Automation in Transportation System Construction and Maintenance

摘要

Automation in transportation system construction and maintenance operations hasbeen advancing at an accelerated pace in the past two decades. Examples include automated asphalt paving and man-machine balanced road compacting being developed in Japan and Europe; automated earth moving and off-road haul systems being developed by major U.S. equipment manufacturers; and more experimental prototypes being developed in U.S. university laboratories. Automated construction equipment is beginning to enjoy commercial success. Controls for the equipment are becoming similar to video games with ergonomic joysticks, graphical interfaces, and sensory alarms. Furthermore, the GPS, the Internet, and wireless technology enhance the situational awareness of the operator while controlling the remote equipment within various features and obstacles of the worksite. The main objective of this Circular is to provide a summary of emerging technologies for automated transportation system construction and maintenance.