fluid, is just one example of innovation in this area. “We’ve spent a lot of time recently promoting Recosol 195 and its ability to cover a host of functions across multiple industries,” he says. “It can replace Diesel in cold-mix asphalt, act as a slip lubricant, a RAP rejuvenator, and a bitumen cleaner.” Recochem continues to develop and

ROADS DECEMBER 2023

explore new opportunities in the alternative performance fluid market. BITUMEN CUTTERS Recochem has a range of proven bitumen cutters, available in both bulk and packaged form to suit customers’ needs. “Recosol V80 is significantly superior to Kerosene,” says McAllister. “V80 is a premium, highly refined high-flash cutter that meets Australian Standard (AS) 3568. The higher flash point of 80 degrees Celsius means it is

safer than Kerosene. It’s a non-regulated substance for storage and transport purposes, under the Australian Dangerous Goods Code, Seventh edition (ADG 7).” On the other side of the coin, Kerosene is a low flash cutter. It meets AS 3568 and is used commonly throughout Australia. However, Kerosene is considered a Class Three Dangerous Good and is marked as UN 1223. There are a range of requirements for storing Kerosene, as outlined in AS 1940, which covers the storage and handling of

RECOCHEM BITUMEN CUTTERS - AUSTRALIA - MEETING AS 3568 COMPOSITION % m/m

HYDROCARBON SOLVENTS

RECOCHEM CODE

CAS NO

HAZCHEM CODE

UN NO

DENSITY @15°C kg/L

BOILING RANGE °C

FLASH POINT °C

RELATIVE EVAP. RATE

ANILINE POINT °C

Recosol V80

16273

64742-81-0

N/A

0.810

201-237

0.01

Kerosene

16001

64742-82-1

1223

0.795

154-240

0.10

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

Proper distribution of bitumen and asphalt is improved with Recochem products.

flammable and combustible liquids. “Of the two bitumen cutters, Recosol V80 is the superior product,” McAllister says. “There are several reasons for this. Recosol V80 has provided operators with additional safety and peace of mind for over thirty years. This is primarily due to its high flash point. “While Recosol V80 may be considered similar to Kerosene, the biggest difference is that the first half of Kerosene’s boiling range has been removed. That higher initial boiling point results in the higher flash point.” The primary advantage is in the storage and transport of Recosol V80. Compared to Kerosene, there are no restrictions on the storage and transportation of Recosol V80. This reduced regulatory burden means

customers can take advantage of a product offering fewer storage and transport risks. A secondary advantage is that because the flash point of V80 is higher, better cutting ability can be obtained because it can be warmed to a higher degree than Kerosene. “Recosol V80 is more suitable to be mixed with hot bitumen,” McAllister says. “It’s further evidence that we offer a fantastic product for our customers.” LABORATORY SOLVENTS The market for laboratory solvents continues to grow. There has been considerable use of Mineral Turpentine, Toluene, and Xylene over the decades. However, all these substances are Class Three flammable liquids and all have Cleaning laboratory equipment of bitumen and asphalt is of critical importance to multiple industries.

strong odours. “Recosol R55, Recosol 80 / 100 are low flash point solvents,” McAllister says. “They are commonly used as part of the binder assay test in asphalt laboratories. They are also used for cleaning glassware and extensively in bitumen and asphalt laboratories.” The above Recochem products, along with Mineral Turpentine, Toluene and Xylene, have high evaporation rates. That makes these solvents easy to use. The glassware drying times are short, which assists with increasing the efficiency of the laboratory. However, all these solvents need fume hoods to extract the maximum vapour possible. It is not only about staff comfort, as overexposure to the fumes can cause dizziness, impaired coordination, and longterm health effects. On the other side of the coin, Recosol 195 is a strong solvent with a low odour. It can dissolve bitumen and asphalt quickly. The high flash point of over 170 degrees Celsius gives it a slower evaporation rate, making it more suitable for use over a long period. “The lower odour, and far better health, safety and environmental profile makes Recosol 195 a much more desirable fluid to use, when comparing it to conventional solvents,” says McAllister. roadsonline.com.au

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78 km/h

John Smith Status: Active

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Last Location: M4 Motorway, Sydney

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Enter Site via Gate 1

Geofence Entry

GEOFENCE: Site 1: Gate 1 Entry

GEOFENCE: Site 1: Ofﬁce

Queue: Site 1

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John Smith Updated 3 sec ago

GEOFENCE: Site 1

GEOFENCE: Site 1: Exit Geofence Exit

Site1: M4 Motorway, Sydney NSW 410ARQ

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618HGZ

A3 Concord Rd, Liberty Grove, NSW

233IUA

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791HHA

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162NAD

A40 Victoria Road, East Ryde, NSW

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MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Flocon’s new manufacturing facility will help to increase the efficiency and speed of unit production.

BIGGER AND

BETTER

FEW ARE GROWING AND EXPANDING AT THE RATE OF FLOCON, WITH ITS NEW MANUFACTURING FACILITY NOW OPEN IN PAKENHAM. DIRECTOR RORY KNIGHT EXPLAINS THE REASONING BEHIND THE FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT.

locon has grown exponentially since its foundation in 1975, with high-quality machinery and family ownership acting as the key pillars to the company’s recent success. The specialised road maintenance equipment manufacturer designs and builds machinery such as aggregate spreaders, sprayers, sealers and multi-purpose units in-house, having established itself as one of the industry’s pioneers in the space. The opening of Flocon’s new factory in Pakenham, Melbourne in November 2023 is just another achievement in this long journey. Company Director Rory Knight says the new facility is an “extremely exciting” milestone for the company, which is on an upwards trajectory in the market. “We’ve outgrown where we are at the

moment, so we were looking to expand to also cater for the influx of orders that we’ve been getting to keep up with supply and demand,” Knight says. “We tried to increase our power supply to our current headquarters in Hallam, but we had already exceeded it. A new factory would allow us to build what we wanted thanks to a larger power supply.” This power supply was crucial, for two main reasons. The first being the implementation of new technology and manufacturing equipment. The second, to increase the efficiency and speed of production for each individual unit, in particular, Flocon’s larger trucks. Knight says the team recognised that the construction of each heavy unit would previously slow down the production process across the entire facility. The new facility is the ideal solution to this conundrum.

“Thanks to the larger power supply we’re now able to run an array laser cutting machine, so we can speed up our process instead of waiting for components to come in,” Knight says. “This will allow us to do a lot more in our own ‘backyard’. We have also installed a crane with a larger capacity to aid in the manufacturing process of the larger Flocon units. “Our largest trucks take the longest to construct, but now we’re going to be able to get through them a lot quicker. That’s one of the most exciting aspects of the new factory, being able to relieve some of that pressure.” This will also include the use of CNC (Computer Numerical Control) technology, providing greater automation and precision during production. The larger units, including the company’s 12-tonne, forward spreaders roadsonline.com.au

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

The new facility in Pakenham will service the national needs of Flocon’s customers and dealers.

and lime spreader options, will be constructed at the new facility. The design and manufacture of smaller units will be shared across the main Hallam site and the new site in Pakenham, with just a 15-minute drive between the two. Having the new factory will also allow the company to ‘flatpack’ components to be sent across to the Hallam site, again boosting production efficiency. Leading up to the opening of the new factory, Flocon Engineering conducted training for its existing and most recent team members in preparation for the use of new equipment and processes. “We planned ahead to make sure we could have builds underway straight away. All we had to do was literally walk in and switch everything on.” The new Pakenham factory will also act as a base for the production and distribution of spare parts for the machinery. “We already have our representatives in each state. This factory will take some of the pressure off with being able to supply parts a lot quicker. Our customers won’t be waiting as long for those parts,” Knight says. The facility opening was celebrated with both staff and long-term 38

ROADS DECEMBER 2023

suppliers. But as per the typical Flocon Engineering way, Knight says the “lowkey” celebrations were a reminder to continue to scale the mountain, rather than glorify the trip to the top. Long-term planning has already commenced on a centralised site for all production, in what will be a significant

size increase over the other sites. “We’re already in talks with property developers, looking at a five-to-ten-year plan to combine the two sites together. That’s already in motion,” Knight says. “We’re focusing on expanding and getting quicker. That’s one of our biggest objectives at the moment.”

“THE NEW PAKENHAM FACTORY WILL ALSO ACT AS A BASE FOR THE PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF SPARE PARTS FOR THE MACHINERY.” The largest units in Flocon’s machinery offerings will be constructed at the purpose-built facility.

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Tidd Ross Todd’s new TIDD PC28-3G mobile articulated crane.

THE NEXT

GENERATION

TIDD ROSS TODD’S (TRT) NEW TIDD PC28-3G MOBILE ARTICULATED CRANE REPRESENTS THE NEXT GENERATION OF CRANE TECHNOLOGY, FEATURING THE HIGHEST EMISSION CONTROL DIESEL ENGINE AVAILABLE. TRT CRANE SALES BRENDAN COOK EXPLAINS MORE.

he TIDD range has emerged as Australia’s safest pick and carry crane, with Tidd Ross Todd’s (TRT) TIDD PC282 model making a splash with its advanced safety features and technology. The new TIDD PC28-3G expands on the PC28-2 model, used across major infrastructure projects by tier-one companies. TRT set out to achieve more than just a regulatory product update with the TIDD PC28-3G, instead learning from the success of the PC28-2 to develop a solution that could act as the benchmark for the industry moving forward. TRT Crane Sales, Brendan Cook, says that for this very reason, the company has coined the new TIDD PC28-3G as a ‘cleaner, stronger and safer’ option. CLEANER Due to its heavy focus on research and development, TRT identified the need to get ahead of the market. Rather than reacting to just the needs of the industry, the company recognised the increasing demand for sustainable products from across the entire sector. This proactive approach has led to TRT 40

ROADS DECEMBER 2023

implementing what is currently one of the most sustainable diesel engines in the world, the Cummins ISB6.7 Engine. This 300-horsepower engine satisfies Euro Six requirements for emissions, going above the current requirements (TIER 4F). Thanks to its engine design, along with the Cummins Engine Allison Transmission, this engine is able to provide up to a 90 percent decrease in exhaust emissions. Switching to the Cummins ISB6.7 Engine was more difficult than just a straight swap. TRT’s in-house designers and engineers had to make changes to the fittings and overall structure of the crane to cater to the new engine. But as Cook explains, this effort was worth it, especially when considering the environmental benefits in the long term. “Others will move to the Euro Five engine when requirements come in, but this engine helps to put us ahead of the curve when it comes to emissions,” he says. “The Cummins Engine was a no-brainer. There’s already been 10 million engines built worldwide and they’ve got around 37 branches and more than 170 Authorised dealers across the Pacific. It’s a well-serviced engine, a well-

designed engine, and a proven engine.” “It really was an easy choice.” The Cummins Engine consists of a diesel particulate filter, as well as selective catalytic reduction technology. Both of these systems help to create near-zero emissions while also ensuring no compromises are made to fuel economy and performance. Despite the focus on sustainability, operators and dogmen can still expect the high-quality performance and massive lifting capacity now consistent across the entire TIDD range. The PC28-3G is no exception, with a 28-tonne maximum lifting capacity on the lug and 27.6 tonnes on the hook block. This can also be increased with the optional 1.1-tonne ‘Superlift’ counterweight, a fast and easy-to-use loading system. SAFER Also included as standard on all TIDD PC28-3G units is TRT’s patented ‘Slew Safe’. This feature helps to increase the safety of the overall operation of the pick and carry crane. The Slew Safe feature helps to prevent the frequency and risk of rollovers by notifying and automatically making adjustments to

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

The new TIDD PC28-3G has a 18.65 metre full power boom. BELOW: TIDD PC28-3G’s Cummins ISB6.7 engine rates as one of the world’s cleanest engines when it comes to diesel emissions.

the machine in a situation that triggers an overload notification. Once activated, the Slew Safe feature automatically reduces the speed of the steering to 15 percent in the unsafe direction and triggers an audible alarm in and outside of the cabin to notify both the operator and the dogman, while giving the operator 100 per cent steering speed in the safe direction. The activation of Slew Safe is represented by a simple colour system. When the crane is in operation, the notification moves from green, to amber (to show that Slew Safe is inactive) and then to red (once Slew Safe is active, and also includes an overload notification). This feature is also shared across all new TIDD PC28-3G and TIDD PC28-2 cranes. Operators can also have this feature retrofitted to all existing TIDD cranes, helping to increase risk management and improve the safety of work sites. “When I started out in the crane industry, safety wasn’t as big of a concern as it is now. That concern is rightfully placed, too,” Cook says. “This is a simple and safe design.” Two other key safety features on the TIDD PC28-3G crane are CTI Traction Air and a new brake retarder. The former (an optional extra) means operators no longer need to manually check tyre pressures on start-up, due to all four front and rear tyre pressures being managed by the system. It makes sure the tyre pressure is at the standard 130psi. This helps to create a stable lift platform for the entire crane. The new transmission retarder provides more effective braking retardation downhill, increasing the safety and control of the machine under-braking, as well as decreasing noise and brake wear and tear. “On the PC28-3G, we’ve run our TRT proven hydro pneumatic suspension that gives the greatest comfortability and safety. We’ve also

got the CTI system, which is exclusive to TRT cranes,” Cook says. “Accessibility of our counterweight when removing it from the front and attaching it to the back of the crane, is a very safe one-man operation. Gone are the days of climbing underneath the crane like on other pick and carry models to hook anything up”. STRONGER The Superlift counterweight allows you to lift up to 12 per cent heavier loads in both pick & carry and on stationary charts. LMI bridging switch as standard, enables the TIDD PC28-3G to legitimately operate under EN13000 standards, which makes it the only pick and carry crane in its class with a 75 per cent lift chart with a holding brake applied. A double acting hydraulic luffing cylinder (-6 to + 65°) with integral holding valve allows rigging to drop straight into the front chain box from the hook. “What has impressed me most about TRT is their innovative approach to improving the TIDD product, they are constantly working on new designs,” Cook says. “For example, they recently upgraded the suspension cylinder with the release of the TIDD PC28-2 which has increased the lifting capacity by an average of 17 percent, and in some cases 40 percent, which is massive.” KEEN INTEREST Cook says both safety and sustainability were factors that sparked interest in the new TIDD PC 28-3G at the CICA conference. The Slew Safe feature was a major selling point for McMahon Services to acquire the TIDD PC28-2 Crane. Crane & Rigging Manager, Simon Laird-Barrington, says “The feedback from our operators was a key factor in my decision. They mentioned how the TIDD would alert them when nearing an unsafe situation, utilising visual graphic elements on the LMI and Slew Safe to guide them back to safe operation.

This input came from respected operators recognised for handling demanding tasks.” Another consideration is adopting sustainable machinery and solutions as part of its service offerings. “It was a very beneficial conference. People were so excited and interested in the TIDD PC28-3G, asking a lot of questions. They could see the innovation of the design and the time and effort that’s gone into this crane,” Cook says. “We don’t just make a crane like this and say ‘there it is’. We listen to the customer and the driver, after all, they’re the ones that are sitting in these machines seven to eight hours of the day.” He says these conversations result in changes that might be difficult to spot for the untrained eye but can make a big difference in the overall operating experience. This includes examples such as changes to the windscreen and wipers, as well as the door locks, aiding visibility and accessibility. TRT is proud to be able to show our commitment to the Crane Industry and supply a crane for the next generation, cleaner, stronger, safer. “What I like to say to people is that our crane is hand-made from the ground up in our factory, you see the differences when side by side with other pick and carry cranes in the market. The finish of the TIDD is very impressive,” Cook says. TRT is receiving a positive feedback from its ‘Next-Gen’ models of the TIDD PC28-3G and will continue to lead innovation to make it possible. Production on these models is set to begin in Q2 2024. roadsonline.com.au

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MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

LOOKING AHEAD WITH

JOHN DEERE

JOHN DEERE HAS GONE FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH WHILE REMAINING AT THE CUTTING EDGE OF INNOVATIVE MACHINERY. LOOKING BACK ON 2023 PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW ITS ENORMOUS ACHIEVEMENTS.

John Deere has worked tirelessly at promoting its innovative technologies on as many platforms as possible, including many exhibitions.

“A

t John Deere, we continue to provide customers with ground-breaking, smart technologies aimed to improve user experience in the present and yield proven results in the future,” says Andrew Kahler, Senior Group Product Manager of Precision Construction, John Deere Construction & Forestry. 2023 was a testament to that commitment to innovation and improvement. At the 2023 CONEXPOCON/AGG show, John Deere showcased

its latest technology offerings. It included advanced vision and object detection solutions, SmartWeigh, standard EZ Grade on P-Tier small dozers and a variety of other grade management and automation solutions available to customers. “Our portfolio of precision construction technologies is strategically curated to help our customers manage their fleets,” says Kahler. “It also improves job site performance and enhances operator skillsets. Our technologies are

helping to equip the next generations of construction professionals.” INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS The next phase of Deere’s technology journey was displayed with SmartDetect and SmartDetect with Assist. SmartDetect combines cameras and machine learning to help give operators a better view of their surroundings. The system alerts operators when an object enters the machine’s roadsonline.com.au

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

The SmartDetect with Assist system by John Deere provides progressive alerts while slowing or stopping automatically.

projected travel path and provides unique detection alerts for people in the camera’s entire field of view. SmartDetect Assist ensures the machine will automatically stop before touching a person. The SmartWeigh payload-weighing solution for John Deere wheel loaders allows operators to load their vehicles accurately without rework. It’s available as a factory-installed or field-kit option. SmartWeigh is fully integrated with the Operations Center, ensuring payload data is available whenever and wherever needed. It is designed to maximise job site efficiency and increase operational profitability. EDUCATION AND SUSTAINABILITY 2023 saw the rise of attention and education to important considerations for the industry, such as sustainability. John Deere is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and ensuring the sustainability of its engines. It was an opportunity to highlight several key initiatives the company is undertaking to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. This includes improving its machines’ fuel efficiency. Over the past decade, John Deere has achieved an average fuel efficiency improvement of 16 per cent across its construction equipment product line. This has been accomplished through engine technology improvements and machine design enhancements. 44

ROADS DECEMBER 2023

In addition to improving fuel efficiency, John Deere is also investing in alternative fuel technologies. For example, the company has developed a hybrid-electric powertrain for its wheel loader machines, which can reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 40 per cent. The company is also exploring the use of biofuels, such as biodiesel, to further reduce its carbon footprint. REMAN DAY John Deere also celebrated Reman Day this year. It highlighted the environmental and economic benefits of remanufactured parts. Reman Day also provided an opportunity to showcase

support communities as the global population grows.” WORKPLACE SAFETY AND SMART TECHNOLOGY Another essential topic John Deere is committed to is job site safety. This was achieved through precision construction and intelligent technology in machines. John Deere not only focuses on innovation in machines that make jobs easier and more efficient. It also makes machines that make the job safer. Precision construction is about total control of what operators are doing with their machinery. One way to do that is with Deere

“LOOKING INTO 2024, JOHN DEERE IS EXCITED AND FOCUSED ON IMPROVING AND ADVANCING HOW MACHINES CAN HELP PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES REDUCE THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.” its influential role in growing business and industry sustainability. John Deere Reman is a world leader in producing remanufactured parts at equal or better standards than the original. This helps to reduce waste and conserve natural resources. “Remanufacturing was an integral contributor to the company’s mission,“ John Deere Australia and New Zealand Director of Aftermarket and Customer Support Emma Ford says. “It’s an opportunity to connect with businesses and customers worldwide to sustainably

Obstacle Intelligence. Obstacle Intelligence uses a combination of cameras, radar, and machine learning to protect anyone and anything in close proximity. “2023 has proved to be an exciting and innovative year shaped by environmental and people-focused considerations,” says Kahler. “Looking into 2024, John Deere is excited and focused on improving and advancing how machines can help people and businesses reduce their environmental impact.”

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The Smart Construction dashboard is key to understanding the productivity gains that come from data.

DRIVING PRODUCTIVITY GAINS THE ERA OF SMART CONSTRUCTION IS UPON US. KOMATSU AUSTRALIA IS LEADING THE WAY IN DEVELOPING OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITS FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE INDUSTRY. There is less need for people to conduct surveys when drones can enter the air.

ROADS DECEMBER 2023

or the last 20 years, the infrastructure industry has had a low labour productivity rate compared to automotive manufacturing or agriculture, according to the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Australian Constructors Association. This incentivises the construction industry to find new routes to improve productivity, safety, and profits. This is where Komatsu Australia steps in. They have been at the forefront of innovation for over 100 years. James Muir is the General Manager of Smart Construction at Komatsu Australia and has spent many years in the infrastructure industry.

“I started in infrastructure financing many years ago,” Muir says. “I used to see that most projects would run over budget. This would often occur in the planning, design, and construction phases. “Through many reports by consulting firms such as McKinsey and PricewaterhouseCoopers, it’s been shown that the construction industry continues to struggle with improving the labour productivity rate mainly due to the number of variables and challenges construction in the field must contend with. They can include various geological issues and the impact on earthworks, existing infrastructure and utilities, weather and environment, supply chain, and the safety of contractors and the community.” However, the introduction of the global positioning system (GPS) in the late 90’s enabled measurement of the terrain in three dimensions. That creates an understanding of the positions of man, machine, and materials on that terrain. “Everything changed with the advent of GPS,” Muir says. “We could position and measure things far more accurately. At that point, we, as an industry, were starting to digitise our construction environment in 3D. That was the first foray into smart construction across the industry.”

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

FIVE KEY ELEMENTS Muir says there are five critical elements to smart construction. These include increased productivity, improved safety, reduced costs, more relevant real-time information, and a positive environmental and community impact. “These elements do not just represent my opinions but are the voice of the industry as a whole,” he says. “Increasing productivity gets to the core of improving the industry’s productivity rate, but this needs to be achieved whilst simultaneously reducing safety incidents and costs. “A key enabler to this is getting relevant real-time data to make informed decisions quickly. If systems are not carefully designed, companies can receive vast troves of data that can appear to be noise. It’s just too much information, so it’s essential to filter and carve out the relevant information so the company can make the right decision at the right time.” Increased productivity through better technology and relevant timely information dovetails into the increased positive impact on the environment and community. The social pressure to report and measure environmental, social and governance (ESG) measures promptly is growing. “Accountability is massive for the construction and infrastructure industry,” Muir says. “The industry is required to measure and report on their impacts. That’s why Smart Construction is so important – industry demands are driving this change. It’s all about digitising the construction process and the workflow to achieve their objectives.” SMART CONSTRUCTION Komatsu has predominantly been a design and manufacturing construction company, with innovation at the core of everything the company has done for over a century. “For example, Komatsu was the first to market with autonomous machines for the mining industry,” Muir says. “We were also the first to market with integrated machine control within construction. Now, we are the first to market with a suite of construction solutions that work across an entire construction site, even beyond.” According to Muir, no other OEMs are currently providing such a solution. While many provide technology for specific machines, Komatsu is one of the few looking at the entire ecosystem. That’s where smart construction is heading in the next 100 years.

Drones can cover large areas and provide more accurate information.

“Right now, we are a manufacturing solutions company,” he says. “Part of this is partnering with global leaders such as Sony Semiconductors, NTT DOCOMO, and the Nomura Research Institute (NRI). These are all conducted under a joint venture banner called EARTHBRAIN. EARTHBRAIN is developing these solutions at a rapid pace, so we need to have that development capability.” INTEGRATED APPLICATIONS The key to Komatsu’s growth in the Smart Construction industry is integrating its software solutions into one platform. One

It’s products like the Smart Construction Dashboard that are creating new opportunities for increased productivity and profits. Combining GPS with machinery from the excavator cutting edge and the dozer tracks, geographical information system (GIS) data and photogrammetry collected from Smart Construction Drone solution allows project managers to determine the activities and earthworks cut and fill progress. It can even measure the payloads via the Smart Construction 3D Machine Guidance system that goes into individual trucks. It ensures that no truck hits the road while being overweight, and these trucks can

“THE INDUSTRY IS REQUIRED TO MEASURE AND REPORT ON THEIR IMPACTS. THAT’S WHY SMART CONSTRUCTION IS SO IMPORTANT – INDUSTRY DEMANDS ARE DRIVING THIS CHANGE. IT’S ALL ABOUT DIGITISING THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS AND THE WORKFLOW TO ACHIEVE THEIR OBJECTIVES.” way to think of this is the way that Wordstar and Lotus Notes were initially dominating in the late 1980s and early 1990s. However, Microsoft became the primary force in essential office tasks because all those programs operated in an integrated manner. “Microsoft made it easy through dragging and dropping, cutting and pasting, and having everything work together,” Muir says. “That’s what Komatsu is aiming for – providing an easy-to-use tool that can be used across the construction site and beyond.”

then be tracked utilising Komatsu’s Smart Construction Fleet. “We want every app that we’re developing to ultimately give our customers and their project managers better profitability for their customers.” “We also want to empower our customers to improve their competitiveness within the construction market. Ultimately, it will help drive overall productivity rate improvement across the entire construction industry,” Muir says. roadsonline.com.au

Unknown linear features visible in Underdots converging at a central point requiring further investigative action to remove risks.

UNDERDOTS:

A RAPID NEW VISUALISATION OF THE UNDERGROUND

REVEAL, NEW ZEALAND’S LEADING UNDERGROUND UTILITY LOCATING TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, HAS DEVELOPED A SOLUTION THAT COULD SEE WAIT TIMES FOR USABLE DATA DEPICTIONS REDUCED TO A MATTER OF HOURS.

n the planning and design phases of infrastructure projects, commissioning underground utility surveys to find unknown buried utilities is vital. The inevitably labour-intensive nature of this field makes surveys time-consuming and expensive, but depending on the scope of the project, it can take months for designers to receive full depictions of underground risks, in part due to data that requires specialists to dissect and analyse groundpenetrating radar (GPR) reflections captured by the investigating ground crews. A new software product, Underdots, looks set to revolutionise this process by massively speeding up the data analysis of underground utility detections. Utility locators draw upon GPR as one of the key tools for detecting

ROADS DECEMBER 2023

underground utilities. The radar units, which can have single or multiple antennas, send a radar signal into the ground and measure the time span of the reflections back from the subsurface, as well as their intensity and the difference from neighbouring regions. The output from these GPR units looks a bit like a sonogram, with data recorded in slices as the unit travels over the ground. Underdots is an online data processing service that creates a point-cloud visualisation from GPR data. Clustered dots plotted in a 3D mapping environment show the intensity and depth of radar reflections, which can reveal the presence or absence of underground utilities in large areas. Underdots has proven compatibility with

the most popular multi-channel GPR models from Kontur and IDS but should work with all 3D GPR arrays. Users simply upload their raw GPR data from their units to the Underdots cloud service. The data is automatically processed and added to a GIS project with a publiclyavailable or customer-supplied digital elevation model applied. The resulting visualisation is an intuitive, 3D model that gives designers clear indications of areas to avoid. Project Managers can compare the Underdots visualisation to existing utility plans to determine where further invasive investigations such as potholing should be conducted. This includes ‘green flag’ regions where

COMPANY PROFILE

the Underdots detections match the expected findings. UNDERDOTS IN ACTION Underdots has already been used successfully on major infrastructure projects throughout New Zealand, demonstrating considerable value as projects were able to revise designs prior to breaking ground, saving potentially thousands of dollars in construction costs. For example, in the Let’s Get Wellington Moving transport project in Wellington, New Zealand, 12,000 metres of buried tram tracks were identified under a busy commuter road that would have caused major delays to the project if left undetected. A similar incident was identified in Auckland during preliminary surveying for the Eastern Busway Project, where the city is upgrading its transport links. Underdots detected an unknown object underneath a busy intersection that wasn’t indicated on any ‘as builts’ provided by the local asset owners. This early detection enabled the project designers to rework designs to accommodate for the obstruction, saving significant cost and time to the project and the public. Aside from detecting unknown obstructions in the underground, Underdots is also able to confirm the existence of utilities. This can give designers an idea of whether their current plans from asset owners are accurate or whether there is a significant difference between the detection and the original plans. Outside of New Zealand, Underdots has now been trialled internationally with major projects in Australia and Singapore receiving positive feedback.

ABOVE AND BELOW: Underdots detections showing the presence of buried tram tracks with both sleepers and rails visible.

Projects have been able to allocate their resources more effectively and reduced the amount of project overruns due to earlier understanding of utility risks. Reveal is now launching Underdots worldwide, with the service available to all utility locators and contractors with a compatible radar unit. EXPERT INSIGHTS Tim Rastall, Chief Technology Officer at Reveal says the platform provides access to what was previously inaccessible insights about sub-surface data. “Mass radar data collection tools have rapidly improved over the past 10 years, but interpretation and visualisation of the raw radar data has remained expensive and timeconsuming,” he says. “Underdots leverages the fast cloud computational resources we have available to process raw radar data into a format that is useful and can provide immediate actionable insights for designers and consulting engineers at the design and planning phase of their projects.”

The key insights from Underdots result from being able to compare the geophysical investigation data with existing utility plan information in a single environment. “The Underdots visualisation is great for confirming the location of utilities, but more often we are finding evidence of utilities in areas where the plans say there shouldn’t be anything at all,” Rastall says. Underdots can help prioritise the investigations budget for further invasive potholing or trenches, saving thousands of dollars in the process.” Underdots is the first component of many technology products being developed by Reveal. Reveal has grown from a service locating company to the leading utility locating company in New Zealand with a growing client base internationally. Its mission is to revolutionise the infrastructure industry and create the ‘Google Maps’ of the underground to ensure infrastructure projects can manage their utility risks effectively, creating a safer, more sustainable industry for the future. roadsonline.com.au

THE BETTER AN ‘UBER’ FOR MATERIALS MANAGEMENT MAY HAVE PREVIOUSLY SOUNDED LIKE A PIPEDREAM, BUT NOW IT’S A REALITY. THE INTRODUCTION OF THE FILL UP TODAY APP IS SET TO REVOLUTIONISE THE WAY PROJECTS IMPORT AND EXPORT MATERIALS.

ROADS DECEMBER 2023

WAY

any across the roads and infrastructure industry have been begging for a simpler and more streamlined form of ordering necessary materials for construction and infrastructure projects. The Fill Up Today app promises to satisfy these requirements. Daniel Strahle, Fill Up Today Product Manager, says the new app helps to centralise materials management, as well as all of the factors associated. “For us, the concept was really based around our expertise. We’re a civil construction company and we understood that there was a need to

simplify things. That’s where Fill Up Today came about,” he says. “It’s really focused on the management side, tailored towards someone like an operations manager, which was my previous role in the industry. By streamlining as much as we could put into the app, we’ve simplified things like cost control, tracking, invoicing, all on the one platform.” The app places an emphasis on ‘move’, ‘manage’ and ‘monitor’, by enabling users to connect a construction site to nearby subcontractors. Effectively a networking tool, the app places control in the hands of the user to deliver on their requirements. “As an operations manager, you can sometimes spend hours on the phone chasing subcontractors. The beauty of Fill Up Today is that you can essentially

COMPANY PROFILE

“A LOT OF THE TIME IT CAN BECOME A BIG BIDDING WAR. THE IDEA OF THIS PLATFORM IS FOR THESE BUSINESSES TO CREATE THEIR SITE AND NOMINATE WHAT SORT OF MATERIAL THEY’VE GOT, THE RATE AT WHICH IT WILL BE EXPORTED OR IMPORTED, AND THEN THE SUBCONTRACTOR IS TIED TO THAT JOB.”

The Fill Up Today app helps to centralise coordination and delivery of materials across multiple industries, including construction.

The Fill Up Today app has sprinted out of the gates, attracting considerable interest.

create a job and subcontractors will come to you,” Strahle says. To help users to track their orders, the Fill Up Today utilises geofencing to provide accurate, real-time information on the status of each individual order. “It’s also got inbuilt navigation, sites are created with geofencing tracking, which also helps to eliminate paper dockets,” Strahle says. “The flow-on effect of that is once the job’s done, at the end of the day,

the driver can log off and you can have all that reporting data there. You can invoice the job and eliminate the wait time, eliminate any chances of you losing a paper docket and so forth. On top of that is your cost control.” This also gives a big hand to civil construction companies that predominantly rely on subcontractor deliveries, rather than using their own fleet of vehicles. “A lot of the time it can become a big bidding war. The idea of this platform is for these businesses to create their site and nominate what sort of material they’ve got, the rate at which it will be exported or imported, and then the subcontractor is tied to that job,” Strahle says. Fill Up Today also makes driver’s lives easier, helping them to attract a steady workflow, with requirements and specifications clearly outlined for each job. “They may accept a job with a lower rate, but it’s closer to home for example. It’s more beneficial for the driver as well. They’re not tied to just one sort of tier one construction company,” Strahle says. Security is also a consideration through the application, with an indepth onboarding process helping to ensure that all drivers and businesses are properly licensed and certified. Drivers can also be assessed based on a star rating system, increasing the transparency between the subcontractor and the user. All that’s required is proof of a licence, vehicle registration, insurances and a daily compliance check. The Fill Up Today app is currently available through the App Store and Google Play, with a slate of upgrades

With just a few taps, users can have their requirements fulfilled for materials imports and exports.

and updates also on the horizon. Strahle says there’s been “a lot of interest” in the app so far. “We’ve had quite a few people say they’re kicking themselves that they didn’t think of a concept like this a little bit earlier,” he says. “With organic growth, we’re hoping that the platform will take off nationwide fairly quickly. We’ve already got relationships within the civil construction game, so ideally we can keep up the momentum we’ve already built in Victoria.” In the end, Strahle believes potential users will quickly make the switch once they get their hands on the platform. “It’s very hard to knock back any increase in productivity. We’re confident that this platform will provide that,” he says. roadsonline.com.au

AUSTRALIAN FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT ASSOCIATION

Congratulations to the Winners !!! AfPA 2023 National Industry Awards & Conference Gala Dinner

Safety Initiative Award Fulton Hogan

Innovation Award Puma Energy

Outstanding Project < $10 m Award COLAS Australia Group

Outstanding Project > $10 m Award Fulton Hogan

Industry Leadership Award John Kypreos & Clair Price

A POSITIVE AND IMPORTANT IMPACT ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE MAGAZINE REFLECTS ON THE IMPORTANT TOPICS AND CONVERSATIONS ADDRESSED AT THE 19TH AFPA INTERNATIONAL FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT CONFERENCE IN BRISBANE, AS WELL AS WHY THERE CONTINUES TO BE OPTIMISM TOWARDS THE FUTURE OF FLEXIBLE PAVING.

ne of the core strengths of the Australian Flexible Pavement Association (AfPA) is the ability to attract and gather flexible pavements professionals from across Australasia, pooling together some of the sectors brightest minds to establish effective solutions. The organisations’ International Flexible Pavements Conferences have been a bedrock for such conversations for years, with the latest housing discussions around growing momentum for “Safely Paving the way to Carbon Zero”. The 19th rendition of the major AfPA event grows on the organisation’s history of hosting and supporting platforms to tackle important industry topics and challenges. It also marked one of the many events held since COVID-19. Tanja Conners, the COO of AfPA, and Graham Perrett, Federal Member for Moreton and Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, officially opened the event. Right from the get-go, the conference provided a platform for thought-provoking discussions, knowledge sharing, and the exchange of ground-breaking ideas. The opening keynote address by Bernard Salt, discussed how “All roads point to a bigger, better, ‘flexier’ Australia: Why you should have confidence in the future of flexible paving in the 2020s and beyond.” Day two of the conference was kickstarted with a visionary discussion on “Vision for net zero carbon emissions – an international perspective.” The focus was on efforts to decarbonise the road sector in Europe and explore alternative binder solutions for sustainable and greener pavements. Dr. Richard Willis and Joseph Shacat from the National Asphalt Pavement Association, Mats Wendel representing the EAPA, and Dr. JeanPascal Planche from the Western Research Institute led the way. Erik Denneman from Puma Energy shared a ground-breaking approach to capturing and storing atmospheric CO2 in roads using

The 19th AfPA International Flexible Pavement Conference was held in Brisbane from October 30 – November 1.

‘Safely Paving the way to Carbon Zero’ was the main theme that drove conversation and discussion at the conference.

biogenic bitumen. Kanjana Yindee, hailing from SAMI Bitumen Technologies, provided a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of a green binder, a crucial step towards sustainability. Ben Ramsay from Viva Energy Australia presented an energy company’s approach to sustainability. The second day of the conference also marked a deep dive into the technical intricacies of the industry’s journey

toward a carbon-zero future. The day’s agenda spanned a spectrum of critical topics, covering everything from Technical Evaluation Options to Safer People and Roads, Opportunities for Bitumen and Surfacings, Innovative Surfacings, and Industry Practices Improving Outcomes. Tyrecycle sponsored an engaging session on crumb rubber in roads, shedding light on sustainable road construction practices. roadsonline.com.au

The 19th AfPA International Flexible Pavement Conference also featured a trade hall, showing off the latest in plant and machinery developments from across the sector.

NAECO stepped up with its support for ‘Sustainability through Technologies Intelligent Construction,’ offering a glimpse into cutting-edge approaches. Two informative workshops also took place. “Workshop - Alternatives to Cutters in Sprayed Sealing”, which was sponsored by COLAS Australia Group and simultaneously, “Workshop - Optimising Material Use and Reuse,”, which was sponsored by the Wirtgen Group. Day three of the conference kicked off with a dynamic start as Anita Langford, Assistant Secretary of the Program, Policy, and Budget Branch at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts, took the stage. Her discussion on “Land Transport Infrastructure: Australian Government Reforms and Priorities” set the tone for an engaging day of learning. Following Langford’s session, the stage was graced by none other than Ian Roberts, a renowned activist, professional sporting identity, and actor. His keynote address left the audience inspired and motivated, as he shared his unique insights and experiences. Three conference workshops also helped to address important topics on the conferences last day. “How to reach Net Zero by 2050” took a look at a sustainable future, with experts 54

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sharing their strategies and ideas on achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. “Where do we go from here to ensure our workplaces are more diverse to support sustainability?” looked into the crucial link between workplace diversity and sustainability. The conference also laid a foundation for impactful strategies and targets geared towards increasing diversity and safety throughout the sector. An engaging panel featuring Katriina Tähkä, Tim Gander, and Emma Thomas, CEO of Sunshine Coast Council, delved diversity and inclusion, as well as how these aspects can greater support businesses on their journeys towards a carbon-neutral future. The ‘Education Lab’ at the conference also heard valuable insights from industry experts, fostering a deeper understanding during this knowledge exchange. Senior Social Inclusion Advisor Andrew McDougall along with John Hollands and Vince Sanfilippo the General Manager of QLD & PNG at CPB Contractors presented compelling industry case studies, shedding light on innovative practices and initiatives promoting diversity and inclusion. Attendees also heard about tips and practices to ensure the safety of works sites, making sure all stakeholders work seamlessly together for safer roads, as part of the “Advancing Road Worksite Safety and

Stakeholder Coordination” workshop. Special guest Wayne Schwass also touched on the importance around essential conversations on mental health. He said that prevention is always better than a ‘cure’, outlining ways to foster mentally healthy workplaces and communities. The conference trade hall was a constant source of networking and engagement with some of the industry’s biggest players. The latest in machinery, sustainable materials science, technology and more was on show across all three days of the conference. The 19th AfPA International Flexible Pavement Conference looks set to inspire change and lasting impacts across the industry for the better. Now, it’s up for the industry to take these learnings and influence real change. AfPA would also like to thank its valued sponsors for their support of the conference, as follows: Platinum Sponsors: Viva Energy Australia, Puma Energy; Gold Sponsors: Department of Transport and Main Roads , SAMI Bitumen Technologies, WIRTGEN GROUP; Silver Sponsor: ASTEC; Bronze Sponsors: Geofabrics Australasia, TCI, Caterpillar Inc., Tyrecycle; Session Sponsors: Fulton Hogan, COLAS Australia Group, Downer, State Asphalt Services, Tyre Cycle, Altus Traffic Australia; Kiosk Sponsor: Action Auto Electrics.

CELEBRATING INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE

The AfPA 2023 National industry Awards and Conference Gala Dinner celebrated outstanding achievements of companies and individuals from across the sector.

HERE’S A RECAP OF THE AFPA 2023 NATIONAL INDUSTRY AWARDS AND CONFERENCE GALA DINNER, WHICH FORMED PART OF THE 19TH AFPA INTERNATIONAL FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT CONFERENCE IN BRISBANE.

he AfPA 2023 National industry Awards and Conference Gala Dinner congregated industry representatives to celebrate and recognise outstanding achievements from across the flexible pavement sector. Sponsored by Viva Energy, the event highlighted both state and national award winners for their contributions in 2023. Sally Stannard, Acting Director General for the Department of Transport and Main Roads, and Tanja Conners, AfPA COO, opened the awards night, before MC and actor Mary Coustas took the stage. New life members were celebrated at the awards, the latest being Nigel Preston, Kevin Plenty were in attendance for the latest rendition of AfPA’s 2023 National industry Awards and Conference Gala Dinner.

McCullough and Tony Wehl, reflecting their contributions and value to the industry. Existing life members of the association were also present, including Dougall Broadfoot, Robert Vos, Paul Debritt, Con Rimpas and Rob McGuire. AfPA CEO Carlos Rial proudly presented a donation cheque of $6500 to Jason Banks, TIACS Co-CEO. TIACS is a lifeline, providing free mental health counselling services for tradies, truckies, rural, and bluecollar workers. The AfPA National Female Innovation Award for 2023 was bestowed upon Puma Energy for its Carbonbind project, which is

helping to push the envelope when it comes to sustainable alternatives. The AfPA Male National Industry Leadership Award for 2023 was awarded to John Kypreos from State Asphalt Services, recognising his efforts and contribution to the industry. The winner of the AfPA 2023 National Outstanding Project Award Greater than $10 million was Fulton Hogan for their Groote Eylandt Airport (GEA) GEMCO project. Fulton Hogan also took out AfPA 2023 National Safety Initiative Award, for its RCS Dust Management Research Project. The AfPA 2023 National Outstanding Project award for less than $10 million was presented to NSW COLAS Australia Group for its work at Western Sydney Airport. The company’s contributions included the use of its spray seal application, enhancing pavement durability, waterproofing, and dust reduction. The recipient of the AfPA National Industry Leadership Award for 2023 was Clair Price from the NTRO (National Transport Research Organisation). Roads & Infrastructure Magazine would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all award winners and nominees. roadsonline.com.au

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megatrans.com.au MEGATRANS is Australia’s largest integrated conference and exhibition dedicated to the logistics industry. MEGATRANS is an interactive expo, reserved for companies offering advanced technology technologies and services, grouped by their contributions to the sustainable supply chain.

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

INNOVATING LXRPS

FOR THE FIRST TIME, A NEW RETAINING WALL SYSTEM BEING USED IN A LEVEL CROSSING REMOVAL IS SET TO INNOVATE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.

he Ovingham Level Crossing Removal Project is the first infrastructure project in Australia to try a new system introduced to the country by National Precast Master Precaster, The Reinforced Earth Company. Substantially improving productivity and speeding construction times, the new system consists of full-height facing panels which are manufactured and delivered to site, that come complete with pre-attached perpendicular counterforts. The integrated counterforts are jointed onsite to a structural concrete footing, which then forms a highly efficient and robust cantilever retaining wall. DANGERS OF LEVEL CROSSINGS DEMAND REMEDIES According to the Australian Rail Track Corporation, there are more than 23,500 railway level crossings in Australia, with 21 percent having operational boom gates or flashing lights. There are around 30 fatalities every year resulting from level crossing collisions and over 1000 near hits annually between vehicles and trains. These projects involve eliminating intersections between roads and railway lines by either elevating the rail lines or lowering the roads. The main objective is to reduce the risk of accidents and fatalities associated with level crossings, which are known to be high-risk areas. IMPROVE SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY Ovingham - one of Adelaide’s busy inner northern suburbs – has long experienced significant traffic congestion due to the presence of multiple level crossings. These often resulted in delays, increased accident risks and hindered emergency response times. The aging infrastructure and growing population exacerbated the issue, necessitating a comprehensive level crossing removal project. The $196 million Ovingham Level Crossing Removal Project is an infrastructure initiative to remove the level crossing at Torrens Road, Ovingham. It involves construction of a 180 metre-long bridge that connect into two approach ramps, with three lanes city-bound

The Australian first retaining wall system was used as part of works for the PTP Alliance in South Australia.

PROJECT: Ovingham Level Crossing Removal Project HEAD CONTRACTOR: PTP Alliance (McConnell Dowell, Arup and Mott Macdonald with the SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport) MASTER PRECASTER: The Reinforced Earth Company and two outbound lanes. The project was executed in multiple phases, involving the removal of level crossings, construction of overpasses and underpasses and realignment of roads. Innovative engineering techniques have been employed to ensure minimal disruption and maintain safety during the construction process. A NEW LEVEL Retaining walls have been a fundamental component of civil engineering and construction for centuries, aiding in managing slopes, preventing erosion, and creating usable spaces on uneven terrain. Widely used across America and Europe, the TechWall system had never before been used in Australia and presents a new concept for optimising retaining walls that combines both precast concrete elements and in-situ concrete. Known as a counterfort retaining wall system, it consists of full-height wall facing units that are secured to a cast-in-place footing. The facing panels – which can easily feature architectural detailing and patterns - are each cast with counterforts on the rear side. Panels are delivered with rebar dowels protruding from their bases. On site, the footing is formed, reinforcement is placed, and the panel dowels are tied in

to provide the necessary embedment and development lengths. The cast-in-place footing is then poured, securing the panels in place and increasing the effectiveness of the load transfer mechanism to the ground. According to The Reinforced Earth Company’s Managing Director in Australia Riccardo Musella, the system’s full height monolithic units mean no soil reinforcement is needed and it is a simple and economic replacement for traditional cast-in-place cantilever wall designs. “It is perfect for narrow cut situations or applications with extreme obstructions within the fill zone, and offers complete aesthetic versatility, with facing panels allowing for a wide variety of surface patterns and textured if desired,” he says. The Ovingham Level Crossing Removal Project serves as a blueprint for similar infrastructure projects aiming to enhance safety, connectivity and overall quality of life in urban areas. Its success highlights the importance of thorough planning, stakeholder engagement, and innovative construction techniques in achieving project objectives. Musella says he’s “very proud” that his company had the opportunity to work with the PTP Alliance to bring this technology to Australia. roadsonline.com.au

CONTRACTS & TENDERS

CONTRACTS IN BRIEF ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDES AN UPDATE ON SOME OF THE CONTRACTS AND TENDERS RECENTLY AWARDED OR PUT TO MARKET ACROSS THE AUSTRALIAN INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS. NEW SOUTH WALES

Contractors shortlisted for Parramatta Light Rail Stage Two works Major infrastructure providers have been shortlisted for a contract to deliver a new bridge connection over the Parramatta River, as part of the second stage of the Parramatta Light Rail Enabling Works package in New South Wales. The organisations shortlisted for the Request for Tender process include CPB Contractors Pty Ltd / McConnell Dowell Constructors (Australia) Pty Ltd; Fulton Hogan Construction Pty Ltd / SRG Global; and John Holland Group Pty Ltd. The package involves the delivery of a 320-metre-long public and active transport bridge over Parramatta River, together with approaches on either side of the river, totalling 1.3 kilometres. It will be the first major bridge crossing over the Parramatta River since the completion of the Ryde Bridge in 1987. Design and early works (including site establishment and utilities relocations) are expected to commence in 2024, with major construction to start in 2025, subject to planning approval. Once constructed, the bridge will integrate with the planned 8.5-kilometre stretch of new shared walking and bike-riding paths and separated cycleways along the Parramatta Light Rail Stage Two corridor, also connecting to existing local shared path networks. The project attracted interest from more than 19 organisations across Australia and around the world during the Registration of Interest process (between 5 December 2022 and 18 January 2023). Of those, eight submissions were received from Expressions of Interest between 30 January and 14 March 2023, which culminated in the shortlisted organisations. The contract is expected to be awarded in 2024. Downer receives ADF contract extension Downer has received an extension of its Estate Maintenance and Operation Services contract with the Australian Department of Defence, worth approximately $400 million. As part of the contract, Downer is responsible for providing base and estate management and support, transport services, and land management services for Defence bases and training facilities across the Southern New South Wales, Queensland and ACT Defence regions. Downer has provided manufacturing and heavy industry capability to the Defence

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sector since the 1940s. The 12-month extension will come into effect in August next year and will run through to 31 July 2025.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Contract awarded for Woomera Redevelopment Program The Australian Department of Defence has awarded a contract for design development activities on the Woomera Redevelopment Program in South Australia. CIMIC’s CPB Contractors in a joint venture with Downer will contribute to a delivery phase consisting of upgrades to buildings, services and infrastructure, with an estimated value of between $500 million and $750 million. CPB and Downer’s works on the project will form part of the Department of Defence’s submission for Parliamentary and Government approval. The project will aim to redevelop the Airforce’s Woomera Range Complex, comprised of both the Woomera Test Range (Air Force Test Ranges Squadron), RAAF Base Woomera (20SQN) and the Nurrungar Test Range. The range supports a wide variety of trials covering many defence related technologies including ground-based weapons systems, explosive ordnance and hazardous materials, and specialised force preparation activities.

QUEENSLAND

Procurement enters next stage for Logan, Gold Coast Faster Rail The next phase of procurement has commenced on three projects that form part of the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project in Queensland. Through the Registration of Interest process, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) received strong interest from industry and has multiple parties registered for each package. TMR will soon release Requests for Proposals to accepted registrants for the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail Project Level Crossing Removal Package and Rail Package. The Level Crossing Removal package will remove existing level crossings at Beenleigh Road at Kuraby station and Station Road at Bethania station and improve safety for these local communities. These works will be delivered through a collaborative design and construct contract. The rail package will

deliver the major rail works between Kuraby and Beenleigh including the duplication of track, station upgrades, the remaining level crossing removals, local road works and active transport connections. The design and construction will be delivered through an alliance contract. The Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail and Loganlea Station Relocation projects are jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland and governments. Government investment in the project has totalled $2.6 billion. Joint Venture awarded Hope Island Station contract A joint venture of Georgiou and Acciona has been awarded a contract to design and build the new Hope Island Station for the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority in Queensland. The new Hope Island Station will provide the local community with greater access to rail services within the Gold Coast and to Brisbane. The project represents one of three new stations on Queensland’s Gold Coast being delivered as part of Cross River Rail’s New Gold Coast Stations Program. Scope of works include: station facilities including station buildings, customer service, ticketing gates, passenger information services and bathrooms; station elements including elevators, stairs, plaza canopy, fencing and CCTV; station platforms and telecommunication requirements and Park ‘n’ ride car park and associated service infrastructure. Construction will also include a lock-up bicycle enclosure; public transport interfaces including a bus stop, accessible taxi rank bays; new signalised intersection upgrade at Hope Island Road and Active transport infrastructure into the existing local shared user path network. The Acciona Georgiou Joint Venture (AGJV) is already delivering the Coomera Connector Stage One North package, located immediately adjacent to the Hope Island station. Enabling works on the Hope Island Station project commenced mid 2023 with major construction scheduled to commence in early 2024.

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ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA DECEMBER 2023

RUNS RINGS AROUND OTHER BINDERS The SAMIfalt I-Brid “Universal” Binder has officially entered the space-age. After two years of NASA-level testing, SAMI Bitumen Technologies is proud to introduce their latest innovation: the Samifalt I-Brid “Universal” Binder. Made for roads that carry heavy loads, this revolutionary new binder is highly resistant to even the most extreme temperatures—making it ideal for airports and highways (no matter where they are in the universe).

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