Connected Construction

As an aid to design, construction software continues to be a foundation stone in new project development. Autodesk is working with the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) and the Incheon Urban Development Corporation (IUDC) to cooperate in the creation of Asia's first Digital City for Incheon.

Accurate pavement profiling can be achieved with the new Selcom RoLine 1130 laser sensor from Canadian firm LMI Technologies. It uses laser line sensing for accurate profiling of all pavement geometries on high-speed profilers at any vehicle speed and the unit is said to suit pavement profiling of both concrete and asphalt surfaces on roads and bridges.

Topcon Europe Positioning has released its new DL-500 series digital levels. The new Topcon DL-500 is said to implement the world's first Wave-and-Read technology. "This feature provides an additional survey style option that allows a rod person to wave the staff back and forth, instead of keeping the staff plumb," said Ian Stilgoe, geomatics business manager of Topcon Europe Positioning.

Trimble Dimensions 2009 takes a hard look at opportunities in a tough economy If attendance is the standard by which user conferences are measured, then Trimble Dimensions 2009 should be considered a success. The conference, which took place from 23-25 February at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, USA, hosted more than 2,400 attendees, slightly exceeding last year. The strong attendance, in the face of global economic concerns, was seen by Trimble CEO Steven Berglund as a show of support for the company's tech

Modern satellite technology is making life easier for everyone on the construction site and in the office. Most major equipment manufacturers are now integrating GPS machine control systems into the design of excavators, bulldozers, pavers, and motor graders. For stake-less work it is a major component for automatic grading, surveying, and excavating systems, with contractors and construction companies using GPS machine control systems to improve operations.

The Skanska Balfour Beatty Joint Venture has been selected by Autodesk to receive an Autodesk BIM Experience Award.

Leica Geosystems says that its new Viva TS12 performance robotic package offers a comprehensive package of surveying solutions.

Fugro Aperio is launching its SCANNER survey service, which it says offers competitive, efficient and dynamic highways data collection to assist road agencies and local authorities in reporting to National Indicators.