National Highways has tested a new compaction technology aimed at speeding up construction processes and enhancing safety at road sites.

The trial took place during the A303 upgrade project undertaken by Galliford Try Infrastructure.

Compaction is one of the first activities to happen on a road project and is carried out to ensure roads remain level and safe to drive on for years to come. This is a significantly important process in the project, and if not managed correctly, can impact costs and risk.

The new technology uses 3D mapping and a sophisticated sensor system, which ensures that the right level of compaction is achieved first time and any uneven areas which could cause settlement issues down the line are rectified.

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The machines used to trial the new technology were fitted with Caterpillar’s Cat Machine Drive Power technology and Cat Compaction Meter Value.

Using these features, the driver can set the target depth and compaction level required using a device in the cab of the machine. This enables the operator to pre-set the roller, so it functions automatically and operates within the required parameters. This ensures the task is completed safely and eliminates the need for someone to be on the ground on site during the compaction process to check the ground levels.

Jon de Souza, Innovation and Research Lead for Galliford Try, commented: "We were delighted to be able to demonstrate our commitment to innovation through the collaborative delivery of this research trial. We believe that connected and autonomous plant has the potential to transform construction over the coming years, improving safety and productivity while reducing carbon emissions."