Signature | Winter 2018/2019

WINTER

/

INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY

REACHING

NEW HEIGHTS From bridges to runways, Michael Baker leverages unmanned aircraft systems for infrastructure inspections We Make a Difference

“… the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack…”

WINTER 2018/2019 | INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

02 CHAIRMAN & CEO NOTE

A message from our Chairman, Thomas J. Campbell, and our CEO, Brian A. Lutes

04 USING TECHNOLOGY TO PROMOTE A CULTURE OF COLLABORATION A column by Martin J. Miner, Chief Technology Officer for Michael Baker

06 IMPACT

06 Laser-Focused Innovation

Michael Baker uses mobile light imaging, detection and ranging (LiDAR) to create a 360-degree immersive experience to evaluate infrastructure needs

12 Reaching New Heights

Michael Baker leverages unmanned aircraft systems for infrastructure inspections

20 Transforming Mobility Through Technology

How Michael Baker's connected/automated vehicle teams are designing intelligent transportation and improving safety

24 LEADING CHANGE 24 A Quicker, Safer Way to Build Bridges – As Easy As ABC How accelerated bridge construction (ABC) can reduce timelines and improve safety

28 ACROSS THE CONTINUUM

A compendium of places, projects and people demonstrating how Michael Baker International makes a difference in the communities we serve

Signature is published by the Corporate Communications department of Michael Baker International to showcase our full continuum of people, places, projects, innovations – and how We Make a Difference in the communities we serve.

Chief Communications Officer: Leanna Anderson Corporate Communications Director: Brian Peiritsch Art Director: Brent Patrick Contributing Writers: Andrea Davis, Evan Pattak, Dianne Stetzer, Greg Faist, Claire Carrell, Timothy Hayes Contributing Photographers: Harry Giglio WINTER 2018/2019 © 2018 Michael Baker International. All rights reserved.

Cover photo: Michael Baker International performed a UAS-assisted inspection of the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge — often referred to as the "Big Mac Bridge" — that connects Cincinnati with Newport, KY.

C H A I R M A N & C E O N OT E

ADVANCING THE INDUSTRY THROUGH INNOVATION AND EXPERIENCE A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN, THOMAS J. CAMPBELL AND OUR CEO, BRIAN A. LUTES

I

nnovation is a natural growth driver and something

recommended roads and water lines, and located

Michael Baker International has embraced for nearly

sites for structures associated with the Andover Earth

80 years. Innovation fuels entrepreneurs, just as it did

Station near Andover, Maine, which communicated with

with our founder, Michael Baker Jr., to never stand still and always "figure it out" when it came to a client or business challenge. That spirit continues today with one of the guiding principles our colleagues exemplify in our work: No Complacency – always challenge the status quo and never settle for "good enough," for our clients or one another.

That spirit guides our approach to innovation and provides a valuable opportunity for Michael Baker to foster a culture that always works to transform the world and make it better, whether next door or abroad, through collaborative creativity, imagination, partnership, shared experiences and unexpected connections – all of which lead to invention and entrepreneurship.

Consider Michael Baker’s work in 1961 to support the introduction of Telstar, the first satellite capable of crossocean telephone calls, TV and data signals. For this project, the firm prepared surveys and site plan drawings,

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the satellite.

We played a key role in the world’s first global communications network, and today, our teams use light imaging, detection and ranging (LiDAR) to help telecom companies locate, design and install fiber-optic infrastructure for new 5G networks that will increase capacity for the internet, the backbone of 21st century communication.

This issue of Signature is dedicated to how Michael Baker leverages Innovation and Technology to solve complex challenges for our clients:

ADVANCING A CULTURE OF INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION Our Chief Technology Officer, Marty Miner, discusses how Michael Baker uses technology to collaborate across teams and geographies to crowdsource solutions for clients and bring new products and services to light.

C H A I R M A N & C E O N OT E

USING LASERS TO COLLECT DATA AND MAKE VITAL INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS Michael Baker’s leadership in the use of innovative

APPLYING ACCELERATED BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES TO REDUCE ROAD CLOSURES FOR COMMUNITIES, CLIENTS

scanning and surveying technologies like LiDAR –

Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) continues to gain

light imaging, detection and ranging – has provided

traction in the U.S. after decades of success in Europe.

clients including the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission,

Michael Baker was an early adopter of this technique,

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, major

and we have put our expertise to work for clients and

telecom companies and others with scanning, imaging

motorists across the country. They benefit from the

and mapping technologies that offer more detail and

focus on safety, reduced traffic impact, cost efficiencies

resolution than conventional methods. It is technology

and other factors associated with this innovative

that maps a 3D world to help solve problems in the

bridge design.

real world.

These are just a few examples of the many innovations

PIONEERING THE USE OF UAS TO OBTAIN VITAL DATA AND IMAGES IN REAL TIME

and technologies that Michael Baker uses every day as

In 2015, Michael Baker became one of the first in the

the more than 3,000 people who believe in a "No

industry to receive FAA certification to operate UAS

Complacency" approach to business and life, which will

airframes, and immediately began flying missions for

keep Michael Baker at the forefront of innovation for

clients, including many DOTs. Today, our use of drones

another 80 years and beyond.

We Make a Difference for our clients and the communities we serve. Technology is impressive; however, none of our ideas or applications would be possible without

for surveys and inspections saves time in the field by accelerating schedules, cutting costs and reducing risks for our clients.

SERVING AS A TRUSTED ADVISER FOR CLIENTS INVESTING IN INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION Several Ohio cities focused on a smart mobility corridor and the Larson Transportation Institute (LTI) at Pennsylvania State University are just a few of the organizations turning to Michael Baker. We help navigate testing and connectivity among roadside devices and smart signals as well as coordinate intergovernmental agencies to make this brave new world of smart infrastructure a reality.

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C H I E F T E C H N O LO GY O F F I C E R N OT E

U SING TECH NO LO GY TO P R O M OT E A C U LT U R E O F C O L L A B O R AT I O N Martin J. Miner, Chief Technology Officer

At Michael Baker International, we are committed to

Beyond the incubator approach, we also introduced a

providing innovative solutions to our clients – as you’ll

virtual GIS Help Desk comprised of our GIS teammates

read in this issue of Signature – and are proud to foster

who, using a social network-like platform, answer GIS-

a culture of innovation for our employees.

focused questions, allowing us to be more responsive

We embrace innovation to engage our colleagues and to support growth for the firm. The new ideas and

to our colleagues and clients, which keeps projects moving and shares knowledge broadly.

technologies we identify are often born out of a need

In addition to our technology incubator providing an

to solve a problem for a client, making innovation a

outlet to share and cultivate ideas, we empower our

natural course of business for us. To truly maximize the

teams to innovate through increased collaboration. It

expertise and creativity that our teams bring to every

is easy for companies to fall into a routine of working

client challenge, we encourage collaboration and provide

in silos. However, technology makes it easy to reach

tools to enable employees to offer their ideas.

colleagues in other practices or departments and connect

We recently introduced our technology incubator model

more easily.

to give employees a platform to voice their ideas. The

This was evident during a recent client challenge when

technology incubator is a formal approach for vetting

we used a crowdsourcing approach and technology

ideas, providing investment and developing strategies to

platform to locate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) pilots

pilot ideas and roll them out nationally. There are many

in states where Michael Baker did not have local drone

creative ideas at work in our Company, and without a

pilots. In one week, we established a network of Michael

formal approach to make sure they gain visibility beyond

Baker and affiliated pilots representing 50 states. By

the local level, few could reach their potential nationally

using technology to facilitate crowdsourcing, we quickly

to benefit clients everywhere.

mobilized to find a solution for a proposal that, in the

For example, an idea from the technology incubator

past, we might not have been able to execute.

led to greater firmwide support for our Public Safety

Crowdsourcing through technology applications is

team’s offering surrounding Next-Generation 9-1-1

gaining ground as a corporate collaboration tool, and

(NG9-1-1). NG9-1-1 is an initiative to update the 9-1-1

we will continue to support it so that it pays dividends

emergency service infrastructure in the U.S. and Canada

for Michael Baker and our clients.

so that any person using a mobile device can reach the emergency services they need. Our Public Safety GIS team developed DATAMARK®, a suite of software and solutions that provides the highest levels of public safety GIS data completeness and accuracy, configurable for NG9-1-1, and has been piloting the offering in several key regions.

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In the meantime, we are focused on connecting teams and colleagues across the Company, encouraging them to work together and discuss their obstacles and ideas to find the best possible innovative solution for every challenge and opportunity.

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LASER–FOCUSED

I N N O VAT I O N Michael Baker uses mobile light imaging, detection and ranging (LiDAR) to create a 360-degree immersive experience to evaluate infrastructure needs

T

he nation’s leading telecom providers use it for

One of these solutions is LiDAR — an acronym for light

richly detailed maps that enable them to design

imaging, detection and ranging (or light detection

fiber-optic infrastructure for their most up-to-

and ranging). Sometimes called laser scanning or 3D

date networks.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has deployed it to assemble a federally mandated pavement inventory that allows the agency to identify and repair trouble spots in a timely fashion.

The world’s busiest airport has relied on it for a series of upgrades that have enabled the facility to accommodate new flights and create a more satisfying customer experience.

What all these major players are using is terrestrial laser technology, leveraging important breakthroughs in scanning, imaging and mapping technologies that provide more detail — at greater resolution — than conventional methods. The common thread is that they have all relied upon Michael Baker International as a key partner for their innovative mobile solutions.

scanning, LiDAR is a surveying method that measures distance to a target by illuminating it with pulsated laser light and capturing reflected pulses with optical sensors.

The differences in laser return times and wavelengths are then used to fashion digital 3D representations of the target. Think of LiDAR as radar with laser beams instead of radio waves – and with vastly higher precision.

While static LiDAR units are typically fixed to tripods that are traversed through a project area, Michael Baker’s solution leverages technological advancements in sensor design to mount lasers on vehicles, thus creating Mobile LiDAR, which also incorporates a spherical array of six cameras to create a 360-degree immersive experience. Pushing the innovation envelope even further, Michael Baker integrated a high-resolution Laser Crack Measurement System (LCMS™) to automatically measure, detect and quantify all key functional parameters of pavement, including cracking, rutting, texture, potholes, shoving, raveling and roughness.

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I N N O VAT I O N & T E C H N O L O G Y |

I M PA C T

"We are not just capturing a representation of what

It is those deliverables that set Michael Baker’s Mobile

is there. We are creating a one-to-one scale model of

LiDAR solutions apart. Because Mobile LiDAR requires

the real world," says Aaron Morris, GISP, associate vice

fewer "boots on the ground" than traditional methods,

president in Michael Baker's Jackson, Miss., office, and

the Company can focus its efforts on processing,

has been with the Company for 22 years. "Moreover, it

analyzing and rendering "Big Data."

brings the added benefit of increased worker safety and, by operating at posted speeds, completely eliminates the need to block lanes or impact traffic."

"Our solution is inversely proportional to conventional methods," Morris notes. "Those are heavy in the field and manually rendered in the office. Our LiDAR-based

With four Mobile LiDAR systems, Michael Baker

approach can produce up to 100 miles of data per

collected data on more than 7,500 miles of roadway

vehicle every day with only two field staff and leverage

corridor over the course of six months in the major

intelligent tools to generate deliverables."

markets of Charlotte, Chicago, San Diego and the San Francisco Bay Area, and within communities spanning a population of roughly 3.5 million and comprising over 300,000 utility poles. The information gathered is not only helping current clients, but it is also building a portfolio for the development of "Smart Cities," where 5G data networks link and allow for management of transportation, emergency response, utilities and health care services. It is a vital new approach that brings multiple information and communication technologies to bear on community involvement, administration and improvement.

Here is a look at some of Michael Baker’s most farreaching innovative deployments:

IMAGES & DATA FOR TELECOM COMPANIES When telecom providers need to locate, design and install fiber-optic infrastructure for new 5G networks —

To build modern new networks, telecom providers must often set new poles or coordinate load-balancing on existing poles. For that task, Michael Baker’s One Touch Make Ready (OTMR) product line, OTMRdata®, is invaluable.

"Every object on every pole needs to be identified so service providers can perform pole-loading analysis," Morris says. "They will run theoretical models to assess for wind load and ice load and tensioning to determine if they need to modify a pole to hang new fiber."

Through a suite of proprietary software, including POLEmapper®, POLEdata®, and POLEexporter®, the Michael Baker team analyzes and shapes data so that clients can complete pole-related tasks on time and in compliance with new federal regulations for OTMR. Mobile LiDAR produces a 360-degree immersive experience.

whether aerial or underground — they require detailed, precise maps to guide them. Michael Baker works with the nation’s largest telecom providers to deliver that information.

"We capture everything within line-of-sight up to 200 meters as we drive down a given roadway," Morris says.

"Our processing teams render detailed planimetrics such as paint striping, curbs, sidewalks, mailboxes and street furniture for planning and permit maps, as well as comprehensive 3D models of every utility pole. It is important for make-ready and construction details to be accurate for attaching fiber cables or antennas to utility poles. Our approach enables efficient collaborative design, accelerating cost-effective deployment of 5G."

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I M PA C T | I N N O VAT I O N & T E C H N O L O G Y

SURVEYING AN ENTIRE TURNPIKE WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR VEHICLE

that the commission is looking for. We provide a series

What would happen if, instead of focusing on the passing

paving projects."

landscape, you directed your lasers and cameras to

of spreadsheets and text files, which feeds into their asset management system that supports scheduling of

the ground as you drove over it? You would have an

The software enables calculation of the turnpike’s

innovative way of surveying the condition of the roadway

International Roughness Index (IRI) and other metrics

itself. The technology is a bit more sophisticated than

that align with PennDOT’s Pub 336 specifications. This

that, as Michael Baker’s pavement condition solution

information helps PTC highlight problem areas and can

includes the LCMS as well as an inertial profiler — or

be used when prioritizing areas for repair or rehabilitation,

"rut bar."

benefiting motorists who are able to travel more safely

"The general principles are the same," says Stephen Clancy, PLS, GISP, associate vice president for Michael Baker's LiDAR operations, "but the pavement system

and with fewer delays. In addition, Michael Baker delivers the data to PennDOT so that it can comply with federal reporting requirements.

uses lasers only focused on the roadway. The resolution

Says Furch: "One of the reasons there is a big push for

and precision of these downward-firing lasers are much

these types of pavement services is that the Federal

finer on the pavement system as it needs to detect thin

Highway Administration requires state agencies to submit

cracks and surface defects."

this information so it can make a national assessment."

For the past three years, Michael Baker has deployed

Indeed, thanks to that emphasis, other agencies are

this cutting-edge technology to help the Pennsylvania

seeing the benefit of Michael Baker’s pavement solutions,

Turnpike Commission (PTC) assess the condition of its

including a multi-year, 26,000-mile statewide pavement

mainline and all related ramps and interchanges (over

assessment for the West Virginia Department of

1,300 miles). The Company’s specialized vehicle can

Transportation Division of Highways and similar services

scan about 150 miles per day, meaning the mainline

for Morris County and Camden County, N.J.

survey is captured in only seven days, and the complete picture of the turnpike (including roaming the turnpike system to acquire 258 addition miles of its extensions and ramps) takes an additional 12 days to produce. Justin Furch, Michael Baker’s technical manager of GIT in the Hamilton, N.J., office, observes that the vehicle does its work at highway speed.

UPGRADING FACILITIES, PASSENGER AMENITIES AT HARTSFIELD-JACKSON In 2017, 104 million passengers passed through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a number that is unmatched in the world. With that kind of volume, an important emphasis for the airport is upgrading

"That is the beauty of it," he says. "Operators can remain

facilities and passenger amenities. Michael Baker and its

in the vehicle as data is collected at highway speed. It is

joint venture partners — Pond & Company and CERM

a big safety plus."

— have collaborated with the airport on a number of initiatives that featured use of both Mobile LiDAR and

Michael Baker has developed customized software

static LiDAR, as well as Michael Baker’s expertise in small

applications to perform data extraction, processing and

unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

exporting of information to fit virtually any client need, including PTC's.

One of those important projects occurred when Hartsfield-Jackson needed to widen runways and

"We collect raw information of every single crack,

taxiways 15 feet to accommodate the new Airbus A380

crevice and pothole on the road," Furch says. "After

and its capacity of more than 800 passengers. The joint

the field data is collected, we have custom-developed

venture used Mobile LiDAR to assess the runways and

software tools that will export the data into formats

taxiways and survey the entire area for widening.

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Michael Baker's Mobile LiDAR vehicles collect data while driving at highway speed.

Reports Quintin Watkins, P.E., senior civil engineer of

that is being tied into our consolidated maintenance

aviation for Michael Baker and program manager and

management system that will allow them to generate

principal for the Atlanta airport project:

service requests to have signs changed, repaired

"We produced a drawing showing the contours to

or updated."

determine the obstructions in the 15-feet extensions

Using static LiDAR, Michael Baker performed a similar

and where water would drain properly. We were able to

survey of the lengthy corridor international passengers

work at night and complete the survey in a single shift, so

must traverse to reach customs check-ins. Explains David

there was no disturbance to plane traffic or passengers."

Wright, geospatial engineering program manager for the

In addition, the airport asked Michael Baker, through

aviation department at Hartsfield-Jackson:

the joint venture, to provide a Mobile LiDAR scan of

"It is a long, sterile corridor that does not offer any

the facility’s complete network of roadway signage that

concessions. The idea was to capture that in an accurate,

guides visitors entering or leaving the airport. Brian

representational way so that we can improve wayfinding

Haren, geospatial program coordinator for Atlanta’s

and the overall customer experience. We are considering

Department of Aviation, indicates the airport utilized the

various options now."

resulting information and images in several ways.

"We used the data for 3D modeling," Haren says, "and

Wright says the impact of LiDAR on airport operations, even beyond specific projects, has surprised him.

we also entered it into a database that uses industry signage codes. It gives our signage group a tool

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I M PA C T | I N N O VAT I O N & T E C H N O L O G Y

"It turned out to be so much more than what we originally

"The intent is to collect imagery with UAS of all the

expected, as we have introduced the technology and

pavement at Hartsfield and provide that to engineers

usability through web interfaces," Wright says. "Our

for inspection purposes. Right now, we are testing uses,

architects and signage and management staff have

procedures and deliverables.

quickly learned that they can do on-site discovery without having to physically go into the field. That is a pretty powerful tool."

"Without UAS, an inspection would close a runway for about four hours. We flew for about an hour, although we did not inspect the entire runway. But the theory is

Finally, in May 2017, the airport teamed with the joint venture for an initiative that involved surveying a portion of a heavily trafficked runway to prepare a pavement distress assessment. For this project, Michael Baker tapped its UAS solutions, flying a pair of drones with sensors to capture Digital Surface Model (DSM) topographical imagery as well as video.

that UAS will reduce downtime."

To follow up that historic mission, Duguay and the City of Atlanta are members of a panel that will work with the Federal Aviation Administration to develop regulations and processes for UAS at airports.

LOOKING AHEAD

It marked the first time UAS was used to fly in Class B airspace surrounding the busiest airports used by jets and other aircraft. All aircraft traffic, including UAS, must be cleared for entry into this closely controlled airspace.

The mission's results were encouraging.

In many ways, Michael Baker’s pioneering use of

technology

is

helping

government

and

commercial clients — across a broad range of sectors — imagine and implement community-serving initiatives.

Just as importantly, the Company’s leadership in

"The imagery is super-high resolution," says Jim Duguay,

innovative scanning and surveying technologies is

Michael Baker's manager of aviation planning who has

providing a stepping-stone for a future that is even

been with the Company for nearly 20 years.

more appealing.

Laser Crack Measurement System (LCMS) is National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT)-certified.

Panoramic Camera and GPS Antenna LiDAR Sensors and Cameras

Cameras GPS Antenna

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

Distance Measuring Instrument

Mobile LiDAR maps the locations and conditions of assets above, on and below the ground.

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Michael Baker also used UAS to capture photography and video to support Mobile LiDAR data collected for the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport project.

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R E AC H I N G

NEW HEIGHTS How Michael Baker leverages unmanned aircraft systems for infrastructure inspections

I

n January 2017, torrential rains caused heavy flooding

weeks for NDOT to fully implement and complete the

along Nevada Route 446 and forced the Nevada

roadway’s significant cleanup and repair, that was a

Department of Transportation (NDOT) to close the

far quicker timeframe than might have been possible

roadway, which is a vital corridor for towns such as Nixon

without using UAS technology and an image-data

and Sutcliffe in the Pyramid Lake region northeast of

processing approach.

Reno. Because the road was largely inaccessible by land high-flying aircraft due to persistent cloud cover, NDOT

ACCELERATING SCHEDULES, CUTTING COSTS, REDUCING RISKS

couldn’t get close enough to examine the damage.

As the dramatic Highway 446 project demonstrates, UAS

due to outfalls along the highway or inspection using

For help, NDOT called on Michael Baker International, a leader in the use of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for a variety of engineering and mapping purposes, including aerial inspections. Michael Baker assembled two UAS teams, which coordinated approximately 30 UAS flights over the stricken areas, producing both still images and 3D point-cloud data.

is a growing phenomenon in engineering, inspection services and related fields. Because of their flexibility and maneuverability, drones can reach places that might be difficult — and hazardous — for hands-on inspectors to access. UAS can provide data and images in real time and in a variety of formats, accelerating project schedules while cutting some "boots on the ground" expenses associated with recurring site visitations for

Within five days, the teams presented NDOT with a

inspectors and surveyors. The gain in worker safety also

survey-grade surface that enabled the department

is significant. While the number of inspections required

to get a handle on the damages and plan for repairs

will stay the same, the lessening of risks to hands-on

and future mitigation. While it took another few

inspectors by providing them the right tools for the job

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is important. Yet commercial UAS is a far cry from the

local airports’ control tower staff, law enforcement

recreational activities that most people imagine when

and state and local highway authorities is key to a

they think of drones. To start, the variety of uses and

successful mission.

situations for drones — airframes, as they’re often called — has prompted manufacturers to produce a wide variety of models with different capabilities. Additionally, the cameras and sensors that the airframes carry are just as diverse for such purposes as photography, video, infrared, thermal, LiDAR, hyperspectral and radiation data collection.

Michael Baker began building its UAS expertise in 2015, when it became one of the first in the industry to receive FAA certification to operate both fixed-wing and vertical-takeoff-and-landing UAS. The Company quickly determined that UAS technology provides clients with several decided advantages — it allows for highly efficient data capture, can improve safety when

Each flight usually entails a pilot and a visual observer/

compared to conventional techniques and is flexible

sensor operator to ensure the proper images are

and scalable for adaptation to most data-gathering

collected — and the airframe returns safely with

situations. Michael Baker committed significant resources

its payload intact. Visual observers provide pilots

to growing its UAS capabilities so that today, it offers a

with immediate feedback on airspace incursions or

fleet of approximately 30 airframes and as many pilots.

unauthorized personnel entering the project boundaries.

Operation of UAS for engineering and professional

In addition, deploying UAS may require flying into

services purposes is a complex yet valuable tool that

controlled airspace as well as in close proximity

likely will continue to grow in demand for applications.

to ground and water-borne traffic. Thus, coordination

Rodney Cope, who serves as Michael Baker’s remote

among the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),

sensing program lead in its Round Rock, Texas, office,

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I M PA C T | I N N O VAT I O N & T E C H N O L O G Y

Michael Baker offers a fleet of approximately 30 airframes and as many pilots.

has been involved with aerial imaging systems, UAS and other cutting-edge scanning technologies for about 20 years. He sees a demand shift ahead.

"The industry is moving toward lightweight, compact and specialized sensor packages that are suitable for UAS and applicable to data collection of smaller areas," says Cope.

"These sorts of operations require much higher image and data resolution for use with cell towers, or roadway and infrastructure inspections where we are providing very high-definition, sensor-derived data and providing it quickly."

Michael Baker is at the frontline in using UAS for a variety of purposes. In the fall of 2018, the company worked with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) on a UAS-assisted inspection of the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge — commonly known as the "Big Mac Bridge" — that connects Cincinnati with Newport, Ky. Using a combination of UAS and rope access inspectors, the team produced a complete assessment of the cables for the entire span. Although a holistic fracture critical and routine inspection was performed, UAS reduced the time required for the cable inspection in half by scanning the cables full-length. The cables were previously rappelled for the first time in the history of the bridge in 2016.

Also, in 2018, Michael Baker served the needs of the executive office for West Virginia Gov. James C. Justice.

The local pilot collected UAS video of earthwork and construction activities along the eight-mile highway corridor (Corridor H), currently under construction, just north of Elkins, W. Va. The Governor’s office used the photographic images and video to record this important ceremonial activity and shared photography with local media for overall public awareness and citizen outreach purposes.

While the firm has done some technically amazing and important work with UAS, a pair of Michael Baker’s innovative projects serves as specific examples of UAS services, including inspecting a historic bridge and providing vital assistance for the Highway 446 flood emergency.

Megan Kelly and Brian Gutzwiller, GISP, Michael Baker UAS pilots, participate in training.

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I N N O VAT I O N & T E C H N O L O G Y |

I M PA C T

THE NATCHER BRIDGE — A SUCCESSFUL UAS TRIAL

The results were outstanding. The team scanned a total

The William H. Natcher Bridge is a historic structure that

rope access exclusively, it probably would have taken five

carries U.S. Highway 231 across the Ohio River between Kentucky and Indiana. When it opened in 2002, the 4,505-foot span was considered the country’s longest

of 96 cables in two days, and one workday was devoted to video processing and review. Had the inspection used to seven days to complete – not including photo logging and documentation.

cable-supported bridge over an inland waterway. In 2017, KYTC undertook an inspection of the bridge and engaged Michael Baker for assistance.

Because the Natcher Bridge provides relatively unimpeded access to all cables, it seemed the ideal environment for UAS. The KYTC-Michael Baker team originally envisioned a hybrid pilot study — half the inspection conducted by traditional rope access, half by UAS. But when inspectors rappelled down the bridge, they were buffeted by strong wind currents. Though the winds were unrelenting, they proved to be a blessing in the skies, so to speak. Those untenable rappelling conditions prompted the inspection team to modify its approach; they would rely heavily upon an inspection of the entire bridge with UAS and verify a sampling of cables hands-on.

From its extensive fleet, Michael Baker used two professional-grade airframes, which feature a dualbattery system that can extend flight time as well as selfheating technology that allows these UAS to function in lower temperatures. Moreover, this professional-grade aircraft can accommodate a variety of video formats. The inspection team determined that video rather than still photography could provide the best inspection record for both the current project and as a benchmark for future inspections.

The team included John Zuleger, P.E., a Michael Baker bridge and rope access group leader and UAS pilot, and Jeff Sams, an inspector and professional rope access technical specialist and UAS pilot in Michael Baker’s Louisville office. Sams designed test flights for inspections to ensure the aircraft could detect potential flaws to the exact tolerances specified by KYTC. For

"Scanning the stays with UAS decreased the time needed for an inspector to be on rope by up to 75 percent. UAS can be a valuable tool when used in the right situations."

Evan Dick | Former Project Manager,

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

As for the quality of the video, that, too, was first-rate.

The team accurately captured all defects previously tagged in rope inspections. Best of all, the airframe was able to detect a one-eighth-inch crack in a high-density polymer casing. A follow-up inspection by rope access indicated the casing was leaking grease rather than rust.

The crack was not yet a safety issue, but its detection enabled KYTC to note the flaw for future observation and repair.

The results impressed Evan Dick, former KYTC project manager. "Through our limited use of UAS on bridge inspections, we have found value in both added safety and cost savings," he said. "Scanning the stays with UAS decreased the time needed for an inspector to be on rope by up to 75 percent. UAS can be a valuable tool when used in the right situations."

the actual inspection missions, the pilot-in-command was directed by Alicia McConnell, P.E., transportation engineer for Michael Baker. McConnell is a UAS pilot and served as the sensor operator for such a technical mission conducted in a difficult environment for flights.

We Make a Difference

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UAS airframes complement manual tasks and expedite the process in surveying and/or inspecting bridges.

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I N N O VAT I O N & T E C H N O L O G Y |

I M PA C T

Zuleger and McConnell echoed those thoughts.

"It is a really powerful tool where rope access is limited or less efficient," Zuleger said. "It mitigates the hazards for inspectors. For more intricate areas, you must be handson. If you keep a ‘tool in the toolbox’ mentality, UAS technology is very applicable in many situations."

Added McConnell, "There is somewhat of a misconception that our UAS airframes will replace current efforts for surveying or inspection. Their true value is found in the ability to supplement those necessary manual tasks."

LET’S GET THIS ROAD OPEN! When Nevada DOT’s State Route 446 was flooded and closed in early 2017, Michael Baker was already using UAS while working with NDOT’s Stormwater Division personnel on several UAS-assisted projects.

"We provided data and images for drainage basins so that they could observe any changes over time," said Polly Boardman, PMP, project manager and office manager of Michael Baker's Reno office. "When the storms and flooding hit in winter of 2017, the need for UAS for quick turnaround collections at various locations intensified and didn’t stop all season, from bridge inventories to the Lahontan Dam release video. This collection at Route 446 was the first of many projects where UAS was the best technology for the job."

The flooding kicked the partnership into a new gear, tackling the biggest problem – access. How could Michael Baker’s UAS team reach State Route 446 to scan the roadway and its damaged surroundings? To meet that need and others, NDOT brought in emergency crews to construct temporary roads of sand, providing limited vehicular access. The UAS team used a four-wheel-drive vehicle and makeshift roads to reach Route 446.

"As long as we followed the emergency construction crews, we could get close enough to the damaged areas of the road to fly," says Adam King, GIS analyst and UAS pilot for Michael Baker and a member of the project’s UAS team. "Having that highway effectively destroyed in places really affected local communities. NDOT said, ‘Whatever it takes, let’s get this road open.’"

We Make a Difference

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I M PA C T | I N N O VAT I O N & T E C H N O L O G Y

The UAS team split into two squads. One utilized a fixed-

"Not every situation where we use UAS is as urgent as

wing airframe with a longer flight duration while the

what we faced with NDOT," notes Robert Hanson, GISP,

other deployed a multirotor airframe with a higher

Michael Baker's senior vice president of technology. "But

resolution sensor that focused on "blowouts" on the

our company’s expertise in UAS takes data collection

route. Between the two aircraft, the team was able to

to a much higher professional level than most others

collect imagery of the entire 15-mile stretch of highway

when dealing with design engineering or professional

in a very short timeframe with high-resolution images of

surveying-related mapping.

the affected areas.

"Our UAS capabilities build upon our company’s full

The team provided NDOT with still images and a dense

continuum of innovative solutions while immediately

3D point cloud generated by an algorithm-based

enhancing the abilities of our technical experts for

method known as Semi-Global matching (SGM). SGM

planning and efficiently executing projects in surface

produces a dense point cloud from photogrammetry

transportation, utilities infrastructure, land development,

principles producing a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) with

pipelines and many other markets," Hanson said. "We

LiDAR-like quality.

are better able to gather data more quickly, safely and

The production of the DTM facilitated calculations of how much earthen fill was required to restore the road’s

efficiently, representing both short- and long-term value to our clients."

original grade for serviceability and its reopening. After the images were put to use for immediate reconstruction purposes, the team exported the data to a Microsoft HoloLens "mixed reality" computer and produced for NDOT a holographic panorama they could manipulate with hand motions to visualize the route’s damage and contemplate potential solutions for its reconstruction.

"UAS was a big help in identifying areas that needed repairs," confirmed Tyler Thew, stormwater design manager for NDOT. "It was great to be able to see upstream and downstream areas, to see impacts that were not visible from the road. Having a visual view of the entire area better showed us why some areas were impacted, and others were not. The holograph helped to

"Michael Baker’s expertise in UAS takes data collection to a much higher professional level than most others when dealing with design engineering or professional surveying-related mapping."

convey how much damage was done. It made the impact really evident to our decision makers."

Thus, the agency was able to develop and implement its remediation plan . . . and think about the future.

"Our output allowed them to see the hills behind the highway from which stormwater runoff could result in future weaknesses of the road," Boardman says. "NDOT could better determine where and how they would need to add or improve their existing culverts."

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Robert Hanson, GISP | Senior Vice President Technology Practice, Michael Baker International

I N N O VAT I O N & T E C H N O L O G Y |

I M PA C T

THE FUTURE O F UA S AT MICHAEL BAKER

By Robert Hanson, GISP, Senior Vice President, Technology Expectations for using small unmanned aircraft systems

flight duration. The FAA’s waiver process entails outlining

(UAS) in engineering operations are sky high. UAS

exacting details for BVLOS operations and flight safety;

systems are available in the U.S. market from hundreds

however, BVLOS is necessary to efficiently operate

of manufacturers. Nearly 800,000 UAS aircraft have been

along or over long-linear corridors or perform large area

registered with the FAA, and thousands of Part 107 pilots

mapping. Already we have several pilots with waivers for

have been certified. Market principles of supply and

UAS night operations and will expand this number to

demand are addressing imbalances between these many

support a variety of highway work scheduled for off-peak

resources to perform work and client receptiveness for

periods — often at night — to alleviate the problems

using UAS within their program requirements. No part of

associated with working in traffic.

the industry is more aware of the myriad choices in UAS or their applications than our engineering community. As engineers, we apply the technology to complex projects, and Michael Baker uses special-purpose UAS with specific capabilities for exacting technical performance and sensor requirements.

Our future flight operations will include both collision tolerant and UAS with sophisticated collision avoidance sensors necessary for working in tight spaces. Back-office data processing will continue to advance with algorithmdriven methods to classify and identify artifacts recorded in the imagery for further data analysis. Cloud-based

The engineering community in general, and Michael

approaches are used for solutions based on artificial

Baker specifically, is at the forefront with practical

intelligence (AI) employing computer vision capabilities

applications of UAS on projects. At Michael Baker, we

to identify specific objects of interest to an engineer

have quickly transitioned from UAS experimentation to

or inspector. Classifications are performed with image

client-driven applications while building our nationwide

recognition on perhaps thousands of images at a time.

staff of pilots and our specialized aircraft. Our projects

We are leveraging available algorithms while developing

were first related to surveys and mapping, inspections of

our own processes. These advancements are important

cable-stay and through truss bridges, and environmental

for Michael Baker as we expand our UAS capabilities

monitoring. We have flown our UAS from the reaches of

into markets such as disaster response, public safety, and

our nation in Alaska to the Florida Keys and are the first

agriculture and wildlife management support.

UAS operation to fly in controlled airspace at HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the busiest airport in the world. For Michael Baker’s UAS program, we are not only first, but we are often best at envisioning and performing complex engineering projects for our clients.

Michael Baker will expand its UAS program in the future.

Our capabilities will include beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations with aircraft possessing extended

Robert Hanson, GISP

Senior Vice President, Technology

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TRANSFORMING MOBILITY

THROUGH T E C H N O LO G Y How Michael Baker's connected/automated vehicle teams are designing intelligent transportation and improving safety

T

he quickest way between two points is a straight

by the three partner organizations and will be located in

line. But that doesn’t necessarily make it the

the State College, Pa., region.

safest, most appealing or most efficient.

PennSTART, to be located on a new 110-acre site,

That’s why Michael Baker International has immersed itself

will feature a 1.5-mile high-speed oval test track

in two major independent projects — one in Pennsylvania

and an 80-acre infield where advanced testing and

and the other in neighboring Ohio — establishing new

training environment and a future academic research

facilities to conduct real-life, real-time, real-impact

and technology testing laboratory will be placed. As

research on making vehicles and the roadways on which

proposed, PennSTART can test more than 75 percent of

they travel better equipped to protect motorists.

U.S. DOT-related vehicle technology applications.

The first has been dubbed "PennSTART," a planned

"The PTC completed the initial feasibility study, and now

high-speed test track and transportation facility for

PennDOT is leading Phase 2, systems engineering," said

research, testing and training designed to accelerate

Mark Kopko, manager of advanced vehicle technology at

innovation in safety testing and training for traffic

PennDOT. "Michael Baker was responsible for preparing

incident management, work zones, railways and aircraft;

the initial feasibility study and is currently involved with

connected and autonomous vehicle testing; and tolling

the systems engineering consultant team developing

and intelligent transportation systems technology testing.

the concept of operations, conducting the requirements

A unique collaboration between the Pennsylvania

gathering and developing a business plan.

Turnpike Commission (PTC), Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Pennsylvania State University, the nearly $24 million project has been funded

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"This is a complex project where almost everything is on a critical path. So coordination and project management are essential to ensure the facility is fully operational by

I N N O VAT I O N & T E C H N O L O G Y |

I M PA C T

"The Pennsylvania Transportation Advisory Committee’s 2013 study of traffic incident management (TIM) called for a statewide approach to standardize TIM training, education and research," Truax said. "This study served as the foundation for the PennSTART concept that was further explored through the PTC’s July 2018 feasibility study and ultimately to the current PennDOT, PTC and Penn State’s systems engineering effort."

Phase 1 includes designing and building the track, Phase 2 covers the infield administrative and laboratory buildings, and Phase 3 will see construction of the aviation on-ground emergency response simulator.

"I find the unique partnership of Penn State, PTC and PennDOT tremendous," said Eric Donnell, director of the Larson Transportation Institute at Penn State, who is working with Michael Baker on the feasibility study, concept design and preliminary engineering of the project. "The closed-loop environment will be safer for this than a live road environment. Various roadway types — including roundabouts, railroad crossings, ramps, intersections, more than just the oval track — can be used. We can test in conditions across all four seasons and in a rural environment."

2021," Kopko noted. "This controlled environment will be valuable to test a number of applications before they go live outside in actual situations. There’s a variety of different things we’re going to be doing, including hands-on traffic incident management training, aviation disaster recovery, connected intersection configurations, gauging new work zone safety measures, testing highspeed ITS applications and more."

PennSTART stemmed from a traffic management incident analysis by the PTC, which led to the need for more research in high-speed tolling and connected vehicles, explained Troy Truax, AICP, who is managing the PennSTART project for Michael Baker. He added that connected vehicles can "talk" to other vehicles or information transponders stationed along roadways to measure speed and braking, warn of lane departures and provide other key safety-related information to vehicles and their drivers.

"All of the partners have very regular interactions with Michael Baker, and we are thoroughly enjoying it. They are not only a very professional, knowledgeable and team-oriented company, their level of enthusiasm is exciting."

Eric Donnell | Director of the Larson Transportation Institute at Penn State

We Make a Difference

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I M PA C T | I N N O VAT I O N & T E C H N O L O G Y

"All of the partners have very regular interactions with

P.E., PTOE, associate vice president at Michael Baker

Michael Baker, and we are thoroughly enjoying it,"

and project manager for the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor

Donnell said. "They are not only a very professional,

project. "Driver distraction and driver error remained

knowledgeable and team-oriented company, their level

an issue. So while waiting for driverless cars to reach

of enthusiasm is exciting."

the market, vehicles that can talk to each other and

Just over the state line into Ohio, the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor can be found. Michael Baker plays a prominent role as coordinator and adviser on the 33 Smart Mobility

to the infrastructure itself can help meet that need for now. That’s a major part of what the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor project will be accomplishing.

Corridor project as well, providing program management

"What makes 33 different is its size and geography,"

and technical oversight for the implementation of

Duguid continued. "The project also is outfitting vehicles

connected vehicle technologies along a 35-mile section

for this connected technology. Michael Baker will oversee

of U.S. Route 33 between and within the City of Dublin

installation of connected technology into vehicles. We

and the City of Marysville near Columbus, Ohio. The

are working to have the infrastructure for connected

firm will lead the program to install connected vehicle

vehicles in place in 2019, with full deployment in 2020."

roadside devices and smart traffic signals, equip up to 1,200 vehicles with connected vehicle technology and develop a network to manage the data and overall system.

More than 50,000 vehicles travel daily on the corridor’s mix of local, arterial and collector streets, and multilane divided highway ramps, providing fertile research opportunities to create real-world testing conditions for connected vehicle technologies.

With multiple Ohio local government players, including Dublin, Marysville and Union County, which have all formed a council of governments that holds the grant providing funding for the project, communication and cooperation remain critical.

"These are groups that usually compete for grant money, but that are now cooperating under a single grant," said Matt Smith, P.E., associate vice president and national connected and automated vehicle program

"Researchers had discovered that while vehicles and

manager from Michael Baker. "Plus, you have the Ohio

roads may be safer overall, the number of crashes are

Department of Transportation, DriveOhio, universities

not continuing to decrease," explained Lori Duguid,

and private industry to promote advanced mobility technologies. As we work to coordinate efforts among all of these interested parties, we are building a model for others to follow.

"Connected vehicle technology is still relatively new to the transportation world, and totally unique in Ohio," said Smith. "This technology has the ability to tap into more areas like traffic signals, roadway design and public involvement — a big piece of communicating and explaining why it’s important and how it can work to make traveling safer and more efficient."

“The Michael Baker team has all our bases covered to ensure we successfully deploy the infrastructure and comply with the terms of the federal U.S. DOT grant,” said Megan O’Callaghan, P.E., public works director

Penn State University was designated as an Automated Vehicle Proving Ground by the U.S. Department of Transportation – one of 10 such sites across the country.

in Dublin, Ohio. “They have experience in delivering projects with Federal Highway Administration and DOT oversight and working with local governments, and they understand the different perspectives at the table.

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I N N O VAT I O N & T E C H N O L O G Y |

I M PA C T

“From a technical standpoint, the team has the

better with an operational system. The hard part for now

knowledge and experience to ensure our connected

is staying out front, staying focused on our goals.

vehicle environment will be on the cutting edge,” O’Callaghan continued. “They understand the importance of the connected vehicle deployment to the region and are leveraging knowledge gained from other test cases around the country to benefit our schedule.”

Eric Phillips, executive director of the Union County Community

Improvement

Corporation,

shared

O’Callaghan’s sentiment.

“How aspirational can we be?” Phillips asks. “We are hoping to improve human experience in mobility and safety, reduce congestion, improve employment access since workforce development is a such a top issue here, and expand inter-vehicle connectivity and autonomy.

“In short, we want to be a leader in this, a testbed,” he said. “There’s Silicon Valley, there’s the Research Triangle, and we want to be known as the logistics mobility hub,

"Michael Baker definitely has the experience and

creating options for the world to benefit from. This

wherewithal to bring us together as a group," said

project is attracting companies here, too. Some 70

Phillips. "They are our partner to bring this to reality,

automobile-sector companies are based in this region.

currently working on the pilot. Next year, we move to

They’re interested in the logistics and innovation research

more practical steps. We can’t wait — life will be a lot

being done, this disruptive technology, this playground we’re creating.”

Michael Baker will oversee installation of connected technology into vehicles for the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor project.

We Make a Difference

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L E A D I N G C H A N G E | I N N O VAT I O N & T E C H N O L O G Y

T E C H N O LO GY AT W O R K

A QUICKER, S A F E R WAY TO BUILD BRIDGES – A S E A SY A S A B C Written by: Scott Roux, P.E., S.E., Michael Baker National Bridge Practice Lead Mike Arens, P.E., S.E., Michael Baker Office Executive, Salt Lake City

America runs on bridges — more than 600,000 of them.

ABC is an ever-more-popular approach that allows for

These spans aid the country’s commerce while facilitating

faster bridge construction, which reduces the need for

the personal mobility so prized by our society. Yet the

bridge and road closings and helps limit work zone

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) reports that

injuries. Among the tools and technologies in the ABC

in 2016, more than 9 percent of those bridges were

suite are:

structurally deficient, with Americans making 188 million trips across such inadequate spans each day.

• Use of prefabricated components. These include bridge deck panels, abutment caps and substructure

That alarming statistic underscores the priority of bridge

columns and foundations. Traditionally, these

repair and replacement, upgrades that often come with

components are built in-place, a time-consuming

their own perils, including many months of road closings

process that extends bridge and road impacts and

and detours during construction or rehabilitation as well

closures. With ABC, many of these components are

as hazards for construction crews and the traveling public

fabricated off-site — in precast shops, for example

in work zones. The latter is significant, as the Federal

— then shipped to the construction site, installation-

Highway Administration (FHWA) tells us that in 2015

ready. This not only shaves time from construction,

alone, 96,626 crashes occurred in work zones, up 7.8

but it also allows for better fabrication, as the process

percent from the previous year. On average, 12 work

can be more precise in the controlled environment of

zone crashes resulting in at least one fatality occurred

a shop not subject to the ravages of weather.

every week in 2015.

• Off-site superstructure construction. If a new

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were a way to speed

superstructure is built directly on the site of

up bridge construction and repair/replacement to

the existing bridge, motorists cannot use that

minimize delays and detours for motorists and reduce

bridge until the superstructure is completed.

the incidence of work zone injuries? Good news: there

Using ABC, the superstructure is constructed

is. It’s called Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC).

off-line on temporary supports while existing bridge

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substructure

may

be

widened,

The removal and replacement process of the I-215/4500 South Bridge in Salt Lake City limited lane closure impacts for only 53 hours using an ABC technique.

reinforced or repaired, or a new substructure built under the existing superstructure. Once the new superstructure and substructures are completed, the existing bridge is demolished or repurposed and the new superstructure set in place.

• Innovative technologies to move superstructures.

I-215/4500 SOUTH BRIDGE, SALT LAKE CITY Prior to this $7 million, 2007 project for the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), ABC had been focused primarily on prefabricated components. For this challenge of a bridge replacement over a busy interstate

In this fascinating aspect of ABC, new superstructures

highway, a span that carries an estimated 15,000 vehicles

can be slid, launched or propelled onto existing

daily, Michael Baker rolled out a full-fledged ABC design.

superstructures, a technological marvel that, in some cases, can be accomplished literally overnight.

For the 172-foot bridge, we designed replacement abutments built on cast-in-place footing foundations

Other elements of ABC may include fast-tracking of

as well as full-height, cast-in-place wing walls. While

environmental clearances and other permitting and

the abutments were under construction beneath the

early informational meetings with stakeholders and

existing bridge, traffic flow on the existing bridge and

the community.

I-215 was fully maintained.

Michael Baker International has developed a considerable

The replacement superstructure was built less than

body of experience in ABC, a leadership position that

200 yards away on temporary supports. The new

has allowed the company to advance its state-of-the-art

superstructure was moved into place with a machine,

expertise throughout the engineering and construction

adapted for ABC purposes, called a self-propelled

industries. While we typically head up the design phase

modular transporter (SPMT), a platform vehicle with

of ABC builds, we also work closely with contractors and

a large array of wheels and a grid of hydraulically

have been engaged to provide ABC project oversight

connected axles.

by departments of transportation in Alabama, Iowa, Kentucky, New York, Oklahoma, Utah and Wisconsin.

We were the primary author of FHWA’s slide-in bridge construction (SIBC) guide, and we wrote the ABC section for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation

The removal/replacement process limited lane closure impacts to I-215 to only 53 hours while all-lane access for traffic across the bridge itself resumed after only 10 days. Had the bridge been replaced conventionally, the

Bridge Manual.

traveling public would have faced a projected eight

Michael Baker’s key ABC projects have increased safety

neck-down delays on I-215. The Accelerated Bridge

and reduced inconvenience for the traveling public.

Construction University Transportation Center at Florida

months of traffic restrictions on the bridge as well as

International University estimates that bridge users saved $4 million thanks to ABC.

We Make a Difference

/ 25

Self-propelled modular transporters (SPMT), adapted for ABC purposes, can move structures that weigh several million pounds.

MILTON-MADISON BRIDGE, KENTUCKY-INDIANA

the renovated piers. While the price tag for the project

Opened in 1929, this 3,184-foot multi-span steel truss

enormous savings in time and convenience over the

bridge carries approximately 10,000 vehicles each day on US 421 across the Ohio River between Milton, Ky., and

was an estimated $103.7 million, the two states needed the ferry service for only 15 days, which represents an original projection.

Madison, Ind. The Indiana Department of Transportation

At the time, Milton-Madison was the longest bridge

(INDOT) and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC)

slide in North America, and it earned considerable

decided to replace the aging superstructure but were

recognition, including the 2014 Best Project-Lateral

concerned that the bridge would be out of service for up

Slide Category Award from the National Accelerated

to a year, with ferry service the only feasible alternative

Bridge Construction Conference and the 2015 Grand

transport mode.

Project Award from the American Council of Engineering

The project team's ABC design concept required that new piers be built on temporary bents adjacent to the existing span. While US 421 traffic continued to flow, the existing piers were widened and rehabilitated. Traffic

Companies of Indiana.

I-15/LAYTON PARKWAY BRIDGE, LAYTON, UT

was diverted to the temporary bents while the old truss

This 2010 UDOT initiative involved building a new bridge

superstructure was demolished and the new steel-truss

over I-15; there was no existing span. UDOT envisioned a

superstructure built alongside.

217-foot, steel-girder bridge, and a construction process that would minimize traffic disruptions along I-15.

Then, using another ABC technique known as lateral slide, the new superstructure was moved into place atop

Michael Baker designed yet another ABC technique — a bridge launch, which is something like a longitudinal slide

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rather than a lateral slide — to address this challenge and

completed a total of 10 SPMT bridge moves – a rare

place the bridge over the interstate.

accomplishment. We provided all design services for

After half of the bridge was launched over southbound I-15 and the other half over the northbound freeway, the halves were connected, and concrete was placed in a closure pour to join them together. UDOT had estimated

three of these moves and construction engineering and DOT oversight for the additional seven. With more than 15 lateral bridge slides completed, Michael Baker is one of the leaders in providing this innovative service.

that conventional methodology would result in eight

FHWA gave reluctant adopters a nudge by staging

months of I-15 traffic disruptions. ABC reduced that

"showcase" projects, such as the 1-215/4500 South

period, almost unbelievably, to two nights.

Bridge initiative. There, observers from more than 30

ADVANCING ABC SPMTs. Lateral slides. Bridge launchings. It all sounds

DOTs attended a presentation by Michael Baker, and other consultants and contractors were on hand to observe the SPMT bridge placement.

like jargon from a futuristic society years beyond ours.

Just as importantly, the creation of FIU’s ABC Center

Indeed, for a time, many in the construction and

has provided a respected institute for the study,

engineering industries regarded ABC as futuristic and

dissemination and improvement of techniques, helping

not a valuable approach here and now.

to ensure that development of the discipline proceeds in

But as Michael Baker and others advanced the

a well-researched, well-documented manner.

technology, that attitude has changed so significantly

Thus, it has become quite apparent that if you are

that ABC-driven developments today are common, if

looking for ways to reduce timetables and improve safety

not downright widespread. To date, our Company has

in bridge construction, the answer is as easy as ABC.

We Make a Difference

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MICHAEL BAKER’S I N N O VAT I V E S E RV I C E S WIN BIG 28 /

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I N N O VAT I O N & T E C H N O L O G Y |

ACROSS THE CONTINUUM

More than 1 million people in parts of Brooklyn, Queens

The team has been recognized for several awards for

and Manhattan rely on the Newtown Creek Wastewater

completing the upgrades on time and under budget,

Treatment Plant, the largest of New York City’s 14

most recently the National Construction Management

wastewater treatment facilities, to provide them with

Association of America (CMAA) 2018 Project of the Year

clean water.

award as well as the Project Achievement Award in the

Michael Baker International was part of a joint venture team to increase the efficiency and processing capacity

category Water/Wastewater: Construction Value Greater Than $50 Million.

of the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant while

"Michael Baker has performed construction management

adhering to federal regulations. The upgrade increased

and design services for New York City for over 30

the plant’s wet weather processing capacity from 310 to

years, including work on the North River, Coney Island

720 million gallons per day. Additional social, economic

and Hunts Point wastewater treatment plants," said

and environmental value to the community included

Iris Giboyeaux, C.C.M., AIA, ENV SP, project manager

new technology that significantly reduces hydrogen

in Michael Baker's New York office. "This was one of the

sulfide emissions and consequently odor and air

largest construction management projects ever released

pollution, an expanded playground and waterfront

by this client, and we are honored to receive both of

development resulting from the decommissioned East

these national awards."

River loading dock, and the successful implementation of a biogas program that is expected to heat nearly 5,200 homes and reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by more than 90,000 metric tons by processing organic food waste from local schools.

Michael Baker’s innovative work on the Newtown Creek Wastewater project also was awarded Project of the Year by its local NY/NJ CMAA Chapter, ENR NY/NJ Best Of Best Project of the Year, Diamond Award by the New York Chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) as well as an Engineering Excellence Honor Award by ACEC National.

The Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment plant is the largest of New York City's 14 wastewater treatment facilities.

We Make a Difference

/ 29

COLLEAGUES CONNECTING COMMUNITIES Ten Michael Baker employees traveled to Bolivia to Make A Difference

The team at Michael Baker International is committed

cable strands, bending rebar, painting the fence

to leveraging its people and its resources to Making a

and more," explained Jennifer Lewis, P.E., regional

Difference — not only in its local communities, but across

director of Michael Baker’s Southeast region and the

the world. That’s why the firm partners with Bridges to

AC R O S S T H E CONTINUUM

project's sponsor.

This year, Michael Baker sponsored the construction of

design, the diverse team spanning cultural and

a suspension footbridge in Kayarani, Bolivia. Ten of the

geographic divides worked together to prep the

firm’s team members from across the country traveled

jobsite, move thousands of rocks, trip the towers, set

to Bolivia to aid in the construction of a 128-foot-long

the main cables supporting the bridge and install the

bridge to dramatically improve mobility and access for

decking and fencing.

Prosperity (B2P), a nonprofit organization dedicated to constructing footbridges in remote, underdeveloped areas of the world to provide communities with access to vital health, education and economic sources.

more than 200 residents of the local community. The bridge is a vital link, providing residents with safe, yearround access to health care, education and economic opportunity that become inaccessible during the dangerous rainy season.

For two weeks, the team worked alongside B2P’s in-country staff and local community members to build the bridge. Working from a contextsensitive, cost-effective and sustainable bridge

"We were able to demonstrate what powerful minds, dedication and a diverse team can accomplish in just two weeks," said Eric Edge, P.E., CFM, ENV SP, surface water engineer and the project's construction manager. "More than providing safe pedestrian access,

"Our team worked with B2P and the locals in so

the new bridge opens a world of opportunity for

many ways, from buying food for dinner to physically

this community."

building the bridge by moving large boulders, pulling

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The team prepped the jobsite, moved thousands of rocks, tripped the towers, set the main cables supporting the bridge and installed the decking and fencing.

"We were able to demonstrate what powerful minds, dedication and a diverse team can accomplish in just two weeks."

Eric Edge | Engineer – Surface Water and B2P Project Construction Manager

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U S I N G T E C H N O LO GY TO D E L I V E R A V I TA L RESOURCE Like many cities, Pittsburgh is built on centuries–old infrastructure, including lead water service lines that put Pittsburgh's drinking water at risk for lead exposure, which can cause extreme health issues for families.

Michael Baker International partnered with the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) to establish a Curb Box Inspection Program to generate an inventory of lead service lines and their locations throughout the PSWA water distribution system. The firm’s survey and GIS inspection crews use the latest technology and custom applications specifically written for this project to identify where lead service lines are located and will need to be replaced. Michael Baker and PWSA will inspect more than 15,000 curb boxes in a year. Rebuilding those parts of the system is critical to PWSA's ability to meet the city's water and sewer needs.

"Michael Baker came to us with a far more robust strategy than any other consultant, optimizing the amount of service lines that we could in fact identify," said Bob Weimar, executive director of PWSA.

Michael Baker identifies Pittsburgh curb box locations.

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Field inspector reviews curb box inspection locations.

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N E W L E A D E R TO S H A R P E N C O M PA N Y ' S FOCUS ON GROWTH His Navy service includes Commanding Officer, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic; Chief of Staff, Navy Installations Command, Washington, D.C.; Executive Officer, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Europe – Southwest Asia, culminating with three years as U.S. Navy Director – Shore Readiness, where he was responsible for all 70 Navy bases worldwide with a $9 billion annual budget, retiring with the rank of Read Admiral – Civil Engineer Corps. A Seabee Combat Warfare officer, Navy Diving officer and a Contracting Officer, Boone is a designated joint specialty officer.

David M. Boone, P.E.

Boone also provided engineer assessments for national emergent and crisis responses during Hurricane Mitch

In a move to further sharpen its focus on growth, Michael

and the Gulf War. From 2001 to 2003, he served as

Baker International created the role of Chief Growth

director of facilities at the White House.

Officer. David M. Boone, P.E., is serving in this position, executing the firm’s growth plan to build business across the National Practices. He will also oversee the firm’s Federal Markets teams to build business with government clients and oversee the Proposal Development Center, which anchors the Company’s

Boone is a graduate of the Naval War College, the Armed Forces Staff College, the Tuck Executive Program at Dartmouth University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Seminar XXI and the Department of Defense’s Executive Leadership Development Program.

business development initiatives.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from

"I am proud to join Michael Baker, a firm at the forefront

Calif., and a Master of Science degree in construction

of addressing the nation’s most pressing infrastructure

management and a Master of Engineering degree in

challenges," said Boone. "There are countless

coastal engineering from the University of California,

opportunities to leverage the Company’s talent and

Berkeley. He is a registered professional engineer

successful portfolio with clients. I look forward to working

in Florida and Virginia, as well as a member of the

with the many talented team members to drive results

Acquisition Professional community.

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo,

for our clients and growth for the firm."

Boone brings a distinguished career spanning more than 35 years, including significant experience in government and military leadership positions. Most recently, Boone served as president of the Government Strategic Business Unit of APTIM, a firm specializing in disaster response, environmental remediation and engineering and construction, and base operating services.

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D F W P R O J E CT RECOGNIZED WITH DATA C O L L E C T I O N AWA R D During its winter meeting, MAPPS, the national

inspections that uses laser-line projectors, high-speed

association of firms in the surveying, spatial data and

cameras and advanced optics; and PCI visual inspections

geographic information systems field, recognized

of two 13,401-foot-long runways, 17C/35C and 17R/35L.

Michael Baker International’s Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) Asset Data Collection project as the Surveying and Field Data Collection and Overall Project Award Winner.

A second contract extension involved expanding the scope of PCI, Mobile LiDAR and LCMS to the entire airfield to include the majority of the taxiways, high-speed exits and the hold pads. This extension also included a

DFW is the second largest U.S. airport by land mass and

subsurface condition investigation that was conducted

the third busiest in the world. With more than 3 million

on runway 17C/35C, utilizing ground-penetrating radar

unique visitors each month and approximately 1,850

(GPR), a nondestructive imaging method that uses radar

flights daily, there is very little downtime to perform

pulses to image below the pavement surface, and soil

data collection around the bustling terminals and active

testing of the runway subgrade.

runway surfaces.

Michael Baker’s innovative one-vehicle solution collected

The request Michael Baker received included condition

data along all roadways comprising DFW’s landside area,

assessment of the Central Terminal Area roadway network

and 95 percent of all airfield surfaces, including runways,

on five terminals and 120 lane miles of roadway, using

taxiways, airfield roads and aprons, sometimes requiring

Mobile LiDAR (read more about Michael Baker’s Mobile

around-the-clock collection and multiple crews to

LiDAR solutions on page 6) to collect survey-quality

maintain schedule without impacting airfield operations.

data quickly and accurately; Laser Crack Measurement

In total, the team collected data on more than 1,300

Systems (LCMS), a single-pass, 3D sensor for pavement

linear miles on DFW grounds.

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TE N U R E D LEAD ER P R O MOTED TO C H IEF FI N A N C I A L OFFIC ER Ted Williams, who has served Michael Baker for 24 years, has assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer.

In this role, he will oversee all financial operations of the Company.

Williams joined Michael Baker as financial manager and later spent six years as the director of government accounting before serving as controller. Most recently, he held the position of director of engineering operations finance, in which he was responsible for ensuring a strong alignment between Operations and Finance. He worked closely with the firm’s Regional Directors and Office Executives to improve overall financial stewardship while overseeing operational planning and analysis as well as project accounting.

Williams has always been viewed as a trusted adviser to the Company’s Executive Leadership Team as well as all of Operations, earning a reputation for being a strategic problem solver who offers business insights that drive

"I am honored to assume the role of Chief Financial Officer for Michael Baker, a Company I am proud to have grown my career," said Williams. "I look forward to working closely with the rest of the Executive Leadership Team to ensure continued success."

accountability and performance.

Ted Williams | Chief Financial Officer

Ted Williams

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OUR COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE

OUR COMMITMENT TO

EXCELLENCE To Our Clients…

We believe in building strong, long-term relationships that put your needs and aspirations first. We will move mountains to leverage our full continuum of expertise, experience and innovation – with respect and integrity – to help you solve your most complex problems. We will serve as your change agents and trusted advisers, guiding you and your communities through transformational change.

We deliver performance.

To Our Employees…

We cultivate a culture of excellence that fosters collaboration, career development, diversity, creativity, differentiating innovation and an impassioned entrepreneurial spirit. We will invest in your education and training. We will seek opportunities for you to develop your careers. We will reward innovation, teamwork and leadership.

We deliver careers.

To the Communities We Serve…

We care deeply about the communities we serve. We will give you our best as we deliver improved quality of life, peace of mind and a more prosperous future. We also are dedicated to giving back around the world with our time, talents and financial support to lift up those in need. You represent our families, neighbors and friends.

We deliver a helping hand.

We Make a Difference

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We Make a Difference

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We Make a Difference

MICHAEL BAKER INTERNATIONAL

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500 Grant Street | Suite 5400 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 MBAKERINTL.COM

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