It seems like computers have found their way into every human endeavor, even various construction functions, in the field as well as the home office. Here are some of the latest software products for road and bridge construction.
Time your travel
GPS Travel Time software allows traffic engineers and other transportation industry professionals to accurately and easily collect travel time data using a GPS receiver and either a laptop computer or personal digital assistant. GPS Travel Time can work with just about any vehicle. As the vehicle moves along, GPS data is sent from the GPS receiver to the laptop or PDA. The GPS Travel Time software from Jamar Technologies Inc., Horsham, Pa., processes this data to provide time, speed, latitude, longitude and a variety of other statistics. This data can then be used by PC-Travel for Windows for comprehensive travel time and delay analysis.
Updated roading
The latest version of RoadEng was in development for more than three years and includes a long list of new features to make it faster and easier to use. Some of the most notable are the survey adjustment history, user-definable attributes, station equations, a 3-D window, improved import/export, image rubber sheeting, interactive curve editing, template objects, spirals, culvert editor, design speed, sight stopping distance and AASHTO standards.
RoadEng Version 4 is available from Softree Technical Systems Inc., West Vancouver, British Columbia.
Loop transmitter
The latest product from Encom Wireless Data Solutions Inc., Calgary, Alberta, is the company's website (www.encomwireless.com). The site features Encom's wireless solutions for traffic monitoring and control, such as the Commpak Model 2513 wireless loop detector transmitter 969). The unit contains an integrated eight-channel loop detector rack with four slots available. The user can plug loop detector cards into the rack and collect data remotely.
System configuration is quick and simple using Windows-based ControlPak software. The comprehensive software package includes a configuration utility, remote maintenance capabilities and wireless link diagnostic features. A highly accurate spectrum analyzer also is included, allowing the user to determine exact noise levels and select the best operating frequencies.
Virtual customer service
Customer service is now available over the Internet through a new service from Arsenault Associates Inc. called Virtual Visit. Virtual Visit is a combination of using a managed remote-access service coupled with Arsenault's Dossier fleet maintenance management software.
Dossier can be accessed from a technical support representative's personal computer (TSR), or a TSR can access a customer's Dossier program on the customer's personal computer. As long as a customer has a connection to the Internet, Virtual Visit can be applied to any customer regardless of where they are located.
Skiing through GPS
SKI-Pro Version 3.0 GPS post-processing software achieves the best reliability by using CheckMate continuous ambiguity resolution technology. Immediately after completing the ambiguity search routine and computing the most likely ambiguities with one set of GPS observations, the SKI-Pro software repeats the routine using a different set of GPS observations resulting in a second set of ambiguities, which are compared with the first set. If the two are identical, they are considered to be correct.
Other major new features in SKI-Pro 3.0 from Leica Geosystems Inc., Norcross, Ga., include a new concept for reporting using HTML and XML technology to produce high-quality, visually attractive reports, a routine for creating and editing National Geodetic Survey B-files and a new GPS processing analysis tool.
Concrete pump software
Ware Systems, a division of Putzmeister America, Sturtevant, Wis., has enhanced its Windows-based Pumpware software to operate reliably no matter what Windows program a customer uses. Pumpware is compatible with past and present operating systems, such as XP and Windows 2000. Although targeted to concrete pumping and placing companies, the software will work with other related construction businesses as well as with pumping and placing equipment from any manufacturer.
The upgraded software comprises five self-explanatory Win Series modules: WinQuote, WinDispatch, WinInvoice, WinMaintenance and WinPrelim. The modules serve various functions. For example, WinPrelim is used to track past-due invoices. Reports subsequently can be created to notify the user when to distribute notice-of-lien paperwork.
Ware Systems also is planning to incorporate its redesigned software into a Global Positioning System.
What a site!
Version 5.0 of SiteVision includes improvements that Trimble Navigation Limited, Sunnyvale, Calif., says offer the user faster job cycles, lower labor costs, lower machine hours, less staking and less rework. SiteVision is a 3-D machine guidance and control system for dozers, scrapers, motor graders, compactors and excavators.
A Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver installed on the earthmover continually computes the position of GPS antennas installed on each end of the blade. An on-board computer determines the exact position of each tip of the blade and compares these positions to the design elevation. It then computes the cut or fill to grade. This information is displayed on a screen in the cab and guides the operator. The cut and fill data also can be used to drive the valves for automatic blade control.
SiteVision 5.0 includes a number of features to increase productivity. Cut/fill mapping allows the operator to identify cut and fill locations using a color-coded map displayed in the cab. Coverage mapping provides visual feedback as to the number of passes that have been made over an area. Terrain mapping allows contractors to use the machine to create a topographic map of the earthwork proj-ect. Avoidance zones clearly identify areas to be avoided, such as underground utilities or toxic areas.
Truck tracker
An extension of the Asset-Link family of fleet-tracking and telematics products, Fleet-Link from CSI Wireless Inc., Calgary, Alberta, is a tracking and reporting device for remotely managing tractor trailers and other mobile assets and cargo. It uses GPS and cellular telephone technology to combine accurate positioning and real-time communication to give operators round-the-clock location and status information.
Fleet-Link can run using the truck's power system or using solar power, enabling untethered or unpowered trailers to continue reporting their status for up to 60 days without any external electrical source.
Fleet-Link's GPS technology can pinpoint the location of an asset to within 50 ft with minimal power consumption.
Browser excursion
Expedition 9.0 is browser-based software that provides timely and accurate information for enhanced team collaboration and better and faster decision making. Through its role-based interface, all internal and external project members can quickly understand changes, status and cost. Expedition 9.0 from Primavera Systems Inc., Bala Cynwyd, Pa., can be used within a company's network as well as securely over the Internet, providing easy access to project information.
The enhanced collaboration through Expedition 9.0 enables more timely responses to critical and potentially schedule-delaying field issues.
Contract management in Expedition 9.0 collects contract information, such as requisitions, change orders, submittals and insurance information, into quick status reports.
That's real mature
The IRD Wireless Concrete Maturity Monitor makes concrete maturity testing a simple task. It provides users with convenient, accurate and efficient information on the curing time of their concrete by using radio frequency communication between small embedded temperature sensors and a hand-held computer, which can monitor multiple sites.
The hand-held unit uses a standard ASTM process and algorithms to predict concrete compressive strength from measured temperature data. Users have the option to use either time/temperature factor or equivalent age methods. The Wireless Concrete Maturity Monitor is available from International Road Dynamics Inc., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Maintenance software
EZ Maintenance is a complete Windows-based software package that can manage, track and control an unlimited number of vehicles and equipment maintenance costs. EZ Maintenance from Transportation Maintenance Solutions, Jacksonville, Fla., is network-ready out of the box. There are separate modules to handle both vehicles and any type of equipment. It will produce more than 80 reports to help fleets manage costs. Equipment can be categorized by location, type, serial number, VIN or license number.
