Construction equipment is no longer just about providing the muscle that crews need to get the work done. Modern equipment also has the brains to help crews work more efficiently and safely, taking some of the pressure off of stressed-out and oftentimes inexperienced workers.
“The amount of equipment that’s designed to be more intuitive and easier to operate, and sometimes even capable of thinking and acting on its own, continues to grow at a rapid pace,” said Dana Wuesthoff, show director for CONEXPO-CON/AGG.
And it’s not just core construction machinery like excavators and wheel loaders that are being equipped with the latest smart sensors and other digital tech. Specialized equipment like pavers, support equipment like generators, and safety systems like cameras and lighting are all being designed with smart features that help make crews’ lives easier.
Specialized equipment requires intelligent and intuitive controls
One challenge construction crews run into is changing job site conditions. Paving contractors know this all too well.
“In working closely with paving contractors from all over the globe, we heard a consistent theme,” said Matt Michel, senior vice president of Metal Forms. “Paving contractors need a machine that will stand up to the rigorous demands of their projects, and also be capable of meeting the strict concrete consolidation specs demanded by owners.”
The problem is that many projects require different vibrator spacing and output depending on the owner’s specifications. This need for customization is why Metal Forms has developed a roller screed that incorporates hydraulic vibrators, which, Michel said, make it easy to adjust spacing. Additionally, the display allows operators to monitor vibrator output and depth while working, helping ensure proper consolidation.
Mobile generators, one of the unsung heroes on a construction site, are also impacted by changing job site conditions. Power demands can vary throughout the day, resulting in frequent periods when a generator isn’t running at optimum capacity. That can cause issues with the generator’s diesel engine, specifically the emissions equipment, where unburned fuel can lead to carbon buildup. That can lead to increased fuel and oil consumption and ultimately increase maintenance and downtime.
Echo Industrial Power Equipment has developed Smart Emissions Technology (S.E.T.) to combat this problem and keep job sites humming along.
“S.E.T. adds a small electrical load to the generator during light and underloaded operating conditions,” said Ryan Fredrickson, senior product marketing manager at Echo IPE. “This assures that the generator and emission control equipment run efficiently at proper operating temperature.”
When crews rush through protocols, mistakes happen
When construction crews are feeling the pressure, it’s crucial to take a breath and reinforce the importance of following job site safety protocols. It’s also advantageous to give crews a helping hand by deploying the latest safety tech to job sites.
Vehicle safety technology is one place to start. Akvile Willmore, group marketing communications lead for Brigade Electronics, said technologies like obstacle detection systems, reversing alarms, mobile digital recorders (MDRs), and vehicle-mounted cameras help solve three major construction site safety risks:
- Blind spots and poor visibility
- Noise
- Theft of vehicles, tools, and fuel
Now, AI-powered cameras can determine if vehicles and other objects are moving or stationary, and can also recognize when certain obstacles are human.
A manufacturer of emergency lighting has also been taking steps to make vehicles safer. By tying it into the vehicle itself, Whelen Engineering’s CenCom Core intelligent control system understands when a vehicle is in park, how fast it’s going, whether it’s day or night, and more.
“Lighting adjustments are then made automatically based on what will be the most effective in a given situation,” said Chris Watkins, technology sales manager at Whelen Engineering. “The operator doesn’t have to fool with pressing buttons all the time. All they have to do is activate the lighting system, and automation handles the rest to keep that vehicle and those around it as safe as possible.”
That’s exactly what “smart” construction job site solutions are all about — improving safety and efficiency while taking some of the pressure off of workers.
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