Wirtgen leads the world market in road and mineral technologies
All the machines offered by Wirtgen are equipped with computer-assisted automated features which optimize operating processes and machine productivity.
P. Ramesh,
Managing Director & CEO,
Wirtgen India
All the machines offered by Wirtgen are equipped with computer-assisted automated features which optimize operating processes and machine productivity.
How do you assess the scope and potential for digitalizing road construction, especially NHAI projects?
With increased demand for better quality of roads, more and more digitalization has to be brought into work for benefits like higher productivity, controlled costs, perfect predictability, efficiency, quality, safety etc. from a range of new control technologies and digitalization. In addition, this help to the keep projects on track and complete them in time with higher quality.
However, now things are changing as equipment manufacturers are offering advanced functionalities such as GPS, data collection, condition monitoring, secure remote maintenance, connectivity options and much more. With this, the barriers for adopting new technologies are falling; however, it would take some time to reach automation levels deployed in the western world. Programs like Value Engineering from MORTH have already paved the road for adoption of new technologies.
Brief us on the innovative contributions from Wirtgen in revolutionising road construction through innovative digital platforms?
With its innovative, high-performance and cost-efficient products and technologies for cold milling, soil stabilization, hot and cold recycling, concrete paving and surface mining, Wirtgen leads the world market in road and mineral technologies. All the machines offered by Wirtgen are equipped with computer-assisted automated features which not only optimize operating processes and machine productivity but also improve operator performance. Intelligent information and diagnostic systems additionally support and relieve the operator, resulting in a faster and more efficient way of working. Wirtgen's customer-oriented development expertise is a guarantee of innovations tailored to the needs of the market. The new solutions for cold milling developed at the brand headquarters in Windhagen are founded on practical know-how and core competences in levelling, control and cutting technology.
WITOS Fleet View: -This digital telematics solution records operating, position and maintenance data from VÖGELE, WIRTGEN and HAMM machines, increasing fleet availability as a result. The telematics solution enables the Wirtgen Group to analyse service-related parameters, such as total operating hours, and to send notifications of upcoming servicing intervals to customers. Customers and their employees also have access to this data in a clearly structured web application. Via a special online connection, they can take advantage of various analysis functions.
WITOS Paving Plus:-It is GPS based digital platform which links all parties involved in the project in a network. It collects real time data from various sensor installed on the plant and machinery. Before construction work begins, for instance, the site manager prepares the project using the Control Module. The mixing plant supervisor uses the Materials Module. The trucks automatically transmit their precise position including estimated arrival time to the system via the Transport Module. The paving supervisor and/or the paver operator operate the JobSite Module locally on the job site. Once the project is complete, the site manager has all the data available for evaluation in the Analysis and Documentation Module.
With WITOS HCQ, HAMM has taken another leap forward, towards the digital construction site. Here, all process data that has been collected is transferred to the WITOS portal via the mobile network. Individual people who have been granted corresponding access rights, such as construction site managers, supervisory authorities or consultants, can then monitor the construction site in real time from any location using the WITOS portal, provided by the Wirtgen Group.
What are the major challenges in adopting such advanced IoT / embedded sensor-based technologies in the design and construction of roads?
The main challenge in adopting IoT is the conservative mindset of the user industry. These technologies come with little higher cost but in long term, they can be much more beneficial. They provide a varying range of data, improved worker safety, real-time reporting, continuous improvement, remote operation, keeping track of equipment, supplies and levels, equipment servicing and repair, remote usage monitoring, precise construction management, power and fuel savings.
Another challenge in adoption of digital technologies is non-availability of skilled manpower.
How supportive are the existing codes and specs in the adoption of such advanced technologies?
In India, government has laid a foundation of digitisation in road construction with its 'Digital India' mission and various other schemes. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) is encouraging the implementation of a 'Value Engineering Program' to promote the use of new, emerging and advanced technologies.
The codes and specification to include advanced technologies in the project are reflecting in the DPR of the road project. In recent years, some of the Indian states have also initiated proposals to adopt advanced technologies like 'Intelligent Compaction Measurement Systems' to support quality monitoring programs in road construction. The government existing codes and specs are quite supportive of advanced technologies.
What is the current status of the road sector and how do you foresee the future trends in road construction?
India has the 2nd largest road network in the world of 5.8 million km which comprises national highway, state highway, urban and rural roads. National highway in India accounts for 2% of the total road network and carries about 40% of passenger traffic. The Indian government is encouraging PPP (Public-Private-Partnership) model in the highway sector to increase the pace of road construction. The Indian government is planning to increase the national highway network to 2,00,000 km by the year 2022.
The government is focussing to increase the road connectivity by increasing the length of national highway, expressway, economic corridors, industrial corridors, village roads (PMGSY) etc. The future trend indicates that the road construction will increase in India and new technologies will be required to fulfil this need.
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