During national conferences, manufacturers, innovators, tech experts, contractors and operators gather to view and discuss cutting-edge technology and machines. Attendees at conferences like the Consumer Electronics Show start a conversation about recent innovations in equipment or the benefits of technology. Often, translating innovations from the factory floor to the job site includes creating additional training to overcome any unforeseen challenges. To streamline technology adoption and provide opportunities to contractors, equipment companies collaborate with contractors to identify issues and provide training, shortening the learning curve. These partnerships give contractors exposure to solutions tailored for today's job sites.
Based on discussions with construction technology leaders at RDO Equipment Co. and other contractors, we examined four technology trends reshaping job sites. Read these stories of technology adoption and discover insights about how contractors are working with their trusted partners to onboard solutions.
1. Fleet Managers Connect Every Machine
In 2024, doing more with less is imperative, not just a suggestion, for businesses looking to thrive. Contractors use cloud-based technology to capture real-time equipment location, usage and performance data. Fleet managers say this data is invaluable as it informs daily operation decisions.
Managers monitor progress in real-time when machines are equipped with Topcon's GPS positioning and automated data collection like John Deere Operations Center's Data Sync. They can optimize workflows by instructing operators to adjust their idle time or double-check their grades to prevent over-digging. Excavators equipped with Topcon GPS technology allow operators to easily follow design specifications and ensure proper slope angles. Managers and operators communicate with connected machines to keep the project on schedule and within budget.
Many earthmoving contractors like Hammett Excavation have opted to ensure each of their excavators on residential pad development sites are connected. Darin Stroud, Vice President of Hammett Excavation, uses the data collected in real-time to ensure projects are completed on time. Plus, this technology allows his team to more accurately estimate costs for upcoming excavation job sites, saving time in the bidding process.
2. Contractors Work with Engineers to Create Digital Twins
For upcoming projects contractors say the preconstruction phase starts earlier than in previous years and involves more stakeholders. To help set up the project for success, contractors invest time in developing a business management system through cloud-based technology to automate data integration from third-party applications and set up workflows throughout a construction project’s lifecycle.
After the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was signed into law, state and federal funds have become available through grants for various road-building projects. During the next ten years, $1.2 trillion of government funding will be dedicated to transportation and infrastructure spending, with $550 billion of that figure going toward new investments and programs. With these funds available through grants, federal and state roadbuilding projects often require more oversight with periodic progress reports. Manufacturers like Topcon have developed Aptix™, a platform to design 3D models of job site operations, including earthworks or earthmoving data points gathered from telematics and project schedules. With this digital model of the job site, contractors can quickly troubleshoot scenarios with their engineers before an unforeseen issue happens, like if a large excavator requires a technician. These notifications can prevent costly downtime.
With a digital 3D “twin” model, contractors can use Aptix's platform to automate report generation and reduce manual data entry to share updates with vendors or stakeholders through dashboards. Contractors can create data visualizations through Aptix's dashboards to highlight where fleet managers need to adjust their daily operations to meet the project's schedule.
3. Contractors Use Compact Machine Control Solutions
Contractors have discovered an in-the-cab communication solution to check grade and landscape changes against the topography design plan: Topcon’s MC-Mobile system.
A mobile mapping solution designed for efficient data collection in surveying and mapping applications, the MC-Mobile system uses GNSS (global navigation satellite system) technology or Total station with a prism. The MC-Mobile system's satellite receivers and prism are mounted on any size machine. Besides excavators, contractors can also install the MC-Mobile system on their operator's support machines, such as skid steers or loaders. When owner-operators hire subcontractors, they can share data along with the grade plan through the MC-Mobile system. For both contractors, the mobile mapping solution creates peace of mind. The subcontractor hired has a clear picture of the plan. In contrast, the other contractor can have confidence that he or others on his team won’t experience problems with the subcontractor’s work later in the building process.
4. Road Scans Dynamically Adjust Asphalt Paving
Many manufacturers have responded to an increase in demand for roadbuilding projects due to the IIJA. With a focus on resurfacing and rebuilding deteriorated highways that will last for years to come, contractors opt for technology to scan the recently paved road to discern compaction rate and determine its smoothness.
Based on environmental factors such as soil type and weather, an engineer works with a contractor to identify the ideal compaction rate. The compaction of the paver can be adjusted by varying the pressure applied by the screed and the thickness of the asphalt mix. The right compaction rate reduces air voids to increase density and the overall durability of the asphalt. Instead of paving and hoping that their team has achieved accurate compaction for smooth roads, contractors now use highway-speed road scans to capture detailed models, including heat maps to identify where air bubbles may have occurred.
For example, Topcon’s SmoothRide™ intelligent paving system allows contractors quickly capture a detailed model of the road using a vehicle-mounted scanner capable of collecting several data in live traffic at typical highway speeds. The model is built with millions of GPS points, enough detail to create a design optimizing smoothness, grade, thickness, line work and other constraints. Pavement Recycling Systems (PRS) and RDO embraced SmoothRide’s technology on five Wirtgen 210i milling machines to quickly resurface the well-traveled Highway 52 in California. With SmoothRide, PRS and RDO were able to see any imperfections and fix them the next day.
More and more contractors are adopting equipment technology and solutions to improve their business operations. Today, contractors have a wealth of options, but to effectively optimize their unique business and take advantage of the market’s increased demand to transparently show their work, they need trusted partners who continuously highlight what their team can learn from the last job. With connected machines, GPS positioning technology and cameras, contractors can work with their trusted partners to identify micro improvements and set data integration so they will be ready for the manufacturer’s next wave of technology solutions.
Scott Schumacher
Scott Schumacher has more than 15 years of experience helping contractors embrace technology solutions to improve consistency and productivity on the job site. As the General Manager of Construction Technology for RDO, Schumacher is a consultant for RDO team members and customers to improve their daily operations. In his free time, Schumacher is a proud "Girl Dad" who watches Disney movies on occasion with his 4 daughters.
