Topcon Positioning Systems, a leading provider of precision measurement and workflow solutions for the global construction and geospatial markets, presented The California Infrastructure and Technology Summit, Wednesday, May 9, in Pleasanton, CA.
Around the country, infrastructure challenges like road quality, aging bridges, housing challenges and budgetary pressures are daunting but critical to overcome. U.S. infrastructure scored a D+ on the last two report cards from the American Society of Civil Engineers. There have been obvious repercussions as important refurbishments have not been made.
However, relevant industries are responding. Significant advances in the area of construction technology and software solutions are being developed and implemented that, compared with typical processes of the past, are streamlining work processes, automating earthwork and paving machinery — improving life cycle maintenance, while lowering ecological impact.
On Wednesday, May 9 at 11 a.m., a select group of experts presented highlights of new technology that allow for the smarter and faster achievement of infrastructure goals.
- Ray O’Connor, President and CEO of Topcon Positioning Systems, delivered the opening remarks that focused on the impact that technology is having on infrastructure creation and maintenance. His presentation was followed by a panel of experts including:
- Professor Iris Tommelein, Professor of Engineering and Project Management in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at UC Berkeley, on Lean Construction
- Kate Fox Wood, Director of Infrastructure Policy for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), on the direction of infrastructure policy at the federal government level and AEM’s policy-focused thought-leadership initiative, Infrastructure Vision 2050
- Cindy Ng, Director of UAV Marketing for Intel, on drone market technology’s contributions to agriculture and construction
- Sara Hodges, Director of Construction Business Line for Autodesk, on the Building Information Modeling (BIM) portfolio and its effect on the education and commercial sectors
- Brock Grunt, Executive VP of Operations for McGuire & Hester, on building challenges such as the severe pressure on highway construction in California
Attendees were also given a demonstration of the industry’s most innovative technology, getting a hands-on look at positioning, measurement and mapping solutions including earthmoving automation, advance road resurfacing solutions, and new developments in robotic survey and mass data collection.
The California Infrastructure and Technology Summit was held during the Topcon Technology Roadshow, May 8–11, a roving event featuring the latest technological and software advances for the construction and geospatial industries in a hands-on educational environment visiting 28 cities across North America. The free program features live demonstrations and presentations focused on productivity and profitability in an expandable semi-trailer truck with a seated theater room and product showcase.
