3D Technologies (e.g., AMG) and
Seamless (?) Data Flows:
Impediments and Strategies
TRB AFB80 Summer Committee Meeting
Estes Park, CO
July, 2009
Alan Vonderohe
vonderohe@centurytel.net
Outline
AMG Specification
Development.
3D Technologies
Implementation
Planning.
Data Flow Obstacles:
Design / Contracting /
Construction.
Outline
How AFB80 Can Help.
– Educational Aspects.
– Technological Aspects.
– Institutional Aspects.
– Legal Aspects.
AMG Subgrade Specification
Development Process (WisDOT/CMSC)
2006
Advisory
Group
Literature
Review and
Industry
Survey
2009
Final Specification
Contractor
and Region
Interviews
Specification
Framework
1st
Specification
2nd
Specification
2nd Pilot
Projects
Stakeholder
Workshop
2007
1st Pilot
Projects
2008
Subgrade Specification Components
 No subgrade stakes required.
 Engineer can require reversion to conventional
methods.
 Contractor’s GPS work plan:
– Equipment; staff qualifications; project control; site
calibration and checks; equipment calibration;
subgrade checks.
 3D model:
– Department provides “survey package” of digital
data.
– 3D model building is contractor’s responsibility; 2D
plans are the contract documents; initial model and
revisions provided to department.
Subgrade Specification Components
 Site calibration:
– Greater of 6 control points or 2 per mile; daily
checks at independent control to be within ±0.10 ft.
horizontally and ±0.05 ft. vertically.
 Subgrade checks (against plans, not model):
– 20 or more per roadway mile, project, or stage;
randomly selected full stations; 4 of any 5
consecutive must be within ±0.10 ft. of plan
elevation; engineer observes and uses for approval;
engineer can make and / or require additional
subgrade checks.
Current and Future Expectations for
AMG Specs
 Specification is optional special provision replacing
subgrade staking as bid item on all 2009 projects that
include grading.
 Will become component of general specifications for
2010 and beyond.
 WisDOT will monitor performance of subgrade spec
while embarking on development of spec for base
course, then paving.
 WisDOT deploying 3D design technology – headed
towards delivery of 3D models as design product.
 Training provided to 80 project engineers (2008,
2009). More training expected over next 2-3 years.
3D Technologies Implementation
Planning
 2008: WisDOT implementing AMG and 3D
design software and processes.
– Preliminary study on wider use of 3D models
throughout design and construction.
– Stakeholder workshop on interim report: AMG and
3D design among larger group of 3D technologies
and processes interrelated by dependencies,
synergistic benefits, and shared impediments.
– Undertook broader effort to develop
implementation plan for 3D technologies for
design and construction in general.
3D Technologies Implementation
Planning
Plan components:
– Vision statement.
– Six Initiatives (on-going or proposed) with
backgrounds, issues, stakeholders,
recommendations, goals, timelines, levels
of effort, priorities, benefits, relationships
with other initiatives, and responsible
parties.
– Dependencies among initiatives and goals.
– Umbrella management strategy.
3D Technologies Implementation
Planning
Vision statement:
“Adoption of 3D methods and seamless data
flows throughout initial survey, design,
contracting, construction, as-built survey,
payment, and other applications included
within the infrastructure lifecycle.”
– Opens the door beyond design and
construction.
Initiatives, Goals, Timelines, Priorities
Initiatives, Goals, Timelines, Priorities
3D Technologies Implementation
Planning
Dependencies among initiatives:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Height
Modernization
and
ContinuouslyOperating
Reference
Stations
Field
Technology
and
Inspection
DTM Data
Collection
3D
Design
Automated
Machine
Guidance
NOTE: An arrow indicates that if goals of the antecedent initiative are not met,
then benefits of the subsequent initiative will be diminished.
Infrastructure
Lifecycle
Uses of 3D
Data
HMP and
CORS
Secure
Funding
DTM Data
Collection
Develop
Standards
&
Procedures
DTM Data
Collection
Fill Survey
Data
Coordinator
Positions
HMP and
CORS
Implement
5-Year
Completion
Plan
DTM Data
Collection
Pilot
Standards
&
Procedures
DTM Data
Collection
Revise
Map Check
Business
Practice
3D
Design
3D
Models
for
PS&E
3D
Design
3D Model
Standards
3D
Design
Existing
PreDeployment
Plan
DTM Data
Collection
Implement
Standards
&
Procedures
AMG
Base
Course
and
Paving
Specs
Field
Technology
and
Inspection
Implement
Rovers for
Construction
Dependencies
among goals.
DTM Data
Collection
Implement
DTM-toDTM for
Earthwork
Field
Technology
and
Inspection
Feasibility
Studies
3D
Design
Extended
Deployment
Plan
Field
Technology
and
Inspection
Implementation
Plans
Field
Technology
and
Inspection
Implement
Inspection
Automation
Infrastructure
Lifecycle
Uses of 3D
Data
Notes: 1) Initiative titles appear in bold font.
2) An arrow indicates diminished likelihood
of meeting the subsequent goal if
the antecedent goal is not met.
Management Strategy
 Recommendations:
 Appoint a 3D Technologies Management Group,
chaired by a bureau director:
 Coordinates recommended activities.
 Provides reporting structure.
 Keeps upper-level management informed.
 Advocates for overall effort.
 Develops outreach mechanisms.
 Management Group includes at least one
representative from each initiative.
 Implementation plan updated at least annually by
Management Group.
Seamless Data Flows: Impediments and Strategies
 Nationwide study funded by Center for Freight
Infrastructure Research and Education (CFIRE) at UWMadison. Project is mid-stream.
 Target is this predicament:
Here’s what we do.
Here’s what we should do.
Seamless Data Flows:
Impediments and Strategies
Approach:
– Literature search.
– Nationwide survey.
– 3-4 case studies.
– Earthwork volumes methods comparison
(average-end-area vs surface-to-surface).
– Design software functionality descriptions.
– Guidelines and recommendations.
Web-Based Survey
Being tested by AASHTO Technology
Implementation Group on AMG.
Will go to remaining 42 states by midAugust.
Three sections (37 questions): Design,
Contracting, Construction.
30-45 minutes to complete.
Availability of Materials
Project reports, specification, guidance
language, implementation plan, and
training materials available right here on
my thumb drive and all the time at
– http://cmsc.engr.wisc.edu/reports.html
How This Committee Can Help
Four areas:
– Educational.
– Technological.
– Institutional.
– Legal.
Educational Needs
Principles and practice of:
– RTK GNSS positioning.
– CORS-based RTK positioning.
– Automated machine guidance.
Target audience:
– Project engineers and contractors.
– Recall that many engineering curricula no
longer include courses in even basic
surveying.
Web-based delivery for wide access.
Technological Needs
Test and demonstration of CORS
support for AMG.
QA/QC procedures for AMG and
associated model specs.
Guidelines / framework for state-level
development of 3D model content and
format standards.
Guidelines for engineering-scale DTM
data collection.
Institutional Needs
Benefits of AMG to state DOTs
and, ultimately, taxpayers.
– Are the productivity gains realized by
contractors passed on to DOTs?
– Are the benefits to DOTs tangible and
quantifiable?
– Why should DOTs develop specifications
for AMG?
Legal Needs
“The downside is that if the model is
expressly subordinate to traditional
construction documents, the model
cannot be relied upon during the pricing
and construction process…”
Thomson and Miner (2006),
in reference to building
information modeling (BIM)
Stay Abreast of and Support
NCHRP 10-77 (pending): Use of Automated Machine
Guidance (AMG) within the Transportation Industry.
“The objective of this research is to develop guidelines
for use of AMG…guidelines should (1) include
technical procurement specifications for AMG
technology; (2) provide guidance on use of such
technology in construction projects; and (3) address
implementation of AMG technology into construction
techniques (including provision of electronic files and
models to support the AMG process).”
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