Roads & Infrastructure June 2022

ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA

CREATING THE ‘SHHH’ WITH RECYCLING Recycled materials are being put to the test as part of a new sustainability project STRIVING FOR SUSTAINABILITY Industry leaders on the challenges facing recycled material use in roads and pavements

JUNE 2022

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JUNE 2022

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JUNE 2022 CONTENTS

COVER STORY

16 Compact and flexible The new BG series modular asphalt batch plants from Astec deliver sound performance in a compact and easy to set-up design.

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

21 Creating the ‘Shhh’ with recycling Tyre Stewardship Australia and the University of New South Wales are using recycled materials to make concrete noise barriers.

25 Understanding sustainability Tips from Teletrac Navman on implementing and achieving sustainable practices.

28 Raising the game for circular economy Rachel Fowler, Beca’s General Manager of Transport and Infrastructure, on the state of circularity in the industry.

ROADS REVIEW

30 We asked industry decision-makers, ‘What are the challenges for greater use of recycled materials in roads and pavements?’

DIVERSITY

32 Steering towards diversity A Trainee Driver Program is upskilling women to become full time, licenced truck drivers.

TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT

34 The importance of digital collaboration How Revizto is increasing the efficiency of design and engineering for Arcadis.

36 The 6X: VEGA’s simple radar formula VEGA has ushered in a new era of level sensors with the introduction of VEGAPULS 6X.

SAFETY IN FOCUS 48 Safety’s back in fashion with Shamir Eyres’ 150 Bercy glasses give users a fashionable optic, with excellent safety properties.

INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT 50 Citywide keeping Melbourne world-class How Citywide Service Solutions is using AI technology to help reinvigorate Melbourne, post COVID. 52 Shaping the future of movement

39 Intelligent operation with Komatsu Mayday Rental has added an intelligent Machine Control equipped Komatsu bulldozer to its fleet.

The Australian Road Research Board’s role and

42 Dynapac Gen VI: The ‘cross-over’ rollers A look at Dynapac CEA’s new generation of double drum vibratory rollers.

AFPA

45 Growing Austek Roads How Wirtgen equipment accelerated the emergence of Austek Roads.

future agenda for guiding the multi-modal transport sector.

54 AfPA’s sustainable structure The Australian Flexible Pavement Association has developed a new sustainability framework for the industry.

57 AfPA Member Profile Sam Vasiliadis, General Manager Metro Asphalt, shares insights from his experience in the pavement industry.

NATIONAL PRECAST 58 Lessons from a master precaster Civilsmart CEO Drew Spiden talks to Roads & Infrastructure about his company’s journey in the precasting industry.

CONTRACTS & TENDERS 60 A summary of the contracts awarded for major infrastructure projects across the nation.

REGULARS 4 Editor’s note James French, Solutions Specialist at Teletrac Navman says the decisions businesses make today will have a positive effect on the future of sustainability.

6 News 14 People on the move roadsonline.com.au

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PUBLISHER Christine Clancy christine.clancy@primecreative.com.au GROUP MANAGING EDITOR Sarah Baker sarah.baker@primecreative.com.au MANAGING EDITOR Mike Wheeler mike.wheeler@primecreative.com.au

SUSTAINABILITY: PROGRESS WITH PURPOSE SUSTAINABILITY REMAINS AN IMPORTANT TOPIC of discussion for the roads and infrastructure industry. Companies across the sector are continuing to improve their own sustainable practices, thanks to advancements in technology, as well as the formation of emission reduction objectives.

It is impressive to see sustainable innovations being embraced, as Australia and the world pushes towards achieving net zero by 2050.

In this edition of Roads & Infrastructure, we look to highlight this innovation to celebrate the progress made, while also helping to move the industry forward.

Construction projects are continuing to push the envelope, with more ventures investigating the use of recycled materials. Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA), along with the University of New South Wales (UNSW), is testing the use of recycled glass and tyres to construct highway noise barriers. Leading the charge is UNSW’s researcher Dr Ailar Hajimohammadi, who says the project will help to develop viable markets for recyclable waste materials.

James French, Solutions Specialist at Teletrac Navman, says that sound governance is key to achieving sustainability. As French explains, sustainable projects provide benefits to business, local communities and the environment. He adds that these benefits will not only be felt in the short term, but also for generations to come.

Also in this edition, we talk to Austek Roads, who is developing a sustainable fuel alternative for use in asphalt production. This process is removing tyres from landfill, while also providing costbenefits. With support from the Wirtgen Group, the company is aiming to expand the use of its fuel alternative, providing the industry with a sustainable substitute to conventional diesel for asphalt plants.

For this month’s cover story, we sat down with Astec to learn more about its new BG series modular asphalt batch plants. Jorge Boil, Astec Australia’s Business Line Manager – Infrastructure, says the new series accommodates a variety of mix designs, including the use of reclaimed asphalt pavement.

Sustainable construction material producer, Alex Fraser, is bucking the trend in what is a maledominated industry, with the establishment of a trainee driving program designed for women so can have a career in the truck driving industry. Jeff Burns, Hanson Australia’s Regional Human Resources Manager, says the program is one of the most rewarding initiatives he has been involved with during his time at the company.

Finally, to encourage the acceleration of environmentally friendly practices, the Australian Flexible Pavement Association (AfPA) has developed its Sustainability Framework for Asphalt. AfPA Director for Victoria and Tasmania Norbert Michel tells us about how the framework will reveal the industry’s progress nationally, while also indicating where there’s work to be done.

Happy reading!

Mike Wheeler Roads & Infrastructure Magazine

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ROADS JUNE 2022

JOURNALIST Tom O’Keane tom.okeane@primecreative.com.au DESIGN PRODUCTION MANAGER Michelle Weston michelle.weston@primecreative.com.au ART DIRECTOR Blake Storey DESIGN Bea Barthelson BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Brad Marshall brad.marshall@primecreative.com.au CLIENT SUCCESS MANAGER Justine Nardone justine.nardone@primecreative.com.au HEAD OFFICE Prime Creative Pty Ltd 11-15 Buckhurst Street South Melbourne VIC 3205 Australia p: +61 3 9690 8766 f: +61 3 9682 0044 enquiries@primecreative.com.au www.roadsonline.com.au SUBSCRIPTIONS +61 3 9690 8766 subscriptions@primecreative.com.au Roads & Infrastructure Australia is available by subscription from the publisher. The rights of refusal are reserved by the publisher.

ARTICLES All articles submitted for publication become the property of the publisher. The Editor reserves the right to adjust any article to conform with the magazine format.

COPYRIGHT

Roads & Infrastructure Australia is owned and published by Prime Creative Media. All material in Roads & Infrastructure Australia is copyright and no part may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic or mechanical including information and retrieval systems) without the written permission of the publisher. The Editor welcomes contributions but reserves the right to accept or reject any material. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information, Prime Creative Media will not accept responsibility for errors or omissions or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published. The opinions expressed in Roads & Infrastructure Australia are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by the publisher unless otherwise stated.

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NEWS

PREFERRED ROUTE SELECTED FOR AUSTRALIA’S LONGEST ROAD TUNNEL The tunnel will be part of the $8 billion Great Western Highway upgrade.

The New South Wales Government has selected the 11-kilometre toll-free tunnel from Blackheath to Little Hartley as the preferred route for the Blue Mountains tunnel, following a feasibility analysis and investigation process.

The tunnel will form a central component of the Great Western Highway upgrade between Katoomba and Lithgow. Together the Federal and NSW governments are

investing $2.5 billion towards upgrading the Great Western Highway between Katoomba and Blackheath, and between Little Hartley and Lithgow, respectively.

The Great Western Highway Upgrade will reduce congestion, deliver safer, more efficient and reliable journeys for those travelling in, around and through the Blue Mountains, and better connect communities in the Central West.

The tunnel project will aim to help improve the economic development, productivity and accessibility in and through the Blue Mountains, Central West and Orana regions.

The proposed central tunnel would be Australia’s longest road tunnel.

The Blackheath to Little Hartley tunnel design features dual carriageways for both eastbound and westbound motorists in separate twin tunnels and a gentler gradient to cut travel times and improve freight efficiencies.

Once the full upgrade to the Great Western Highway is complete, it is predicted to save motorists up to 30 minutes between Katoomba and Lithgow during busy periods.

The Environmental Impact Assessment for the Blackheath to Little Hartley tunnel will go on exhibition later this year.

Construction on the tunnel is slated to start in 2024.

CIMIC’S CPB, GEORGIOU JOINT VENTURE SELECTED FOR $490M M12 PACKAGE A joint venture between CIMIC Group company CPB Contractors and Georgiou Group has been selected by the New South Wales Government to deliver the western section of the M12 Motorway.

The M12 Motorway will provide direct access to the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport and connect the airport to Sydney’s motorway network.

The 50:50 joint venture will see the delivery of a 6.1-kilometre dual carriageway motorway between The Northern Road, Luddenham and 400-metres east of Badgerys Creek, along with construction of 11 bridges and a gradeseparated interchange connected with the Western Sydney Airport.

The motorway will provide increased road capacity and reduce congestion and travel times in the future. It will also improve the movement of freight in and through Western Sydney.

The M12 Motorway project will complement upgrades to local roads and 6

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a new Sydney Metro, Western Sydney Airport Link, providing improved access to cater for future growth that is happening in Western Sydney.

The M12 project forms part of the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan, which is a joint initiative of the Australian and NSW governments to fund a $4.4 billion road and

transport program for Western Sydney.

The eastern section will provide a connection to Elizabeth Drive and the M7 Motorway. Procurement of this section will occur this year.

Work on the western package will commence this year and is scheduled to be completed in late 2025.

The M12 package is expected to be completed before the Western Sydney International Airport opens in 2026.

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NEWS

WA’S REGIONAL RAIL FREIGHT NETWORK TO RECEIVE $200M BOOST Grain growers and other primary producers in regional Western Australia are set to benefit from a $200 million funding package from the State and Federal governments to upgrade the freight rail network.

The funding is the first package under the state’s Agricultural Supply Chain Improvement (ASCI) program and includes four projects to help grain growers and other primary producers transport their product to domestic and international markets.

The projects have been identified in close consultation with grain growers’ cooperative CBH, rail network manager Arc Infrastructure, grower groups and local government.

This includes a $22 million commitment for four rail siding extensions for CBH grain bins at Moora, Brookton, Cranbrook, and Broomehill, complementing significant CBH investment in rail-loading facilities.

The funded projects are expected to be completed in 2025.

These works are now underway.

Another $46 million has been earmarked for seven additional grain rail siding upgrades at Avon, Kellerberrin, Dowerin, Konnongorring, Ballidu, Mingenew, and Perenjori North, which will help CBH load longer trains much more quickly.

A further $60 million will be spent for upgrading the Midland Line Main Line from 16 Tonne Axle Loading (TAL) to 19 TAL between Carnamah and Mingenew, allowing heavier trains and a 20 per cent increase in train loads. With around

400,000 tonnes of grain per year being carried on this section, the upgrade will provide operational improvements and freight cost savings for all grain growers delivering to bins on selected line sections.

The remaining $72 million will go towards the progressive recommissioning of the Narrogin-Kulin rail line and associated works for the Southern Wheatbelt region to service grain and other potential customers in the Narrogin-Wickepin area.

The Narrogin-Kulin line was closed in 2013. The first stage of this project will be a study to assess the most useful way to make this investment for the benefit of all potential freight users and the community.

This year, regional Western Australia recorded a 24 million tonne harvest, worth around $8 billion to WA’s economy.

Securing the funding means the planning and design phase can now commence, with completion of the projects expected in 2025.

MELBOURNE’S GLENROY STATION NOW OPEN The Glenroy Station is now open in Melbourne as part of the Victorian Government’s Level Crossing Removal Project, with trains now running through a new 1.2-kilometre rail trench.

The rail line is now lowered under the road, and the ground-level station features two lifts as well as stair access to each platform, a waiting room with city views, undercover seating areas and improved lighting.

Along with the new station, a bus interchange has opened adjacent to the station entrance on Hartington Street in Glenroy. Commuters will no longer need to walk to Blenheim Street for connecting buses, with the new interchange creating easier and safer access to and from Glenroy Station.

Finishing works will continue over the coming months, including landscaping around the station precinct and the completion of the western station 8

ROADS JUNE 2022

The new station will provide more accessible services for residents in Melbourne’s north.

entrance from Dowd Place.

When the station concourse and building are completed later this year, the project will connect two sides of Glenroy currently separated by the rail line.

Removing the Glenroy Road level crossing complements the work being done on the nearby Upfield and Mernda

lines, with four sets of boom gates gone from Coburg and Brunswick and four more to go in Preston by the end of this month.

The new Glenroy Station marks the 35th new or upgraded station delivered as part of the Level Crossing Removal Project and follows the opening of the new Hallam Station.

NEWS

NEW DEAL ANNOUNCED FOR QLD GREEN HYDROGEN The Queensland Government is supporting CS Energy with a $28.9 million investment.

CS Energy and natural gas producer Senex have agreed to form a joint venture to develop the Kogan Renewable Hydrogen Demonstration Plant near Chinchilla, in Queensland.

The deal will produce green hydrogen to fuel the latest stop on the east coast Hydrogen Superhighway, creating jobs in regional Queensland.

The Queensland Government signed a tri-state collaboration (VIC, NSW and QLD) on the renewable hydrogen refuelling network for heavy transport and logistics along Australia’s eastern seaboard in March.

The Hume Hydrogen Highway (HHH) program will support the development of hydrogen refuelling stations, starting with the Hume Highway, the Pacific Highway and the Newell Highway.

The Kogan Renewable Hydrogen Demonstration Plant is a green hydrogen production facility that will be built

next to CS Energy’s Kogan Creek Power Station. The project will include the colocation of a solar farm, battery, hydrogen electrolyser, hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen storage and out loading facility.

The aim of the project is to produce renewable hydrogen and provide energy and other grid services while gaining expertise from an operational hydrogen project from production, storage, transport and handling.

Under the joint venture agreement, CS Energy will operate and hold 75 per cent equity in the plant, while Senex Energy will hold 25 per cent equity in the plant. The plant is expected to produce approximately 50,000 kilograms of hydrogen annually.

IHI Engineering Australia (a subsidiary of IHI Corporation Japan) has been appointed to construct the plant.

Work is due to start on the site in September this year.

$175M ALBANY RING ROAD REACHES NEW MILESTONE Construction of the first grade-separated interchange in the Great Southern region is now complete, as part of the first phase of the $175 million Albany Ring Road project in Western Australia.

The interchange includes a new bridge over the Albany Highway with connecting ramps.

This project is part of the first phase of the $175 million Albany Ring Road project, which once complete, will establish an 11 kilometre, free-flowing connection between the Albany Highway and Princess Royal Drive.

It will take heavy vehicles off existing roads, reducing congestion and enhancing safety for local and tourist traffic.

The new interchange will improve traffic flow between Albany Highway and Menang Drive, before ultimately connecting with the remainder of the Albany Ring Road project to offer free flowing access from Albany Highway to Princess Royal Drive.

Construction of two further interchanges 10

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along the Albany Ring Road alignment, at the South Coast Highway and Frenchman Bay Road, commenced earlier this year.

A comprehensive revegetation and landscaping program will commence in the coming months, with 15 hectares of feature planting, basin mixes and road

reserve planting added to the area around the interchange.

The Albany Ring Road is expected to be completed in early 2024. The project is being jointly funded by the Federal Government and Western Australian State Government.

The project aims to create opportunities for local businesses and the community.

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NEWS

NEW ROAD SAFETY PROJECTS TO BE ROLLED OUT IN NSW Regional and metropolitan roads in New South Wales are set to benefit from the latest and final round of the $822 million Safer Roads Program – a partnership between Transport for NSW divisions and local councils aiming to achieve the ultimate goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on NSW roads.

Started in 2018 for a duration of five years, the program helped carry out 203 road safety infrastructure projects across NSW in 2020/2021 to the value of $258 million.

The final round will see $89 million invested into funding 24 new regional projects, as well as a number of ongoing projects in regional NSW. The Safer Roads Program consists of two initiatives – the Saving Lives on Country Roads Initiative and the Liveable and Safe Urban Communities Initiative.

Of the $822 million since 2018, $640 million has been invested into the Saving Lives on Country Roads Initiative, delivering 469

projects in regional NSW. During 2022/23, $37 million will also be invested into 20 new projects in metropolitan areas through the Liveable and Safe Urban Communities Initiative.

Projects funded under this initiative include

improved curve signage, widened shoulders, vehicle activated signage, rumble strips and flexible safety barriers.

The Safer Roads Program is delivered in partnership with local councils and is funded through the Community Road Safety Fund.

20 new projects will focus on improving road safety in metropolitan NSW.

$150M BOOST FOR VIC TRANSPORT ACCESSIBILITY The Victorian Government is set to upgrade the accessibility of train stations, bus stops, and tram stops across the state, due to a $157.8 million package of works included in the Victorian Budget 2022/23.

On the tram network, $68.1 million will deliver six new level access tram stops along La Trobe Street in the city and also upgrade the Park Street tram interchange, which

will improve tram network accessibility in the CBD and provide connections for the Metro Tunnel.

Just under $22 million from the budget will be used to upgrade five stations – Lalor, Merri, Thornbury, Victoria Park and Warrnambool – delivering a range of improvements including boarding ramps, tactile ground surface indicators, CCTV

The works form part of the 2022/23 Victorian Budget.

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and shelters.

Along the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines, $24.6 million in accessibility upgrades will enable passengers with wheelchairs, prams or other accessibility needs, unassisted boarding on the new High-Capacity Metro Trains (HCMT’s) at 14 stations. Nineteen HCMT’s are already running on the lines, with each train featuring 28 allocated spaces for wheelchairs or mobility devices.

Further facility upgrades at train stations including Woodend, Glen Waverley and Jacana will improve waiting rooms, toilets, and CCTV. Development and planning work to improve accessibility will begin at several stations including Auburn, Belgrave, East Camberwell, Canterbury, Willison, Hartwell, Moorabbin, Newport and Watsonia stations.

The Budget includes $5.5 million to develop future corridors of level access tram stops for upgrades, with $5 million in the Budget also been assigned to upgrade up to 80 bus stops across the state including seats, shelters and real time information about bus services.

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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE HELPS YOU KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST MOVEMENTS ACROSS THE ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR.

AURECON APPOINTS NEW LEADERS International design, engineering and advisory company Aurecon has appointed two new leaders for its global infrastructure advisory business. Georgia Gosse has joined as Infrastructure Advisory Principal and Queensland Regional Service Group Leader, working across all sectors.

Julian Mitton has joined as Principal in New South Wales Infrastructure Advisory, working with Aurecon’s Precincts and supporting the Defence and National Security market. Gosse joins Aurecon from ARTC and is an infrastructure sustainability and risk management consultant with 17 years’ experience working across the professional services industry. Mitton is a strategic advisor and business leader with more than 30 years’ experience, joining from the Department of Regional NSW following nine years at management consultancy Helmsman.

MCCONNEL DOWELL WELCOMES NEW GENERAL MANAGER Infrastructure construction company McConnel Dowell has announced the appointment of Larry McGrath as General Manager – New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory.

McGrath has experience in the construction industry, with a strong focus on business development and growth. He has held executive leadership, governance and strategic management roles in the private sector and government and has experience in major project delivery.

ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA CEO RETIRES Dr Bronwyn Evans has finished her time as the CEO at Engineers Australia, after announcing that she would retire in October 2021. Evans has led the organisation since 2019 and has achieved several milestones in this time. This includes successful advocacy for the compulsory registration of engineers, promoting women in STEM, and climate change initiatives – including a new flagship conference – Climate Smart Engineering, headlined by Nobel laureate and former US Vice President Al Gore. Evans has more than 35 years’ experience in various engineering roles, including CEO of Standards Australia, senior executive roles at Cochlear Ltd and GE Healthcare, as well as non-executive board experience in the construction, medical technology, and digital business sectors.

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INTRODUCING ASTEC’S BG SERIES

ASPHALT PLANTS THE NEW BG SERIES MODULAR ASPHALT BATCH PLANTS FROM ASTEC DELIVER SOUND PERFORMANCE IN A COMPACT AND EASY TO SET-UP DESIGN. ASTEC AUSTRALIA’S BUSINESS LINE MANAGER - INFRASTRUCTURE, JORGE BOIL, EXPLAINS.

A

cross the industry, Astec is well known for its range of highly versatile asphalt plants, from its compact and portable plants, such as the Astec Six Pack, Astec Vantage, Astec Voyager and Astec Ventura, to higher capacity asphalt plants, such as the M-Pack series, which achieve production rates of between 200 and 600 tonnes per hour (TPH).

Astec’s new BG series modular asphalt batch plant complements the company’s current line-up, providing customers with batch plants capable of processing 16

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120 to 240 TPH, while still being fast and economical to set-up.

Jorge Boil, Astec Australia’s Business Line Manager – Infrastructure, says the BG series plant is suitable for small- to medium-sized asphalt manufacturers, such as those in smaller cities, who may not need to relocate often but who still want to reap the benefits of a faster and more cost-effective setup.

“We call these grocery-style market plants,” he says. “For example, manufacturers might need to produce 20 tonnes of one type of asphalt mix,

50 tonnes of another mix and so on. To do that they need a batch plant that is not only versatile, but one that is able to expand as the business grows and higher production rates are required.”

Boil says that’s exactly what Astec’s new BG series modular asphalt batch plants offer. With a compact and containerised design, the plant is both economical to transport and easy to setup. More importantly, the plant can readily accommodate upgrades to higher production rates, more storage capacity and higher incorporation of reclaimed

COVER STORY

The modularity of Astec’s BG series of batch plants delivers fast set up and design flexibility for upgrades.

asphalt pavement (RAP) content.

Astec offers its BG series plants for batch size capacities ranging from 1800 kilograms (BG 1800) to 3200 kilograms (BG 3200), with multiple options in between.

The modularity of the BG series batch plant, as Boil observes, helps lower transport costs, both for initial setup, as well as for potential future relocations.

“A real advantage of this plant,” he says, “is that you can set them up on compact areas. The plant can be erected on a steel base without major civil works.

The modular design also enables fast setup without dealing with ducts or a

large number of interfaces. All the ducts and wirings come pre-assembled from the factory.”

FLEXIBLE RAP PROCESSING With the drying drum in the BG batch plant’s design sitting at the ground level, Boil says there are additional advantages in terms of ease of maintenance.

The plant also offers flexibility with the choice and design of the drying drums.

The counterflow dryer drum featuring Astec’s V-flights helps enhance heat transfer into the aggregates. The V-flights provide greater uniformity of the Short-term and longterm storage options are also available with surge bins or silos beside the plant.

“A REAL ADVANTAGE OF THIS PLANT,” HE SAYS, “IS THAT YOU CAN SET THEM UP ON COMPACT AREAS. THE PLANT CAN BE ERECTED ON A STEEL BASE WITHOUT MAJOR CIVIL WORKS. THE MODULAR DESIGN ALSO ENABLES FAST SETUP WITHOUT DEALING WITH DUCTS OR A LARGE NUMBER OF INTERFACES.”

aggregate veil through the gas stream during the drying process, across a wide variety of mix designs. Combustion flights, on the other hand, prevent aggregate from impinging on the flame while spreading the material to maximise radiant heat transfer.

For plant owners looking to incorporate higher RAP percentages, a combination solution with a double barrel drum can deliver higher rates of recycling.

That said, Boil suggests a 30 to 50 per cent RAP percentage is optimal for the size and scale of the BG series plant.

“Although the BG series plant is capable of higher RAP percentages – up to 60 per cent through design customisation – a 30 to 50 per cent RAP capacity is more than sufficient for the size and scale they will be operating on. In Australia, particularly in smaller cities, there’s often not enough RAP to run those higher numbers,” he says.

UNIFORM BITUMEN MIXING The mixing process in the BG series takes place in a synchronised double shaft mixer. This process, facilitated through specially designed tips and shanks, ensures a homogenous mix within a short time span, Boil says.

“In most batch plants, the bitumen is fed by gravity. By spraying the bitumen into the mix using spray bars, Astec has ensured more homogenous mixing and better aggregate coating. The pugmill is a twintype pugmill where all material is mixed for 45-60 seconds. This design is unique to Astec,” he says.

MODULAR STORAGE SOLUTIONS Boil says the plant is equipped with modular under mixer storage silos, however storage options can be customised to requirements.

Short-term storage can be accomplished roadsonline.com.au

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COVER STORY

Reclaimed asphalt pavement can be incorporated into a mix via the dryer drum, or through the mixer unit.

with 30-200 tonne capacity surge bins located under the mixer unit. Another option is storage bins or silos beside the plant.

“Most small plants do not need storage beyond a few hours. This can be achieved by providing short-term storage under the mixer or to the side,” says Boil. “However,

if a plant needs long-term storage – up to 72 hours – Astec’s patented storage silos are also available on request.”

Boil says the Astec Australia team works with clients to achieve the optimum design that suits their operations.

“Before the plant is ordered, we sit down with the client and find out what their

“THE BG SERIES MODULAR ASPHALT BATCH PLANT IS AN IMPORTANT ADDITION TO OUR PRODUCT RANGE. AND WITH IT, ASTEC WILL CONTINUE TO DELIVER THE LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE AND OUTSTANDING SUPPORT OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE COME TO EXPECT.”

With its modular design, the plant can be expanded as higher production rates are required.

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requirements are, the types of bitumen and the percentage of RAP they want to run through the plant. That, in turn, affects the type of drum, mixer and RAP bins they need,” says Boil.

“Then we consider the production rate the client wants to achieve to work out the size of the baghouse and the bitumen tanks. Every asphalt plant is different, and we’re able to work extremely closely with our clients to design the plant that meets their exact needs.”

Despite being in the market for less than a year, Boil says Astec’s BG series batch plants have already been successfully installed in countries including India, Malaysia and Israel. And the feedback from customers has been positive.

“Astec has a long track record when it comes to offering big city asphalt plants in the 280-300 TPH range, and we’ve also been very strong with mobile plants. The small to medium batch plant category is new for us, but the introduction of this innovative new plant means we have complete flexibility in meeting the needs of our customers,” he says.

“The BG series modular asphalt batch plant is an important addition to our product range. And with it, Astec will continue to deliver the level of performance and outstanding support our customers have come to expect.”

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ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

CREATING THE ‘SHHH’

WITH RECYCLING A PROJECT SUPPORTED BY TYRE STEWARDSHIP AUSTRALIA AND CARRIED OUT BY RESEARCHERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES IS INVESTIGATING THE USE OF RECYCLED MATERIALS TO MAKE CONCRETE NOISE BARRIERS.

A

lmost 20 per cent of the Australian population are exposed to high levels of traffic noise that are well above those recommended by the World Health Organisation. This can result in various problems such as sleep disturbance, hearing impairment, high blood pressure and cardiovascular complications. Overall, occupational noise exposure levels in Australia cost the country around $2.68 billion per annum due to impacts on health and well-being and productivity loss.

To reduce the noise level to below a safe threshold, noise barriers are often used, as acoustic walls, wall linings and acoustic fences in buildings and workplaces, and as noise walls in roads.

The most common noise barrier used is concrete because it reflects noise back to its source due to its hardened, low-porous surface. However, concrete is a poor sound absorber. Sound waves are simply reflected back to the source and beyond when they strike concrete, and they are barely reduced

in magnitude.

One of the popular solutions in Australia to enhance noise absorption is the use of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC). However, this type of porous concrete consumes more cement than traditional concrete.

Considering that cement production is responsible for about five per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions, the manufacturing process of AAC increases its carbon footprint and is not environmentally sustainable.

To help find better alternatives, Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) and its industry partners are funding a new research project at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) that aims to design and manufacture novel absorptive noise barriers using waste glass and end-of-life tyres.

UNSW researcher Dr Ailar Hajimohammadi will lead the research, along with Professor Stephen Foster and Assistant Professor Hamid Valipour from UNSW’s Centre for Infrastructure Engineering and Safety and Dr Danielle Moreau from UNSW’s Mechanical

Tyre-based noise walls would be 30 per cent lighter than the traditional reinforced concrete noise walls, UNSW researcher Dr Ailar Hajimohammadi says.

UNSW researcher Dr Ailar Hajimohammadi

and Manufacturing Engineering department.

TSA’s partner organisations Flexiroc Australia and John Holland Group will lend financial support, as well as their technical and commercial know-how to the project.

“It is essential,” says Dr Hajimohammadi, “to adopt a concrete material technology that is cost-effective, sustainable and can effectively attenuate noise.”

Lina Goodman, TSA’s CEO, says the project has broad implications for the industry.

“Tyre Stewardship Australia is happy to sponsor the research,” she says, “as it deals directly with one of the most practical challenges faced by the concrete industry in Australia and globally: that is to develop value-added construction products from problematic wastes and improving infrastructure sustainability, without compromising quality and performance.”

POTENTIAL FOR WASTE REDUCTION In 2018-19, about 1.2 million tonnes of waste glass was generated in Australia, from which only 58 per cent was recycled. The annual figure for end-of-life waste tyres is around 465,000 tonnes, of which 45 per cent is processed locally, disposed of onsite. or sent to landfill. The rest is exported.

The new export ban on Australian recyclable waste materials has imposed challenges on the waste management sector. roadsonline.com.au

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ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

The UNSW project could create potential use for 1000 tonnes of recycled tyres per year.

The export of waste glass has been banned since January 2021, and whole and baled tyres since December 2021.

Every year in Australia, the equivalent of about 56 million passenger tyres reach the end of life. Stockpiling these tyres is a significant concern and apart from its landfill costs, it could also result in major fires.

On the other hand, a growing mountain of waste glass threatens to inundate cities with landfill. The construction industry is one of the largest markets for the uptake of glass and tyre wastes, and the manufacturers of construction elements are keen to develop innovative products to expand their market and create value for their customers.

Noise attenuation in engineering infrastructure projects is mandated by government authorities, providing a significant additional motivation for infrastructure designers and constructors to incorporate recycled materials and improve the sustainability rating of their products.

“This project will fill existing knowledge gaps,” says Hajimohammadi, “and will develop sustainable and cost-effective noise barriers, in an innovative solution that promotes the development of viable markets for waste glass and end-of-life tyres.”

Hajimohammadi’s project could create potential use for the equivalent of 125,000 recycled passenger tyres per year. While recycled tyre shreds are more expensive than concrete coarse aggregates, Hajimohammadi argues that at 40 per cent 22

ROADS JUNE 2022

wall thickness above ground.”

EXPECTED OUTCOMES “This is a project with so many great direct and indirect expected outcomes,” Dr Hajimohammadi says.

As part of this project, the noise walls will go through prototyping, mechanical and durability testing, proof testing and computer modelling to validate the results.

Goodman says the research will lead to a new construction method, supported by thorough experimental and numerical analysis in the design of novel concrete noise barriers.

“Increased acoustic, mechanical, and durability performance due to the implementation of the proposed method will considerably increase

“EXPORT OF THE TECHNOLOGY TO A GLOBAL MARKET WILL PUT AUSTRALIAN PRECAST CONCRETE MANUFACTURING IN A LEADING POSITION ON INNOVATIVE APPLICATIONS FOR END-OF-LIFE TYRES AND WASTE GLASS, WHILE CREATING NEW INDUSTRY JOBS.” coarse aggregate replacement with rubber, the resulting weight reduction will reduce the overall cost of noise walls by lowering their dead weight.

“The tyre-based noise walls will be 30 per cent lighter than the traditional reinforced concrete noise walls. This means that the foundation needed for the wall will be smaller and less excavation and less concrete will be needed in their foundation. Therefore, we can potentially have up to 20 per cent saving in foundation,” she says. “Moreover, a rubber-based concrete noise wall superstructure in a retaining wall configuration can have a potential saving of up to 10 per cent in traditional concrete

the competitiveness of the Australian construction industry,” she says.

“It also provides considerable benefits to the construction industry and infrastructure asset owners by reducing costs, carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption.”

More importantly, she says the project will support the development of new products for Australian and international markets.

“Export of the technology to a global market will put Australian precast concrete manufacturing in a leading position on innovative applications for end-of-life tyres and waste glass, while creating new industry jobs.”

The project is expected to reach completion by mid-2023.

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James French, Solutions Specialist at Teletrac Navman says the decisions businesses make today will have a positive effect on the future of sustainability.

UNDERSTANDING

SUSTAINABILITY

AS JAMES FRENCH, SOLUTIONS SPECIALIST AT TELETRAC NAVMAN WRITES, ACHIEVING SUSTAINABILITY HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT, FOR BOTH INDUSTRY AND THE WIDER POPULATION.

S

ustainability continues to be a hot topic, and with the election this year, the talk of change and progress is higher than ever.

Understanding the term sustainability is the first step toward having a measurable impact. Though an all-encompassing definition hasn’t been nailed down, the United Nations defines it as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

For businesses working on roads and community infrastructure, that translates to more than just completing the project on time and within budget.

It means achieving the project goals while minimising the impact on the

environment and the local community now and for future generations. The good news is that with advancements in technology, sustainable projects are more achievable than you may think — and they benefit everyone.

IT’S ALL ABOUT BALANCE In the past, businesses have focused on the environmental aspect of sustainability while overlooking the other intertwined elements.

Being ‘green’ is good, but it only represents a single step down the sustainability path; aiming for carbonneutral operations and working toward net zero is crucial for reducing the impact not just on the environment, but

on communities and cultures.

Sustainability means businesses need to ensure the health, safety, and livelihoods of local communities are protected, and the continuity of cultural land and sites of cultural significance are protected while preserving natural ecosystems. At the end of the day, infrastructure is built to benefit the community.

So, the success and sustainability of a project rely on how well it serves the locals, how well it’s perceived and how it will be used for years to come.

Finding the balance between getting a job done efficiently and doing it sustainably — all while staying costeffective — can seem like a tricky line to walk. Demonstrating your business’s roadsonline.com.au

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ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

dedication to sustainability and sharing the knowledge and processes you’ve used to achieve sustainability goals is not only beneficial for the environment and community, it also presents a huge opportunity to win tenders and give you a competitive edge.

It doesn’t have to require a huge effort on your behalf, it just means considering and implementing the more sustainable options for the project at hand. The decisions you make today will have a positive effect on the future of sustainability.

The first step is sound governance, which is key to fostering sustainability.

Governance can create sustainable values and provide a framework for businesses to achieve goals across the four main pillars of sustainability — society, environment, culture, and economy.

The second step is embracing various technologies to achieve these goals.

TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP There have been numerous advancements and changes in the construction industry that are helping businesses decarbonise and improve environmental outcomes.

Innovations like earth-friendly concrete have been welcomed, and building with lower carbon materials like timber or using recycled content wherever possible has been encouraged. Reducing the

quantity of materials used — by using higher quality materials that last longer — is also a significant factor in improving environmental sustainability and reaching net zero targets.

However, improving the other areas of sustainability requires something more — and technology is stepping up to help.

For job sites, using telematics solutions like AI-powered vehicle and equipment management solutions streamline and automate processes and communication.

Technology minimises the risk of mistakes and reduces the time spent working on a project. With smart technology, trucks carrying waste or construction materials can be directed to use the best routes that are fit for purpose, thereby reducing noise, congestion, and pollution in the area.

The result? Improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, fewer wasted materials, and ultimately less impact on local communities, ecosystems, and the economy.

Additionally, telematics capture data that can help guide businesses to meet standards and work within sustainability frameworks. If certain areas are lacking, the technology can help identify where

these businesses can improve.

As a bonus, the data collected generates objective evidence to prove a business’s sustainability efforts, an important factor in winning and running large scale community-based projects. Businesses can then use the data as a learning tool to improve the sustainability of future projects and share this knowledge with others.

IT’S A WIN-WIN-WIN Sustainable projects are a triple win: they benefit business, local communities, and the environment.

Using the latest technology to streamline projects and improve communication can reduce the time spent on a project and minimise the social, cultural, environmental, and economic impact. Innovative solutions collect valuable data to guide sustainability efforts and offer evidence to give your business a competitive advantage.

Being sustainable isn’t about just ‘being green’, it’s a way to ensure everyone benefits from a project, not just in the short term but for generations to come.

“SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS ARE A TRIPLE WIN: THEY BENEFIT BUSINESS, LOCAL COMMUNITIES, AND THE ENVIRONMENT.”

French says governance and embracing technology are key to sustainable project delivery.

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ROADS JUNE 2022

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Engineers can influence transport options by designing pleasant walking and cycling paths, Fowler says.

RAISING THE GAME FOR A

CIRCULAR ECONOMY ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE SITS DOWN WITH RACHEL FOWLER, BECA’S GENERAL MANAGER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE, TO TALK ABOUT THE STATE OF CIRCULARITY IN THE INDUSTRY AND THE ROLE ENGINEERS, BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENTS NEED TO PLAY TO ACCELERATE CHANGE.

W

ith just under eight years left to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals as a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for humanity, time is running out for governments and industries to join forces and take action.

As a chartered civil engineer with 30 years of industry experience, Rachel Fowler, General Manager of Beca’s Transport and Infrastructure business, is conscious of her duty to drive and facilitate change – firstly within her own team of over 100 people, and more broadly, within the transport and infrastructure industry.

“The duty of engineers,” she says, “is to secure not only a quality way of life for our existing communities, but also to make sure that we are not overburdening or challenging the existence of future communities. That’s a fundamental professional value that I live 28

ROADS JUNE 2022

by, and which is also embedded in Engineers Australia’s commitment to sustainability.”

Having spent most of her engineering career managing projects and offering consultancy around the preservation of coastal environments and protecting communities from the risk of flooding and coastal erosion, she sees similarities between her current role at Beca and what she has learned through that experience.

“There’s a lot of precious natural habitat on our coastlines, and if we chose to build coastal protection infrastructure everywhere, we would most likely be damaging the natural environment that we should protect and foster for the sake of future communities,” she says. “A lot of the work that I’ve done has been on establishing a balance between helping to protect people and communities while still being mindful of our environment.”

Fowler sees a similar “balancing act” within the transport and infrastructure arena.

“Within the world of transport, the balancing act is between building more roads for more vehicles versus developing mass public transport systems, which may be more expensive initially but are overall more sustainable,” she says.

“Mass public transport systems, when planned properly, can do less damage to the environment. They can also be better in terms of energy usage, as we can use renewable energy sources for mass public transport more easily than we currently do for private car transport,” she adds.

ROLE OF ENGINEERS AND DESIGNERS According to Fowler, engineers have a key role to play in the design of future infrastructure projects.

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

“One of the things that we love to do in Beca’s transport and infrastructure business is to get involved in active transport projects.

When working with our clients on developing urban landscapes, if we design pleasant places for people to walk and cycle, they are far more likely to choose those options than getting into a private car. So as engineers, we’ve got a fantastic opportunity to influence the landscape of our future cities,” she observes.

She’s also an advocate for involving engineers in early planning for infrastructure projects, to help drive innovations.

“I think it’s very important that practicing engineers step into that space of feasibility planning and optioneering,” she says.

“Engineers have a lot to offer in the early stages of project conception. They can bring in ideas that can influence long-term sustainability of the projects. At present this seems to be the domain of professional business case writers, with too few engineers participating in the concept or feasibility stages of projects.”

Increasing engineers’ involvement, she admits, requires efforts from two groups. The first one is from educators and early-career employers to embed the “big picture thinking” in the young engineers’ minds.

“As young engineers work through their academic education and early employment years, the question we should be asking is ‘Are we making sure that the professional engineers of the future are developing broad awareness of what it means to be engineers and not just a narrow and deep focus in the technical arena?’ Because if that’s not achieved, it’s to the detriment of the overall success of future projects.”

The next step, she says, is for project owners to seek the opinions of engineers early in the project planning stage, to consider alternative options before costing the project.

“Once a decision has been made to pursue a project and we’re looking at a tender document to price the design and subsequently the construction, it can be very difficult to propose alternative materials or concepts that would be more sustainable.

Very often we [engineers] may be aware of newly available recycled materials or best practices in design and construction that are non-traditional. The challenge comes from persuading clients to accept something that doesn’t necessary meet historical standards or practices,” she says.

It is here that she sees opportunities for changing the status-quo and moving more

rapidly to ensure the sector is not left behind.

CHALLENGES FOR TRANSITION Fowler describes the industry’s current state of affairs as a classic “chicken and egg” situation.

“We cannot be innovative without the right technical specifications, but we cannot establish the technical specifications without the right datasets to support that.”

She recalls an example when her team suggested using a new road surfacing material with high recycled content for an intersection upgrade project. They were faced with resistance from the relevant road authority.

The authority had cited lack of established procedures and standards as the reason for rejection, along with the administrative burden of trying something new.

“It was so frustrating,” she says, “because as professional engineers we know it’s our responsibility to be pushing the boundaries, to push best practice, and when you try to introduce that into a project and you come up against administrative red tape that stops the progress of technology, that’s incredibly disappointing.”

To get past this hurdle, she says, a new approach to risk management and project planning is necessary.

“In the current scenario, a lot of the risk involved in trialling deployment of recycled materials is pushed to the designer and the constructor, while project owners are looking for absolute certainty of outcomes. The result is that when it comes to tender pricing, we engineers often have to forgo the ideas we could put forward and resort to using the same standard materials and methods.”

When it comes to developing new standards of practice, time is of the essence, Fowler says.

“The technical standards and codes of practice that we need generally take two or three years to come to fruition. But we only have eight years to bend the curve, so we can’t wait that long for the codes of practice to be updated. We need a faster approvals process. The bureaucratic system is too slow,” she says.

So, what’s the next step to raise the game for circular economy in the transport and infrastructure sector?

“We need cross-party support from all levels of government – at Federal, state and council levels – to be committed to moving forward with their own asset procurement and management, to improve their sustainability practices. We want to see

Rachel Fowler, General Manager of Beca’s Transport and Infrastructure business.

“WE CANNOT BE INNOVATIVE WITHOUT THE RIGHT TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS, BUT WE CANNOT ESTABLISH THE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS WITHOUT THE RIGHT DATASETS TO SUPPORT THAT.” government agencies in every state sharing the risks of innovation and supporting the construction industry in making a quicker transition to using recycled materials,” Fowler says.

“We need infrastructure clients, as well as constructors and designers, to all be asking themselves if what they’re doing is ‘broadly’ sustainable, not just in a narrow sense. Is the asset that’s being designed and built incorporating the best practice reuse of materials, with awareness of the impact on the local community and the ecological environment? We need everybody who’s involved in roads and infrastructure to be committed to raising their game in terms of sustainability.” * This is the second in a series of articles with Beca’s experts to look at the state of circular economy in roads and infrastructure and the next steps for implementation. Read the first article in our April 2022 edition. roadsonline.com.au

29

ROAD REVIEW

FOR THE ROAD REVIEW SECTION THIS MONTH, WE ASKED THE INDUSTRY DECISION-MAKERS, ‘WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES FOR GREATER USE OF RECYCLED MATERIALS IN ROADS AND PAVEMENTS?’

ANNA D’ANGELO – AFPA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TECHNOLOGY AND LEADERSHIP Since China’s National Sword policy in 2018, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) waste export ban initiated in 2019, and the drive to embed circular economy principles across all sectors, there have been significant efforts to find solutions to recover and reuse waste stream materials. However, there are still some challenges related to negative perceptions associated with the definition of “waste” materials. There is the need of a shift in thinking to consider some of these materials no longer as waste, but as resources for the flexible pavement industry and to innovatively find new solutions. Used tyres, Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), crushed glass, and plastics are some examples of “waste” materials that could be diverted from landfill to road maintenance and construction. To reduce our carbon footprint, greater understanding and acceptance of these alternative material sources is needed.

DANTE CREMASCO, HEAD OF ROAD SERVICES, DOWNER GROUP Achieving a greater use of recycled materials in roads is a collective challenge. As Downer has been a pioneer in this area, it’s been incredibly positive to see significant changes and improvements to Australia’s procurement policies, state road specifications and recycling practices over the past few years. There has been huge momentum to solve these challenges collaboratively and we have formed successful partnerships with suppliers and state authorities to optimise the use of recycled materials while improving road performance. In order to realise Australia’s 2050 targets, asset owners will demand even lower carbon intensity – requiring superior asset management protocols, higher recycled content and trending to ambient temperatures in asphalt and bituminous products. In addition, recovering resources from existing roads is vital and our ability to carbon inset this in our supply chain will lower our footprint.

TONY ALOISIO, DIRECTOR, ECOLOGIQ The biggest constraints are time, cost, lack of knowledge and confidence in recycled products, disconnection between market supply and demand, and technical standards and specifications that do not reflect current possibilities. The Victorian Government’s Ecologiq program views these challenges as opportunities to develop an industry that is informed and intentional, working to remove barriers and fact-check myths through education, building capability and sharing experience. In two years, Victoria’s Recycled First Policy has increased the use of recycled and reused products by 50 per cent, as it requires contractors to maximise their use in transport projects.

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ROADS JUNE 2022

ROADS REVIEW

MICHAEL CALTABIANO, ARRB CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER At the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB), we utilise our world-leading material science laboratories in Port Melbourne to create, assess, test and define the characteristics of recycled materials that are proposed for use in our transport infrastructure. The material science for recycled materials like crumbed rubber, crushed glass and recycled waste stream plastic is then combined with ARRB’s deep economic skills to determine the greenhouse gas emission reductions. This can also demonstrate cost savings that emerge from recycled materials use. The biggest challenge that faces increased usage of recycled materials is the slow development of specifications that provide local governments and state agencies the confidence to call up recycled products as preferred materials in the construction and maintenance of transport infrastructure. ARRB’s national team of engineering expertise has developed standards for many next generation materials, but there is a long way to go, and we look forward to assisting the construction sector deliver great outcomes in the enhanced use of recycled materials in transport infrastructure.

JONATHAN CARTLEDGE, DIRECTOR OF POLICY & RESEARCH AT INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA Infrastructure Australia, through our Market Capacity Program, is currently exploring supply constraints for the use of replacement materials in road infrastructure through a collaborative research project with the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and the Australian Road Research Board. Early findings are pointing to areas of world-leading practice that are ripe for scaling-up, but in parallel stakeholders are reporting systemic constraints including supply chain certainty, late specifications in project design, cultural barriers to innovation in procurement, regulatory obstacles, and standards. An expanded view of the potential demand for these materials will be provided as part of the 2022 Infrastructure Market Capacity report later this year.

DR XUEMEI LIU, CO-ORDINATOR, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE & DESIGN, THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE Given the complexity of infrastructure projects, a cross-disciplinary and multi-sector environment, involving research institutes, product developers and end-users all involved in demonstration projects can pave the way for further growth of circular economy in this sector. Local standards and specifications need to be established for performance-based design allowing flexible use of recycled materials. More research needs to be done to fully understand the impacts on the health, safety and environmental aspects which could be brought forward by using various recycled materials in roads. To accelerate the adoption, more demonstration projects are needed to develop the confidence in the industry. (Contributors include Prof. Tuan Ngo and A/Prof. Mahdi Miri Disfani).

If you or someone at your organisation is an industry leader and would like to be a part of this monthly column in 2022, please get in touch with Editor, Mike Wheeler: mike.wheeler@primecreative.com.au

roadsonline.com.au

31

STEERING TOWARDS

DIVERSITY

ALEX FRASER AND HANSON AUSTRALIA’S TRAINEE DRIVER PROGRAM IS UPSKILLING WOMEN TO BECOME FULL TIME, LICENCED TRUCK DRIVERS. ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE SITS DOWN WITH JEFF BURNS, HANSON REGIONAL HR MANAGER AND PROGRAM GRADUATE MIRA NOVAK TO LEARN MORE. Alex Fraser truck driver Mira Novak.

T

ruck driving has long been a maledominated industry.

According to 2021 figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, only about 2.9 per cent of truck drivers across the country are women.

This is why, in 2018, Alex Fraser and parent company Hanson Australia, conducted their first Trainee Driver Program, aiming to create new pathways for women to join the industry.

Specifically designed to increase women’s participation, the program provides candidates with an intensive five-week training course, licence testing for heavy rigid (HR) vehicles, followed by full-time employment as concrete agitator and tandem tipper drivers. The initial program successfully graduated seven women drivers.

Hanson repeated the program in April

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ROADS JUNE 2022

2021 at Warrnambool in regional Victoria, training three women as agitator drivers for a local wind farm project. A larger course was run in November 2021 in Melbourne, upskilling and employing another 12 trainees.

Fast track to 2022 and Alex Fraser and Hanson Australia’s Trainee Driver Program continues to provide a unique and coveted pathway for women into full-time and rewarding truck-driving careers.

As Jeff Burns, Hanson Australia’s Regional Human Resources Manager explains, the training has gone from strength to strength.

“It’s a big boost for the participation of women in our business. We have trainees from all walks of life, including personal care attendants, chefs, retail assistants, traffic controllers, hospitality and hair and beauty specialists,” he says.

THE TRAINEE DRIVER PROGRAM Participants begin the trainee driver program by applying online. Shortlisted applicants attend a group interview, where successful candidates are offered a position in the intensive training course. Trainees complete seven days of theoretical education, before the three weeks of driving under instruction. The training is based on the Superior Heavy Vehicle Licensing program, a Certificate III course developed by Wodonga TAFE and Driver Education Centre of Australia (DECA).

Upon completion, participants take on a full-time trainee driving role with either Alex Fraser or Hanson Australia, where they receive intensive on-the-job coaching and support from a highly experienced truck driver or trainer throughout their 10 days of induction.

To be eligible to obtain their Heavy Rigid (HR) license, Trainee Driver Program participants must have held a car licence for at least two years. Some of the more experienced program participants have held a HR or MR licence for at least 12 months, and have enrolled in the program to upskill to a Heavy Combination (HC) licence, enabling them to drive larger truck and trailers for Hanson and Alex Fraser.

Burns says the program has been a big success.

“It’s one of the most rewarding initiatives I’ve ever been a part of, which is making a real difference in the lives of the trainee women and their families. It’s heartwarming to see them succeed and go onto bigger and better things,” he says.

“Anyone from any walk of life, with the right attitude, is welcome.”

Burns adds that the program has also bolstered Alex Fraser and Hanson

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

November 2021 Graduates of Alex Fraser and Hanson Australia’s Trainee Driver Program.

Australia’s recruitment efforts.

“The industry is short of sufficient driver talent. Back in 2018, there were around 10,000 driver jobs posted on Seek.com,” he says.

“The development of the Trainee Driver Program gives us access to a talent pool which was not available previously. Our initial training was funded externally, but it’s been so successful that we’ve continued to run it at our own expense.”

A GRADUATE’S PERSPECTIVE Trainee Driver Program Graduate Mira Novak was looking to re-enter the workforce after the birth of her second child. Having previously worked in aged care, Novak was interested in trying something new. When the ad for Alex Fraser and Hanson’s Trainee Driver Program appeared in her online newsfeed, Novak jumped at the opportunity.

“I was attracted to the program because it was open to women only, full training was provided, and because applicants would be given the

“THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TRAINEE DRIVER PROGRAM GIVES US ACCESS TO A TALENT POOL WHICH WAS NOT AVAILABLE PREVIOUSLY. OUR INITIAL TRAINING WAS FUNDED EXTERNALLY, BUT IT’S BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL THAT WE’VE CONTINUED TO RUN IT AT OUR OWN EXPENSE.” opportunity to sit for their HR licence with full-time employment offered after the completion of the course,” she says.

“My sister is an electrician, and I asked her for advice about applying for the role and she was really encouraging, so I gave it a go.”

Novak is now a truck driver with Alex Fraser, after completing the inaugural Trainee Driver Program in 2018.

She says the ‘women only’ aspect of the course helped create a comfortable learning environment for her. Since completing the trainee program, she has also noticed a significant increase in the number of women joining the industry.

“The program felt like a safe space for me to learn. The women were very encouraging, and it was very much

women supporting women,” she says.

“When I started, I didn’t see many women driving trucks. In the past couple of years, I’ve noticed a lot more women driving or working in positions that have been traditionally filled by men. It’s great driving into sites and seeing women operating heavy machinery.”

Novak says the program developed her time management and customer service skills, too.

She strongly encourages women interested in truck driving careers to apply for the next Trainee Driver Programs

by Alex Fraser and Hanson Australia; scheduled for August 8 and November 14.

“You have nothing to lose, and so much to gain from an experience like this,” she says. roadsonline.com.au

33

HOW ARCADIS IMPROVED THEIR DIGITAL COLLABORATION T ARCADIS HAS ENLISTED THE SERVICES OF REVIZTO’S DIGITAL ENGINEERING PLATFORM TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF DESIGN AND ENGINEERING ON SOME OF THE NATION’S LARGEST INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS. ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE SPEAKS WITH ARCADIS’ ENGINEERING TEAM TO LEARN MORE.

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ROADS JUNE 2022

hree years ago, design, engineering and consultancy solutions company Arcadis recognised an opportunity to take a leap within the market.

Following the increased use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) throughout the construction sector, Arcadis sought the services of Revizto, an integrated BIM collaboration software platform introduced globally in 2014.

Mitch Medway, Arcadis Regional Digital Lead – Property, Energy and Resources, says adopting Revizto’s software has opened the door to an exciting collaborative environment.

“We are continually looking to improve our efficiency as a company. So, the initial priority for

TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT

Revizto allows project members to identify and manage construction issues in 3D and 2D spaces.

Safety managers, builders and engineers can share results instantaneously while using Revizto.

us was making sure we had the correct tools at our disposal,” he says.

“A lot of our clients are tier one contractors.

Revizto is used heavily by the people we associate ourselves with. It was important for us that we could speak their language in terms of software.”

Revizto collates BIM and CAD data and makes it immediately accessible for an entire project team in one centralised environment.

Using the software, project members can identify and manage issues in 3D and 2D spaces, before construction begins on site.

This data is then stored in a cloud base, which can be accessed from any device.

Medway says the use of Revizto has increased the speed and accuracy of collaboration on major infrastructure projects, particularly for works involving joint ventures.

“Traditionally, the industry has suffered due to different parties using different processes for project delivery. It’s been hard to find synergy in how we co-ordinate together.

Revizto helps with this,” he says.

“The biggest challenge on a rail or station asset is that these projects are multidisciplinary. It’s key for project information to be centralised and it simplifies the process. When this process is simplified, we seem to have more stakeholder engagement and communication is also easier when dealing with large numbers of stakeholders.”

Revizto also lets users such as safety managers, builders and engineers share results instantaneously, ensuring each party has the full context of an infrastructure project.

“Other programs only allow one person to access a model at any given time. With Revizto we can have everyone in a model simultaneously. This is fundamental for how we operate as a business,” Medway says.

Arcadis has now used the platform on major projects in Melbourne and Sydney, with plans to use Revizto on more upcoming projects.

ACTIVE UPDATES Revizto is continuing to grow as a platform.

The program now supports 19 plugins and supports 11 different formats, including PDF and ReCap. Features are also being added and updated, such as the platform’s Revizto+ version.

Introduced in October 2021, this software version introduced automatic clash detection.

Medway says this feature has been a “game changer” for Arcadis.

“It’s a mechanism that detects if there is a discrepancy between two objects in two different models. Essentially, it’s a risk mitigation feature,” he says.

“This latest version also enables us to coordinate point clouds.. We can now receive a point cloud scan from a surveyor, allowing

us to identify clashes without needing to generate a separate model.”

Arcadis worked closely with Revizto to develop an implementation plan. This consisted of a five-week, face-to-face training program for Arcadis staff. Steven Coyle, Arcadis Regional Digital Engineering Lead, says the business is now very comfortable with using Revizto.

“This training was based on one of our projects, so our team could apply that training to a real-life application. Our staff were able to maximise their time with the program straight away,” he says.

“Now we are able to lead the digital coordination on projects by having this tool at our disposal.”

Revizto can also be used without extensive training. Users can move between 2D and 3D models, while using more traditional methods.

Peter Harris, Digital Engineering Lead, says the impact of COVID-19 has accelerated the need for Cloud-based collaborative programs.

“It’s a great tool because it’s consistent. It allows us as a team to work pro-actively, rather than relying on the expertise and programs of stakeholders,” Harris says.

“Seeing the visible environment is very useful for complex projects and I believe it has enhanced the skills of our design and engineering team as well.”

Arcadis is upgrading its Revizto licence, allowing more concurrent users to access the program.

“We want to be able to lead the digital engineering efforts on behalf of our clients.”

“Revizto is a foundation for us to increase our digital automation and accumulate more of our own IP, which also differentiates us within the market,” Medway says. roadsonline.com.au

35

THE 6X:VEGA’S SIMPLE

RADAR FORMULA

VEGA HAS USHERED IN A NEW ERA OF LEVEL SENSORS WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF VEGAPULS 6X. ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE LOOKS AT THE ADVANTAGES OF THE NEW RADAR LEVEL SENSOR.

VEGAPULS 6X contains a second-generation radar chip, which was developed due to a lack of suitability from other chips on the market.

T

raditionally, the search for a suitable radar sensor begins with the question ‘which frequency would work best for this application?’ This is followed by thoughts about the properties of the media and how it could influence the measurement, as well as the specific installation environment. The temperature range, or the presence of aggressive chemicals, may give cause for concern. Will a standard process fitting be sufficient, or would special materials be the right choice, because the user is not completely sure and wants to be on the safe side? And what else should be considered if the sensor is to measure great distances or be exposed to wind and weather all year round?

These and countless other questions make one thing clear: with so many options, it’s hard to make the right choice. Customers must choose from a large variety of radar sensors that are on offer. As the areas of application become multi-faceted and processes become more complex, the buyer

36

ROADS JUNE 2022

needs a good understanding and overview of what’s available on the market. It takes the right know-how, experience, and time to avoid making bad investments and get a reliable measuring system.

ONE SENSOR FOR EVERYTHING Until now, choosing an instrument was a laborious process and often involved a lot of questions and product research. VEGA is turning this process inside out with its new VEGAPULS 6X. “Ultimately, it’s not the sensor that counts, but what the users can achieve with it in their individual applications,” says Florian Burgert, one of VEGA’s Product Managers who has been closely involved in the development of VEGAPULS 6X. “Just knowing that they’ve chosen the best possible instrument, and that they’ll reach their goal faster with it, makes a big difference in their everyday operations.”

VEGA now offers one sensor for all applications. With VEGAPULS 6X, selecting

the right frequency or determining the DK value of the medium are no longer obstacles. The new configurator asks for the type of application and then quickly determines which sensor version is required. The procedure consists of a few mouse clicks.

Of course, an advisory discussion with a VEGA radar specialist is still a good alternative to the configurator, according to Burgert.

“In any case, the result is simplicity for users and a measurement solution that delivers perfect results independently of the media properties, process conditions, vessel shapes and internal installations,” he says.

VEGA INSTRUMENTS WORLDWIDE VEGA’s radar success story began 30 years ago and includes achievements such as developing the world’s first two-wire radar instrument and the first 80-GHz radar sensor for liquids. There are now over one million radar instruments from VEGA in

TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT

“THE VEGAPULS 6X CONFORMS TO IEC 61511, WHICH FULFILS THE STRICTEST REQUIREMENTS FOR SECURITY OF SYSTEM ACCESS AND COMMUNICATION CONTROL. IT THUS GUARANTEES COMPREHENSIVE PROCESS SECURITY, RIGHT THROUGH TO THE CONTROL SYSTEM.”

The VEGAPULS 6X features a simplistic design, with basic data input requiring minimal input.

use worldwide – in industries such as chemical, energy, food, oil and gas and many others.

“With each new instrument generation, the company has been able to set new standards and develop new features that have made the products more reliable, accurate, robust and flexible. And the focus has always been on high sensor quality,” says Burgert.

FOUR-STAGE, ALL-ROUND PROTECTION VEGAPULS 6X also offers technical innovations, such as being equipped with a comprehensive safety concept.

“Functional safety is guaranteed, as it conforms with all the requirements of Safety Integrity Level (SIL). The certified sensor has exceptional SIL characteristics and provides the necessary operational safety to minimise risks in safetyrelated applications,” says Burgert.

Another increasingly important focus is cybersecurity, he says.

“The VEGAPULS 6X conforms to IEC 61511, which fulfils the strictest requirements for security of system access and communication control. It thus guarantees comprehensive process security, right through to the control system.”

An important third aspect of the safety features is the sensor’s self-diagnosis system. It continuously monitors the function of the sensor and recognises if it has been impaired, therefore contributing to higher plant availability and sensor performance.

Central to these features is a new, secondgeneration radar chip directly from VEGA. Because there was no chip available on the market that would have met all requirements, the research and development team set to design one themselves.

“The result pretty much consolidates our entire radar experience from three decades,” says VEGA Product Manager Jürgen Skowaisa. “In its scope and functionality, the chip is unique

VEGA’s new VEGAPULS 6X has been designed to minimise risks in safety-related applications.

roadsonline.com.au

37

TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT

“OUR TECHNOLOGY HAS REACHED SUCH A HIGH LEVEL TODAY THAT RELIABLE FUNCTION IS NO LONGER AN ISSUE.” in the world. It is especially characterised by its low energy consumption, high sensitivity, scalable architecture, and universal applicability. The radar antenna system and the chip are connected directly to each other, without any cable, for maximum performance.”

NEW IN A DIFFERENT WAY In addition to the technical improvements, the VEGA radar team addressed questions that went beyond product design. Questions like ‘what will the long-term impact of this technology be on the users?’, ‘How can their work be simplified?’, ‘What future goals of the industry can be realised with the new technology?’ were raised by the design team.

This new approach gave rise to the impulses that make VEGAPULS 6X different.

Skowaisa says by carefully considering the users and the process conditions of their applications, other points came into focus.

“These include the challenges in using

measuring instruments, such as complicated adjustment procedures, the constant pressure to increase efficiency, and time constraints in general.”

The job of level sensors is to make it easier for users to monitor their industrial processes. They often make processes more controllable and more efficient, but selecting the right sensor for an application can still be difficult.

Skowaisa sums up the strategy VEGA is pursuing with VEGAPULS 6X in two words: “maximum simplification”.

“Until now, there were many different sensors that could be used for an application, but today, with VEGAPULS 6X, there is one sensor for all applications,” he says.

With setup and commissioning reduced to a minimum, he says the input of basic data now requires only a few clicks.

“Our customers can even order a sensor that has been factory calibrated and

customer-specific down to the last detail. It only needs to be installed and connected.

It doesn’t get any easier than that,” says Skowaisa.

With VEGAPULS 6X, VEGA has rounded out its radar measurement technology with four important innovations: More safety and self-diagnosis, new radar chip technology, new application possibilities and simpler adjustment.

“Our technology has reached such a high level today that reliable function is no longer an issue,” says Skowaisa. “The only risk now is choosing the wrong sensor.”

Thanks to the new approach with VEGAPULS 6X, VEGA now provides the tools to get the right sensor version for any application in 99 per cent of all cases, while keeping experienced application engineers on standby to help with the special, more difficult applications, he says.

“In the future, users will no longer need to worry about the technology, frequency or the instrument version they choose – the measurement will simply work each time.”

For more information, visit: www.vega.com/radar

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INTELLIGENT OPERATION

WITH KOMATSU

MAYDAY RENTAL HAS BROKEN NEW GROUND BY ADDING AN INTELLIGENT MACHINE CONTROL EQUIPPED KOMATSU BULLDOZER TO ITS FLEET. CO-FOUNDER BRYCE ABBOTT EXPLAINS.

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achinery hire company, Mayday Rental, has found a niche in Perth’s demanding building market. With more than 200 pieces of plant in its fleet, the company has taken a leading position in the Western Australian construction market by moving to an almost exclusive dry hire service, using latest generation machinery models fitted with intelligent features.

Mayday Rental has worked with Komatsu to develop a fleet of earthmovers equipped with intelligent Machine Control (iMC) to act as driver aids, making dry hire more feasible.

Mayday Rental’s D65PXi-18 excavator.

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ROADS JUNE 2022

Komatsu’s iMC 2.0 technology delivers productivity, efficiency and cost saving advantages to its latest model “intelligent” dozers and excavators. It helps operators with dozing control, using automated features such as Auto Grade Assist and Auto Tilt Control. iMC 2.0’s Auto Tilt automatically tilts the bucket to maintain straight travel through rough dozing. This feature reduces user steering input by up to 80 per cent.

The Auto Grade Assist function includes a bucket angle hold feature, which lets the operator select the desired bucket

angle, then the system automatically holds this angle through the grading pass.

The intelligent dozers also feature Lift Layer Control and Quick Surface Creation – all facilitated by intelligent data.

Lift Layer Control combines the capabilities of Proactive Dozing Control with the ability to read two surfaces at one time. The system can read the existing surface below the design surface and lay down layers of dirt to reach the design surface – at customisable depths. The consistent layers allow for better compaction.

Using Quick Surface Creation, with

TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT

Komatu’s iMC feature gives operators full control over the D65PXi-18 dozer.

the touch of a button the operator can quickly create a surface design and begin stripping or spreading, even if the 3D model hasn’t been uploaded yet.

According to Mayday Rental CoFounder Bryce Abbott, intelligent machine control has given the business the confidence to add bulldozer models into its hire mix – even models that can be operated by those with little bulldozer experience.

Formed close to 30 years ago by Abbott and his late father Ken, Mayday Rental already had more than 30 new Komatsu motor graders, excavators, and wheel loaders in operation on sites from Busselton to Broome, in Western Australia.

The opportunity to add bulldozer models for hire became apparent at the end of 2021.

“The market need was there, and we needed to stay true to our goal of going where the work is,” Abbott says.

As a result, Mayday Rental purchased Komatsu’s intelligent D65PXi-18 dozer, a model that is suited for heavy loads in soft or wet conditions.

AUTOMATED ASSISTANCE Mayday Rental worked with Komatsu to understand the security and protection of Komatsu’s integrated Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).

“SEMI-AUTOMATIC MACHINE CONTROL MAKES THE D65PXI-18 VERSATILE, SO IT CAN BE USED FOR HEAVY DOZING AND FINISHED GRADING”.

The GNSS uses satellites to determine the precise location of the machine. This system also allows the D65PXi-18 dozer to understand the terrain around the machine, making sure the blade can be used to an exact grade.

“Semi-automatic machine control makes the D65PXi-18 versatile, so it can be used for heavy dozing and finished grading,” Abbott says. “The GNSS automatically controls blade elevation, lift layer control and tilt from any height.”

All major components for this system are protected within the body of the D65PXi-18 dozer, reducing the risk of damage.

OVERCOMING SKILL SHORTAGES Abbott says the construction industry had been challenged by operator skill shortages, opening market opportunities for his company. He says the system has also added an extra layer of flexibility for operators. “iMC technology enables our customers’ projects to continue smoothly when specialised operators are unavailable,” he says.

“Regardless of experience level, almost any operator can utilise the D65PXi’s interface to get on grade with the least number of passes.”

Komatsu’s onboard GPS reporting and machine health monitoring service, Komtrax, has also enabled Mayday Rental to monitor customer use and to better control machine use and maintenance.

Komtrax allows users to monitor the location, health and performance of every machine. This information can be accessed from the latest smartphones, tablets and computers.

According to Abbott, customer feedback in the first months of operation has been positive. Fully automatic blade control has compensated for operator mistakes by minimising track slip and reducing the potential for overexcavation.

“Our feedback has revealed substantial increases in productivity and precision, along with reduced fuel consumption and cost-per-meter of material moved,” he says.

With more than 90 percent of its entire machinery inventory being used on any given day, Mayday Rental is also looking to add a second iMC-equipped bulldozer, Abbott says.

“Even as operators upskill, the use of iMC has provided us the opportunity to increase the base of our clientele and put us in front of major councils and road contractors,” he says. roadsonline.com.au

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DYNAPAC GEN VI:

THE ‘CROSSOVER’ ROLLERS CHRIS PARKIN, NATIONAL PRODUCT MANAGER OF DYNAPAC AT CEA, SAYS DYNAPAC’S CC1300VI AND CC1400VI DOUBLE DRUM VIBRATORY ROLLERS PROVIDE COMPACTION SUITABLE FOR BOTH SMALLER AND LARGER PROJECTS ALIKE.

The CC1300VI and CC1400VI double-drum vibratory rollers are the biggest in Dynapac’s ‘small’ range, meaning they can be used to complete larger projects.

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ith more than 40 rollers, ranging from 1.6 to 21 tonnes, Dynapac has established a product range that is suitable for all compaction applications.

Chris Parkin, National Product Manager of the Dynapac range at CEA, says the new CC1300VI and CC1400VI doubledrum vibratory rollers aim to bridge the gap between the small and large tandem roller categories, offering more flexibility to contractors.

“There are certain applications where you need a smaller machine, such as for footpaths or small patching jobs. For these works, operators will typically use a 1.6-tonne or 2.5-tonne machine,” Parkin says.

“However, some customers do a very wide range of works. They might be doing patching work one day and a main road or very large carpark the next day. In that case, a 2.5-tonne machine may not cut it. Unfortunately, some customers may not have the work to justify the investment in a large frame, eight-tonne machine.”

The CC1300VI and CC1400VI double-drum vibratory rollers are the biggest within Dynapac’s ‘small’ tandem roller range, allowing them to also complete larger compaction 42

ROADS JUNE 2022

projects. As such, Parkin has labelled the models as true “cross-over machines.”

Both units feature a cross-mounted engine, the same concept as seen in the smaller CC1100VI and CC1200VI, which provides greater visibility to the operator and reduces the risk of damage when compacting against a

new kerb or gutter.

“The way the engine is mounted allows the chassis to be tapered much further at the rear.

This means that operators can have better visibility of the drum edges. The chassis does not obstruct the view as much as it did in previous generations,” Parkin says.

TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT

The CC1300VI and CC1400VI double-drum vibratory rollers support optional dual compaction frequencies of 3240 vibrations per minute.

Additionally, the operator seat can slide across the platform with the dual forward and reverse levels following the seat, giving the user improved vision and not impacting access to the machine controls.

“With the extra visibility to the drum edge, you can make sure that you are compacting right up to the edge of the work area, without hitting any existing services such as concrete gutters or pavement,” Parkin says.

The cross-mounted engine also increases the accessibility to components such as engine oil filters, the engine oil dipstick and pumps for the hydraulics, improving serviceability.

FLEXIBILITY The CC1300VI and CC1400VI double-drum vibratory rollers support optional dual compaction frequencies of 3,240 vibrations per minute (vpm) or 2,940 vpm. As the units can be used for a range of projects, this feature allows compaction to be adapted based on the material and site conditions.

“If you are compacting asphalt, you would want to have the highest frequency possible to ensure that you don’t damage the material or leave any marking on the mat. When compacting gravels or soils, most users would want a slightly lower frequency,” Parkin says.

“The Dynapac generation VI rollers are designed to allow engine speed to be adjusted slightly to suit both low and high frequencies.”

Both units also have a mechanical drum offset, allowing the front drum to be offset from the rear by up to 50mm.

“This allows the operator to compact closer to edges or objects if required, as they only need to focus on keeping one drum in line. If you are working near an edge or on unstable material, the offset can also provide a wide centre of gravity to ensure the machine is well balanced,” Parkin explains.

The machines also support additional attachments increasing the versatility and flexibility of possible applications.

“You can add a chip/grit spreader to the rear of the machine, or an edge press device onto the front.

“These attachments have traditionally only been accessible with the larger models.

However, with these machines being used on larger projects, these attachments may be Both double-drum vibratory rollers provide greater visibility for compacting near kerbs or gutters.

required,” Parkin says.

The generation VI rollers also have flexible lifting, tie-down and towing options for haulage, with casted forks allowing for easy and quick transportation.

PEACE OF MIND For the CC1300VI and CC1400VI double-drum vibratory rollers, Dynapac has developed an operator platform that emphasises driver comfort.

The platform is vibration-damped and the seat suspension is weight-adjustable. As the seat can slide across the platform, the forward and reverse lever follows the seat, meaning the operator doesn’t have to lean to reach controls. The machines are also equipped standard with dual forward and reverse levers.

As Parkin adds, the control panel has been completely modernised.

“It doesn’t have the conventional toggle switches. These have been replaced with an LCD display and a membrane-style pushbutton keypad,” he says.

The CC1300VI and CC1400VI double drum vibratory rollers are also compatible with the Dyn@Link telematics system for remote monitoring.

This program allows users to collect important data such as the positioning and engine hours of the machine. Users can view this information remotely via the Dyn@Link online portal and phone application.

“From a fleet maintenance and operation perspective, this tool is very useful,” Parkin says.

Dynapac’s CC1300VI and CC1400VI are now available through CEA dealerships across Australia. roadsonline.com.au

43

Sustainability starts with

circular design

TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT

GROWING

AUSTEK ROADS

AUSTEK ROADS HAS GROWN INTO ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S MOST INNOVATIVE ASPHALT MANUFACTURERS. MANAGING DIRECTOR PETER OZOUX EXPLAINS WHY WIRTGEN EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN THE COMPANY’S DEVELOPMENT.

After launching with just two machines in 2010, Austek Roads’ fleet has now grown to 78 units.

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ustek Roads began in 2010 as an asphalt bobcat business with one bobcat and one tipper, carrying out small-scale work in North Brisbane.

Fast forward to 2012 and Managing Director Peter Ozoux reached his first major milestone, becoming a plant hire service and a fully functioning asphalt provider.

Today, Austek Roads has an asphalt production facility, two depots and employs more than 75 staff.

As Ozoux recalls, the early days of the business laid the foundations for the company’s success.

“Back in 2010, I used to run the whole business and operate the machines myself. We’ve now grown to have 78

pieces of equipment,” he says.

As an asphalt provider, Austek Roads won a Metro Road Asset Management Contract for the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads – the company’s first major tender.

At completion of the four-year contract, Ozoux was looking to expand the company’s capabilities.

It was while establishing a Benninghoven asphalt site in Yatala, Queensland that he became aware of alternative asphalt plant fuels and additives.

Conventional fuel was being replaced with a diesel-like product made from recycled tyres.

As part of the process, tyres were recycled by desorption, producing a

material called carbon black.

“We invested in testing with petroleum engineers to look at the fuel,” Ozoux says. “We then conducted some preliminary tests, putting the carbon into the asphalt.”

Implementing the fuel did pose a risk, Ozoux says.

“The quality and chemical composition of the recovered carbon supplied by Pearl Global in Stapylton suggested it would be a game changer and was worth further investigating to see if it improved the performance of the asphalt as we expected. Sure enough, it did,” he says.

Following a suite of successful tests, Austek Roads worked with the Wirtgen Group to develop a system that roadsonline.com.au

45

TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT

Austek Roads fleet consists of 22 Wirtgen Group machines.

“ONCE WE BOUGHT THE FIRST ROLLER IN 2015 AND COMPARED IT TO WHAT WE WERE USING PREVIOUSLY, WE KNEW THEY WERE THE RIGHT SUPPLIERS FOR US.” would accept the fuel. This required amendments to the burner of the plant, as well as modifications to the fuel itself.

“The plant has now been running on that fuel for the last two years,” Ozoux says. “It was a big risk, as nobody had done anything like it. It’s been really successful, and we are now looking into assisting the rest of the asphalt industry, to adopt these processes with other companies that are interested.”

Ozoux says the alternative fuel

production provides significant cost – and environmental – benefits.

“Instead of tyres going to landfill, our asphalt plant can accept these products locally. We also incorporate recycled glass as a sand replacement and recycled asphalt pavement is used for up to 30 per cent of the asphalt that we make,” he says.

Austek Roads asphalt production site in Yatala is now capable of producing 240 tonnes per hour, via a Benninghoven

ECO3000 Batch Plant. Ozoux says the facility can manufacture more if required.

“The production volumes can be very flexible. We’re able to manufacture 300,000 to 400,000 tonnes a year if we need to,” he says.

Austek Roads is a fully integrated business offering asphalt design manufacture lay and test, spray seal, crack sealing, profiling, cartage and recycling.

BACKING WIRTGEN Austek has continued to expand its range of Wirtgen Group equipment, including milling machines, Voegele pavers and Hamm rollers.

“All of our paving fleet has been purchased from Wirtgen. We looked at them as the leader on the market,” Ozoux says.

“Once we bought the first roller in 2015, and compared it to what we were using previously, we knew they were the right suppliers for us. We still believe their machinery is superior.”

Austek Roads will look to upgrade its machinery and plant equipment accordingly, with works in progress to win larger contracts.

Ozoux says the company will look no further than the Wirtgen Group.

“Wirtgen machinery is very reliable.

They’re high-quality products.”

Austek Roads’ Hamm rollers.

46

ROADS JUNE 2022

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ADVANCING PLANT TECHNOLOGY

WITH CIBER

CIBER CONTINUES TO BE AN INNOVATOR IN ASPHALT PLANT PRODUCTION. ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE SITS DOWN WITH THE WIRTGEN GROUP TEAM TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CIBER’S RENOWNED INOVA SERIES ASPHALT PLANTS MODELS.

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irtgen Group has long been the technological innovators and Ciber, which has been part of the Wirtgen Group since the early 90s designing, building and exporting asphalt plants all over the world, continues to listen to customers worldwide.

Ciber has delivered once again, with the highly mobile two trailer and six cold feed bins iNova Series asphalt plants models. This range of 75-150 and 100-200 tonnes per hour machines have the characteristics to be the perfect project plant and also the perfect fixed location country plant.

The new hot storage silo STA 50P model has a 50 tonne storage capacity, for up to 24 hours.

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ROADS JUNE 2022

In a fast-changing world where autonomous technology is becoming available, one would also expect an industry innovator to introduce advanced automatic controls.

Using a simple analogy to understand the process, Robert Messner, Product Specialist from Wirtgen Australia likes to say that, “an asphalt plant can be likened to the kitchen, with the plant operator like the chef, the customer like the restaurant, and the mix design engineer the dietician”.

With all this in mind, Ciber plant designers listen to the customers future requirements and continually add technology to meet the

needs of the most modern recipes.

These can often have tight specifications, to ensure the operator can produce a perfectly repeatable product in the most efficient and environmentally sustainable manner possible.

Industry-changing upgrades to the plant include continual moisture monitoring, an industry challenge that has in the past pushed many producers away from simple but complex to operate continuous asphalt plants. The Ciber technology measures the moisture of the quarry rock being fed to the dryer on a continuous basis, previously done

TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT

Ciber’s iNova 2000 asphalt plant has an output of up to 200 tonnes per hour of high-quality hot mix.

daily by the lab technician.

The intelligent Ciber technology takes real-time moisture readings, not only loader bucket by loader bucket, but also second by second. The new touchscreen computer system uses this new intelligent information to make intuitive predictive adjustments in advance, rather than just being reactive.

Stuart Torpy, Managing Director of Wirtgen Australia, adds that Ciber’s

“VARIABLE OUTPUTS USING VARIABLE FREQUENCY DRIVE (VFD) TECHNOLOGY CONTINUALLY FINE TUNE THE DRYING PROCESS AND ADJUSTMENT OF THE BURNER, AIR FLOW AND DRUM ROTATION SPEED TO MEET A CONSISTENT DRIED AND TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLED RESULT WITHOUT EFFECTING THE MIXING SPEED.” intelligent technology also supports real-time adjustments.

“Variable outputs using Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) technology continually fine tune the drying process and adjustment of the burner, air flow and drum rotation speed to meet a consistent dried and temperaturecontrolled result without affecting the mixing speed. This also maintains perfectly consistent bitumen and gradation control throughout the adjustable tonnes per hour range, creating a massive sweet spot in efficiency” he says.

There is a further technological advancement added to the pugmill mixer, where the plant monitors the load on the electric drives and can automatically adjust the mix dwell to maintain consistency. This load is also adjustable by the operator depending on the recipe design or additive requirement. This can include RAP (reclaimed asphalt pavement), SMA (stone mastic asphalt) or other requirements.

In the background, the central computer is crunching data to perfectly maintain the temperature of the released air to the atmosphere, which is also due to the Cruise Control technology.

This function produces the best possible efficiency in fuel consumption by automatically controlling the minimum air

temperature that is required to remove the moisture and heat the rock.

Anderson Bastos, Area Sales Manager for Ciber, says saving on fuel consumption can provide significant financial returns over five to ten years for producers.

“This lets the machine pay for itself while saving the environment from unnecessary heating during production,” he says.

“All the customers we have in Australia and New Zealand that have worked with the iNova Series had exceptional results with the plant. Operators identified consistent mix production and lower production costs.”

Wirtgen Group customers come to expect the right performance from any products sold in Australia and New Zealand. This is the same with the iNova Series, where customers deal directly with Wirtgen Australia and Ciber.

That is the reason Ciber continue to evolve and add technology and products to the portfolio when listening to customers, announcing the release of the brand-new rapid set-up Mobile Mixed Material Storage System STA 50P. This will give the customers who requested this device the advantage to provide 50 tonnes of covered surge capacity, or store mix in the heated and insulated bin ready for dispatch even when the plant is not running. roadsonline.com.au

49

SAFETY’S BACK IN FASHION

WITH SHAMIR

Eyres’ 150 Bercy comes in three different arm colour variants.

RUSS LONGLAND, COMPANY DIRECTOR PROTECTA-VISION AUSTRALIA, SAYS EYRES’ 150 BERCY GLASSES GIVE USERS A FASHIONABLE OPTIC, WITH EXCELLENT SAFETY PROPERTIES.

S

even years ago, while whippersnipping his backyard, Protecta-Vision Australia Company Director Russ Longland was subject to a near-miss incident.

A stone was flicked into Longland’s eye. He says while the stone only inflicted minimal damage, the incident highlighted the importance of safety protection.

“I cut my eyeball and it really resonated with me. If an eye injury could happen to me doing an everyday chore, then it can happen to anyone who’s involved in construction or industrial work,” he says.

In May that year, Longland purchased Protecta-Vision Australia, a supplier of protective equipment for eyes, hands and feet.

Based in Buderim, Queensland, ProtectaVision Australia has been a distributor of Shamir and Eyres optics for more than 20 years.

Longland says Shamir and Eyres’ “easy on the eye” optics are some of Protecta-Vision Australia’s most popular products.

“Eyres products blend fashion and safety,” he says. “They’ve been very innovative in 50

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developing trend-setting products, while also delivering on safety.

“We only align ourselves with leading brands in the industry.”

THE 150 BERCY For more than five years, Protecta-Vision Australia has been a keen supporter of the 150 Bercy, a flexible, medium impact-rated frame from Shamir.

Popular among the construction and mining industries, the 150 Bercy is manufactured from Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomer, which has high impact resistance and excellent mechanical properties, making the frame more flexible.

The 150 Bercy also has dual-injected, flexible thermo rubber and thermo plastics, providing excellent comfort for the wearer.

A ‘wrap-around style’ gives the wearer extra protection around the side of the eye.

“They’re practically indestructible,” Longland says. “We supply them, but very rarely do we replace them because they hardly break. Our customers have told us that they’ve twisted them, bent them and

even sat on them, but they just don’t break.”

The 150 Bercy has Shamir and Eyres’ signature “fashionable” design. As a result, Longland says that many customers have chosen to wear the optics for safety and leisure.

“They don’t look like safety specs. A lot of people will buy them and wear them on the worksite and as casual sunglasses,” he says.

The 150 Bercy has a host of customisation options. For prescriptions, the frame supports single vision and multifocal lenses.

Wearers have the option to choose from clear, polarised or grey ‘smoke’ tint lenses and there’s three different frame colours.

“For customisation, we offer everything in the Eyres catalogue. If they make it, we supply it,” Longland says.

“For the outdoors, customers tend to pick the smoke lens option. For both leisure and safety, customers go for the polarised option. The 150 Bercy is very versatile, which is why it’s held in high regard by the major construction companies who we deal with nationally.”

SAFETY

ADVANCED LENS TECHNOLOGY As with the wider Shamir’s safety optics range, the 150 Bercy lens contains Polycarbonate.

Originally developed for aerospace applications, Polycarbonate is a light weight and impact-resistant material, which offers 100 per cent UV protection for wearers.

Shamir eyewear is also tested to assess the safety properties of each model. As medium impact optics, Shamir eyewear can withstand impacts of up to 45 metres per second, or 162 kilometres per hour.

All frames within Shamir’s collection satisfy quality requirements for prescription safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.6) and for nonprescription safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.1).

When it comes to eye safety, Longland says Protecta-Vision Australia has built a reputation as a supplier of high-quality products. Which is why he backs Shamir and Eyres eyewear.

“If people are putting their eyes in the firing line, we don’t want to supply an inferior product,” he says.

“Our motto is ‘safety isn’t expensive, it’s priceless’. It’s much cheaper to prevent an injury, as opposed to paying for rehabilitation

The 150 Bercy frame is is a medium impact topic, which can withstand impacts of up to 162 kilometres per hour.

and recovery.”

Longland says the company will continue to lean on the manufacturer’s quality safety optics.

“By the time I had taken over the business there was already an established relationship between Protecta-Vision Australia and Shamir and Eyres. As soon as they launch new

products we embrace them, because we want our customers to have the latest models,” Longland says.

“Eyres are renowned for offering fashionable safety glasses and are always looking to add new frames to their range. The Eyres range has something for everyone, and they’re built to last.”

JCB BACKHOES THE WORLD’S NUMBER ONE BACKHOE LOADER MANUFACTURER INTRODUCING THE NEW STAGE V JCB SITEMASTER • • • • • • •

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JCB’s iconic backhoe loader is as fresh and innovative today as when it was first conceived over 60 years ago. Since the invention of the backhoe by JCB in 1953 it has undergone continual innovations, pushing the boundaries and providing real solutions to meet customer needs.

A large part of JCB’s success is that we’ve listened to what our customers want, and we’re always striving to produce the most productive, reliable and efficient machines on the market. In tough market conditions, we take the time to understand what’s important to customers and how we can make a difference to your success through features that ensure versatility, offer positive residuals, fuel efficiency and low cost of ownership.

For more information on the range of JCB backhoe loaders please contact your local dealer www.jcbcea.com.au or call 1300 522 232.

CITYWIDE ON KEEPING MELBOURNE WORLD-CLASS

HOW CITYWIDE SERVICE SOLUTIONS IS USING AI TECHNOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES ON MELBOURNE’S PAVEMENTS, FOOTPATHS AND BIKE LANES TO HELP REINVIGORATE THE CITY POST COVID.

Artificial Intelligence is allowing Citywide to identify defects that require attention.

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or a dynamic city like Melbourne, continuing to rank as one of the world’s top cities does not come without effort.

Melbourne broke a record in 2017 when it became the first to be declared ‘the world’s most liveable city’ by the Economist Intelligence Unit for seven consecutive years – a position it has since given up, while remaining on the top ten list.

But what goes behind keeping the city world-class?

Citywide Service Solutions has been looking after the management of traffic, waste, arboriculture and civil infrastructure services for various local councils in Melbourne for decades.

Leigh Goullet, Operations Manager for 52

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Citywide’s City of Melbourne Infrastructure Services contract, says it requires intimate knowledge of the city, a solid and trusting partnership with the customer and a shared passion to make the city better.

Having rolled out a range of innovative and sustainable practices across the city in recent years, Citywide’s Melbourne civil infrastructure team is now taking its services to a new level by adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technology to improve how it maintains pavements, footpaths, kerbs, and drainage systems.

The team is piloting the use of its fleet of vehicles, including garbage trucks and e-cargo bikes, equipped with AI-enabled surveillance cameras, to capture road and

footpath defects – with the result being faster fixes, safer roads and increased community satisfaction.

Goullet says the technology provides an extra pairs of eyes to identify defects such as crocodile cracking on roads, broken pavements, overgrown trees, graffiti, or any other eyesore on their path that requires immediate attention.

“The beauty of it,” he says, “is that we don’t need to allocate extra resources to capture these defects. Our vehicles navigate the same areas multiple times per day, so the data we collect is very clean. It’s also a richer data set than we could get with a single pass of an intelligence surveillance vehicle or an individual, so it makes sure that we don’t miss any defects.”

INFRASTRUCTURE IN FOCUS – CITYWIDE

The technology has been on trial for only a few months and Citywide is currently running it on garbage trucks and electric cargo bikes.

Though relatively new, Goullet says the trial’s implications for Citywide’s operations are extensive.

“By using a phone camera securely mounted on the dashboard of any vehicle, we can capture high-resolution images in rich detail.

Eventually, we could use every vehicle in our fleet, from tree trucks to chipper trucks, and even elevated work platforms already in operation across the city as extra eyes on the road, picking up all types of defects,” he says.

Through integration with workflow processes used by Citywide as the contractor and its customer – in this case, the City of Melbourne Council – the intelligent system can also generate automated work orders and auto-schedule crews to complete the jobs in order of priority.

“We are also looking to customise the tool to be used across a number of our contracts, from tree management to asset management, with certain variations. The goal is to improve safety for Melbourne residents by picking up and addressing defects before the assets degrade too much,” says Goullet.

GOING BIG ON SUSTAINABILITY The latest trial from Citywide adds to a range of innovations the company has been engaged with in recent years across the City of Melbourne.

Citywide is piloting the use of artificial intelligence in parts of its vehicle fleet. .

Since 2018, Citywide has been adopting the use of e-bikes from Good Cycles social enterprise to provide various nimble services across the inner suburbs of Melbourne, leading to minimised road trips, reduced vehicle congestion and fewer carbon emissions.

As part of the arrangement, riders hired by Good Cycles from among disadvantaged and at-risk youth, provide maintenance services, such as collecting and disposing e-waste and organic food waste from residents,

“BY USING A PHONE CAMERA SECURELY MOUNTED ON THE DASHBOARD OF ANY VEHICLE, WE CAN CAPTURE HIGH-RESOLUTION IMAGES IN RICH DETAIL.”

Leigh Goullet, Citywide Operations Manager.

inspecting and maintaining solar bins, and reporting on road and footpath defects.

In another initiative aimed at promoting the circular economy, late last year Citywide unveiled a world-class glass recycling plant at its West Melbourne site capable of cleaning glass from co-mingled bins. The new plant would be able to recycle challenging glass loads that could not be treated by other plants due to their small particle size or contamination with plastics or paper.

The high-quality, manufactured glass sand is now being used in the construction of bicycle lane separators and kerbs in Melbourne. Recycled glass is also used by the Citywide Asphalt Group in the production of its suite of GreenPave recycled asphalt products.

Goullet says these and other such initiatives are all part of Citywide’s efforts to contribute to the circular economy.

“Having our Resource Recovery and Waste Transfer Station in West Melbourne located in close proximity to the city makes it a valuable innovation hub to trial new and emerging technologies in a timely manner,” he observes.

Goullet says Citywide is also currently undergoing a digital transformation, aiming to make its internal processes more efficient through automation.

“It’s all about tidying and streamlining our operations, leading to real practical outcomes for our clients,” Goullet says.

“Across all traditional heavy industries, key players are now paddling tech solutions. We at Citywide are very much part of that.”

As Melbourne gears up to recover from nearly two years of recurring COVID lockdowns, which saw a hit to its global liveability ranking, Goullet says Citywide is proud to play its part in reinvigorating the city.

“By virtue of our heritage, being established by the City of Melbourne nearly three decades ago, we know how this city’s wheels turn. Melbourne is in our DNA. So being able to trial these amazing technologies and forging partnerships to make Melbourne an even better place to live is a point of pride for us at Citywide,” he says.

“We feel very fortunate to be in this position, to be able to roll out sustainability initiatives that help reactivate the city post COVID and keep it moving.” roadsonline.com.au

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SHAPING THE FUTURE

OF MOVEMENT

ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE TALKS TO AUSTRALIAN ROAD RESEARCH BOARD CEO MICHAEL CALTABIANO ABOUT THE ORGANISATION’S ROLE AND FUTURE AGENDA FOR GUIDING THE MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORT SECTOR IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND.

T

he past five years have been exciting for the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB). During this period, the organisation has worked alongside state transport agencies, the Commonwealth and local governments to develop new knowledge, innovation, standards and specifications for the transport sector.

As ARRB CEO Michael Caltabiano reveals, the period was also significant for the organisation as it re-structured internally into five separate business portals. These were Sustainable Materials Performance; Safer, Smarter Infrastructure; Asset Performance; Mobility Futures; and Infrastructure Measurement.

“We have deep global skills across each of these portals, through which we can guide the private and the government sectors,” says Caltabiano. “With an established network of offices in every mainland state in Australia, including a world-class materials testing facility in Melbourne, we have built the foundation to properly serve the transport sector across roads, rail, ports and airports.”

ARRB’S LATEST TRANSPORT INITIATIVES Through its Sustainable Materials Performance Group, the ARRB team has been looking at next generation materials for use in infrastructure projects. The team has been instrumental in developing standards for state transport agencies and the Commonwealth Government in areas such as use of crumb rubber in bitumen, crushed glass and crushed concrete in pavements, incorporating waste plastics in bitumen, as well as recycled plastic noise walls and other related infrastructure.

The group is also launching a new Sustainability Assessment Tool (SAT) in collaboration with the Western Australian Road Research and Innovation Program (WARRIP) – an initiative between Main Roads Western Australia and ARRB, and the National Asset Centre of Excellence (NACOE)

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– an initiative between the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads and ARRB. Using the SAT, the government agencies and private sector contractors can calculate lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions and cost benefits for a broad range of innovative road pavement designs and rehabilitation treatments across the entire road infrastructure.

ARRB’s Safer, Smarter Infrastructure Group is focused on designing next generation pavements. Initiatives undertaken by this group in recent years have led to the incorporation of Enrobés à Module Elevé Class 2 (EME2) bitumen technology into new motorway pavement designs in Queensland and Western Australia.

ARRB’s Safer, Smarter Infrastructure team has also recently introduced NetRisk2, a webbased tool that, for the first time, combines both the Australian Road Assessment

team within this group is helping extend the life of Australia’s existing fleet of nearly 52,000 bridges, a majority of which were built in the 1960s and nearing the end of their lives.

The Mobility Futures team at ARRB is responsible for setting the standards and specifications to enable a connected and automated transport future. Led by Principal Technology Leader Dr Charles A. Karl and working with a global team of experts, the group has been providing insights on futureproofing transport infrastructure.

The Mobility Futures team also oversees ARRB’s data hub, where it stores millions of files and hundreds of terabytes of data to facilitate easier decision-making for state transport agencies.

The fifth team within ARRB is dedicated to Infrastructure Measurement. This is the group that gathers insight into the performance of infrastructure, including road, rail, ports and airports, for use by other ARRB divisions and

“WE WILL ALSO HAVE A ROLE IN WHICH VEHICLES CAN BE USED, THE IMPACT OF NEW DRIVETRAINS AND HOW OUR INFRASTRUCTURE PLATFORMS ARE ENABLING AN ELECTRIC FUTURE OR A HYDROGEN FUTURE OR BOTH. THE ZERO EMISSIONS SPACE IS IMPORTANT FOR US AND EACH ONE OF ARRB’S FIVE GROUPS IS WORKING TOWARDS THAT IN THEIR OWN WAY.” Program (AusRAP) and the Australian National Risk Assessment Model (ANRAM) of risk assessments into a single cloud-based software tool. This is an engineering tool that enables the user to enhance the star rating of a road through a suite of infrastructure changes like road widening, wide centre line, or removal of roadside vegetation to keep people safe.

ARRB’s Asset Performance team is engaging the industry to help increase infrastructure asset lives and optimise capital expenditure in major infrastructure projects. The Bridges

external stakeholders.

Tools such as ARRB’s Intelligent Pavement Assessment Vehicle (iPAVe), which is changing the way local government authorities and road agencies manage their road assets, comes under this working group. This technology is now being adopted by almost all states and territories in Australia, and even in New Zealand.

EXPANDING TO OTHER MODES OF TRANSPORT The past five years were significant for ARRB

INFRASTRUCTURE IN FOCUS – ROAD RESEARCH

to grow and develop deep skills in new areas.

Caltabiano says the next five are going to be even more so. The organisation has an agenda to play a broader role in shaping the future of mobility in Australia and New Zealand, expanding its knowledge transfer across all modes of transport including roads, rail, ports and airports.

ARRB recently developed the National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) in response to the shift towards multi-modality in transport policy and operations, with a goal of building a more resilient transport future.

In February this year, ARRB established a new office in Canberra, where it aims to spearhead its activities in the rail sector, partnering with the Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation (ACRI).

The partnership with ACRI means NTRO already has a client base that features names such as the Australian Rail Track Corporation.

ACRI’s existing contracts and relationships with universities and the industry means NTRO will be actively engaged to provide expertise for the rail sector.

Caltabiano says the industry knowledge will build on the existing skillset of ARRB’s 250 staff members, while also borrowing from a global network of research laboratories that have been built up over ARRB’s 62-year history.

“The beauty of the merger of the entities to create NTRO is that we are now one of seven global research laboratories, partnering with similar laboratories in England, France, Germany, Sweden, China and the United States. We’ll be able to bring back the learnings across the transport sector from those countries to Australia,” he says.

He also notes how ARRB’s existing expertise in roads can be expanded to other transport sectors.

“Railway lines and roads both have embankments. Within rail infrastructure, access tracks, car parks, and everything below rail are very similar to the road environment.

The only difference is in the loading arrangement,” he says. “Our skillsets in asset management and infrastructure performance, construction, mobility futures and driverless vehicles will allow NTRO Rail to spearhead the innovation space in Australia. We’ve been very good in the road sector. We now need to be very good in the rail, ports and airports sectors.”

CURRENT AND FUTURE PRIORITIES Going forward, Caltabiano says the ARRB will prioritise initiatives that contribute to a net zero vision for greenhouse gas emissions from

Michael Caltabiano, CEO, Australian Road Research Board.

the transport sector.

“Transport represents 30 to 35 per cent of total emissions in this country. We have a role to play in measuring infrastructure construction and use emissions, with tools such as SAT, and then assisting governments to make transport journeys smoother and more sustainable to reduce emissions,” he says.

“We will also have a role in which vehicles can be used, the impact of new drivetrains and how our infrastructure platforms are enabling an electric future or a hydrogen future or both. The zero emissions space is important for us and each one of ARRB’s five groups is working towards that in their own way.”

Extending the life of existing infrastructure assets is another key focus for ARRB during the next five years, Caltabiano says.

“We have a mature asset environment in Australia, both across road and rail. So, while we are not looking at building new major highways across the country, the second big tranche that ARRB is looking at is how do we

enhance the use of existing assets? How do we make the user journey better, smarter and more efficient? What’s the technology overlay of our highway system and how do we enable future vehicles to use it?”

With that twin focus and a strong structure in place, Caltabiano says ARRB, through the NTRO, is set to play its role in shaping the future of mobility in Australia and New Zealand.

“Transport agencies, governments and the private sector across Australia are asking ‘How are we applying the best technology in each of the transport modes? How should they interrelate?’ We are saying: engage us on this journey and we will source solutions to your problems, not just through our own skillsets, but relying on the Australian university skillsets, our global commercial partners and our global university partners,” he says.

“NTRO is an innovation portal through which the industry and government can get great outcomes. It is the culmination of a five-year journey and sets us up for the next five-year journey to deliver in this space.” roadsonline.com.au

55

A SUSTAINABLE

STRUCTURE THE AUSTRALIAN FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT ASSOCIATION (AFPA) HAS DEVELOPED A FRAMEWORK TO ENCOURAGE THE PRODUCTION OF SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS WITHIN THE INDUSTRY. AFPA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR VICTORIA AND TASMANIA, NORBERT MICHEL, EXPLAINS.

F

or over 50 years, the Australian Flexible Pavement Association (AfPA) has been a unified voice for the flexible pavement industry, leading the way on safety, sustainability and innovation.

Norbert Michel, AfPA National Sustainability Director and Executive Director VIC/TAS.

AfPA’s Sustainability Committee continues to promote the use of environmentally friendly methods, as well as a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Its latest development is set to push the envelope even further.

Over four years ago, discussions between AfPA and state road authorities planted the seed for what would become the association’s first Sustainability Framework for Asphalt.

AfPA Executive Director for Victoria and Tasmania, Norbert Michel, says the idea for such a framework was in some ways born out of necessity.

“We asked ourselves: if we wanted to assess sustainability across the industry, what would it look like? And what would we include?” he says.

The Sustainability Framework for Asphalt (SF4A) enables government agencies and businesses within the industry to define best practice

for asphalt production and embed sustainability metrics into procurement.

It’s designed to help asphalt procurers to select organisations who demonstrate sustainable production.

Michel says the SF4A was developed internally, with key members and associations being consulted, to ensure it reflected the desires and needs of the flexible pavement industry.

“There wasn’t a developed framework which could be used to compare businesses for sustainable asphalt production,” he says. “It was important to have insight from the industry, as operators are the ones who’ll be judged by the framework.”

ADOPTING THE FRAMEWORK The SF4A has been developed to be implemented by procurement agencies, who can use the framework to set benchmarks for sustainability.

Similar to aspects such as cost and

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The Sustainability Framework for Asphalt allows procurement agencies to embed sustainability metrics.

previous experience, these sustainability targets can indicate a businesses’ suitability for a contract or tender.

Michel says key performance indicators can include energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and the use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP).

“These agencies can continue using their current processes for tender evaluation.

Sustainability is just another metric that could be weighted as part of the process,” he says.

Asphalt producers can also use the SF4A to assess their own business practices.

“These organisations have the opportunity to evaluate their own progress in pursuit of becoming more sustainable operators. They can identify areas of the business which may require growth or investment,” Michel says.

“This may be for increased capacity, capability or upgrades to plants, which may give them a commercial edge. It can differentiate a company from others during

“SUSTAINABLE AND RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTION IS NOW A MAJOR FACTOR IN CONTRACT TENDERING.” the tendering process.”

As Michel adds, an increasing number of project contracts are mandating the inclusion of sustainable materials.

“Clients still want to know that they’re purchasing from suppliers who have expertise and quality products. Sustainable and responsible production is now a major factor in contract tendering,” he says.

LONG-TERM VIEW Michel says the AfPA is now talking to state road authorities nationally, who are contemplating using the framework within their assessment structures.

He is hoping the SF4A will form an integral part of the industry’s efforts to contribute to Australia’s emission reduction targets. The SF4A also reflects the United Nation’s Sustainability

Development goals.

“We’re working on releasing a position statement to the industry to outline how we will achieve these 2030 and 2050 goals.

The framework will be an underpinning tool, which will help us to achieve the goals we set as an industry,” Michel says.

“As an industry, we are recognising that the achievement of these goals cannot be led purely by our majority members. They have an impact, but it’s the sustainable improvements from the collective that really count.”

AfPA is aiming for the SF4A to be embedded in state and local government procurement agencies across the country, with hopes of embedding it in pilot contracts later this year.

To learn more about the framework, visit: www.afpa.asn.au roadsonline.com.au

57

AUSTRALIAN FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT ASSOCIATION

2022 Industry Awards

Registrations Open https://www.afpa.asn.au/events

Proud Dinner Sponsors

Limited Award and Dinner Sponsorship opportunities are still available https://bit.ly/3sdDS8x

AfPA

MEMBER PROFILE

SAM VASILIADIS, GENERAL MANAGER METRO ASPHALT, SHARES SOME INSIGHTS FROM HIS EXPERIENCE IN THE PAVEMENT INDUSTRY WITH ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE. HOW LONG HAVE YOU/YOUR COMPANY BEEN AN AFPA MEMBER AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME ONE? Metro Asphalt Pty Ltd became an active member of AfPA in July 2021. As a leading provider in road construction and road surfacing sector, we felt it was important to actively participate with other organisations in the sector through the industry peak body.

HOW DID YOU START YOUR CAREER IN THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY? Whilst my career in the road construction industry spans over 35 years, its inception was purely accidental. My first job was as a lab technician at a CSR Readymix. Initially the intent was to earn some extra money while on holiday from university and the rest is history.

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE? As General Manager of Metro Asphalt Surfacing Division, I am responsible for the delivery of operations on a day-to-day basis in line with current and future business goals.

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CURRENT ROLE? One thing I find most enjoyable about my current role is that I get to challenge myself daily and be across all parts of the business, rather than having a single focus. Also being part of a senior management team gives me the opportunity to collaborate with other team members in develop the future goals and direction of the business.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN THE INDUSTRY? I would say my biggest achievement in the industry are the long-standing relationships that I have built and maintained with clients, suppliers, authorities and fellow team members, both past and present. These relationships that have been fundamentally built on the principles of trust and respect,

Sam Vasiliadis, General Manager Metro Asphalt.

many of which span over 35 years. This is something that I am particularly proud.

WHAT IS A RECENT CHANGE YOU HAVE SEEN IN THE INDUSTRY AND HOW ARE YOU/THE COMPANY PREPARED FOR THAT? From my experience, our industry is always changing. Some of the more significant changes I have seen in the industry over the last 10 years is the increased focus on inclusion, diversity, increased industry female participation and sustainability. All of which are great initiatives. I am pleased to say that I have been part of a process where the business now employs a female CFO, crew members of Indigenous background and crew members who have high barriers to entry for employment. The business has a strong focus on sustainability and promotes the use of high recycled content on all its projects. The businesses focus on sustainability was recently cemented as a co-founder of Repurpose It. Repurpose It is a recycling business that takes waste from the construction sector and turns into products that are then used back into our projects.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOST INTERESTING ABOUT THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY? Along with the people you meet, the most

interesting thing about our industry is that we work in an environment where nothing is infinite and infrastructure needs are perpetually changing. No two projects are ever the same, which means you are always working in a learning environment which creates collaboration opportunities with fellow team members and external stakeholders.

HOW HAS BEING A MEMBER OF AFPA BENEFITTED YOU IN THE INDUSTRY? Being an AfPA member provides the business with several benefits. Having a recognised body which can provide training, technical publications and opportunities for networking is important for our business as it ensures that our practices and knowledge are up to date, current and consistent with industry expectations.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? My future goal is to build on our longstanding reputation in the industry by creating an environment where our people want to come to work on a daily basis and be part of a personal development culture that values diversity, inclusion, sustainability, greater female participation and respect for all people. roadsonline.com.au

59

LESSONS FROM A

MASTER PRECASTER

CIVILSMART CEO DREW SPIDEN TALKS TO ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE ABOUT THE COMPANY’S JOURNEY IN THE PRECASTING INDUSTRY. How long have you been a precaster and how did the journey begin for your company?

Civilmart is 100 per cent Australian owned company and has a long history of manufacturing in Australia for more than 100 years. The most notable is with Rocla, manufacturing precast concrete products since 1920. Civilmart since its establishment in the last decade has acquired over nine recognised precast concrete brands, with a combined precasting experience of 694 years to become a market-leading precast supplier in Australia.

Can you briefly describe your company’s current workforce and technical capabilities?

Civilmart has over 700 employees nationally with expertise in casting, product design, materials technology, quality assurance, safety, procurement and logistics.

What has been your biggest or most interesting precasting project to date?

Large and interesting projects are Civilmart’s

Civilsmart supplied innovative geopolymer precast pedestrian bridges to Geelong City Council in 2021.

Civilsmart helped to create a precast alternative to conventional rock walls, as part of Adelaide’s seawall.

hallmark, which is why it’s difficult to single one out. A showcase project with links to the current topic of climate change was the Adelaide seawall. Civilmart supplied a cost-effective and efficient solution with timely delivery for the creation of a precast alternative to a rock wall to withstand storm events and projected sea level rise.

Another was the supply of the innovative geopolymer precast pedestrian bridges to Geelong City Council in 2021, in conjunction with Austeng, which was a significant milestone for our business. This was also the first precast geopolymer bridge supplied in Australia. Research and development of cement replacement materials for geopolymer precast is important to us. Rocla is one of the world leaders in large-scale commercial quantity precast geopolymer product supply, which underpins our continued growth to carbon neutral supply.

How long have you been a National Precast member and why did you decide to become one?

Civilmart joined the NPCAA (National Precast Concrete Association Australia) in 2021 through its acquisition of Rocla, a long-standing member of the association. The NPCAA brings value to our business in the form of industry collaboration, specification harmonisation focus, advocacy to major specifiers and government bodies, insights into OH&S and industry trends.

What do you like most about the precast industry?

The characters and their commitment to the industry is a great strength. Innovation is at the heart of the industry, with continued opportunity to provide unique, material efficient, energy-efficient, costeffective and value-added solutions to our broad customer base.

Where do you see the precast industry heading in the next few years?

Growth! Core to precast in 2022 and beyond is innovation, sustainability and minimisation of the use of valuable resources that precasting affords the industry, compared to in-situ concrete and alternative materials. Adoption of automation will continue to escalate, combined with more efficient use of materials, reduced cartage distance and cost, to increase the use of precast.

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ROADS JUNE 2022

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& INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDES AN UPDATE ON SOME OF THE MAJOR ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDES AN UPDATE ON SOME OF THE CONTRACTS CONTRACTS AND TENDERS AWARDED OR PUT TO MARKET ACROSS THE AUSTRALIAN AND TENDERS RECENTLY AWARDED OR PUT TO MARKET ACROSS THE AUSTRALIAN INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR IN 2020.

INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR.

NEW SOUTH WALES Fulton Hogan awarded contract for largest ever Newell Highway upgrade The contract for the largest-ever heavy-duty pavement upgrade of the Newell Highway, between Narrabri and Moree in New South Wales, has now been awarded by the State Government. Fulton Hogan has been selected through a tender process to carry out 27.3 kilometres of heavy-duty pavement upgrades along four priority sections of road. Works will also include intersection improvements, widening of road shoulders and the provision of five additional overtaking lanes on the highway.

The heavy-duty pavement upgrade works will aim to improve the travel reliability, safety, flood immunity and freight productivity of the connection. Work on the upgrades are expected to commence in June 2022 and be completed in late 2025. The works are expected to create around 640 jobs during construction.

Seymour Whyte to deliver Sydney’s new M12 Motorway Seymour Whyte has been selected by the NSW Government to deliver the central section of Sydney’s M12 Motorway as part of the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan (WSIP) road investment program. Seymour Whyte will deliver a 7.5-kilometre section of the motorway’s central package of works, between Badgerys Creek and Duff Road, Cecil Hills, including local access roads. Seymour Whyte will build the central section of the M12 between Cecil Park and Badgerys Creek, while CPB Georgiou Group Joint Venture will deliver the western section to The Northern Road, which includes the airport interchange and Elizabeth Drive flyover. The scope of works for the central section includes bridgeworks, earthworks, pavements, property adjustments, and landscaping. Work on the M12 Motorway is expected to start in mid 2022 and will be completed before the Western Sydney International Airport opens in 2026. More than 52,000 vehicles a day are expected to use the new motorway.

Georgiou awarded Spring Farm Parkway contract Georgiou Group has been awarded the contract for the $78 million Spring Farm Parkway stage 62

ROADS JUNE 2022

one project by Transport for New South Wales. Spring Farm Parkway at Menangle Park will provide a connection between Camden Bypass, the Hume Motorway and Menangle Road, to provide an east-west link that services existing and future residential land releases and supports the Greater Macarthur Growth Area. It will also provide safe and efficient access to and from the Hume Motorway, improved travel time reliability and efficiency for road users, and deliver a safe and effective crossing for pedestrians and cyclists over the Hume Motorway to Broughton Anglican College. Construction, which will see around 150 personnel employed at peak, is set to commence in mid-2022 and will take approximately two years for completion.

GHD-Arcadis joint venture awarded ‘Easing Sydney’s Congestion’ contract GHD and Arcadis, in a joint venture, have been awarded a project delivery partner contract with Transport for New South Wales to deliver the next phase of the Easing Sydney’s Congestion (ESC) program. The ESC program will deliver targeted improvements across Sydney’s Road network, with a focus on reducing congestion through intersection improvements, smart technology, and assisting program delivery across Sydney. Key initiatives under the ESC program include the delivery of the M4 Smart Motorway, the Parramatta Congestion Improvement Program and accelerated Pinch Point and Clearways Programs. Each of these projects will reduce congestion and traffic delays in local governments areas. Over the next five years the joint venture will provide design and technical services to address some of Sydney’s biggest traffic issues.

VICTORIA $1.2B contract awarded for VIC’s Next Generation Trams Bombardier Transportation Australia has been awarded a framework contract to design, build, and maintain 100 new and accessible trams as part of the Victorian Government’s $1.85 billion Next Generation Trams Project. The project will support local jobs in manufacturing, the supply chain, and the construction of a new purpose-built depot and maintenance facility.

Bombardier Transportation Australia (recently acquired by Alstom) will undertake 15 years of maintenance as part of the approximately $1.2 billion contract.

The Next Generation Tram order will progressively replace some of Melbourne’s longest-serving high-floor trams to improve the accessibility of the public transport network. As a part of the Next Generation Trams Project, a new tram maintenance and stabling facility is being developed in Melbourne’s west. Early works on the tram maintenance facility are expected to start in 2023, subject to planning and heritage approvals. The tram design is expected to be finalised in 2023, following engagement with technical, accessibility, passenger, and driver representatives to refine the proposed design. The first vehicles are anticipated to be in service from 2025.

CPB and Downer joint venture awarded Defence redevelopment contract CIMIC Group’s CPB Contractors and Downer have been selected by the Australian Government’s Department of Defence to deliver the Planning Phase of the Australian Defence Force’s proposed Riverina Redevelopment Program in Victoria and New South Wales. The proposed Riverina Redevelopment Program involves the delivery of new or upgraded accommodation; upgrades to training facilities; consolidating and upgrading communal facilities; remediation works and upgrades to infrastructure services.

The Planning Phase of the proposed Riverina Redevelopment Program will be delivered in a 50:50 joint venture between CPB Contractors and Downer.

The program spans New South Wales and Victoria and incorporates three projects: the RAAF Base Wagga Redevelopment, the Albury-Wodonga Military Area Redevelopment and the Kapooka Military Area Redevelopment. The project will generate revenue of $30 million each for CPB Contractors and Downer. The planning phase will commence this year and is scheduled to be completed in late 2023.

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