A highly sophisticated software system is at the heart of a major boost to productivity and efficiency from contractor Tarmac. The firm is utilising the latest logistics software from Germany to improve its performance.
The company is the first contractor in the UK to employ the BPO ASPHALT software developed by Volz Consulting in Germany. This advanced planning and real-time software technology can be utilised to optimise road construction logistics and boost productivity.
The software allows Tarmac’s contracting team to plan highways schemes and inner-city projects in detail, ahead of work starting on site. Using GPS data to highlight the full project area including site entrances and exits for delivery vehicles, the software uses surface area values to produce fully optimised planning documents and work schedules. These schedules can be for personnel, plant and resources, enabling waiting times and delays to be minimised to maintain efficient project delivery.
Based on the site’s parameters and project requirements, the software automatically calculates the time needed for mixing and loading asphalt at the plant and the number of trucks required for transportation. It can also calculate the density of material and the maximum volume of asphalt that can be laid/shift.
Paul Fleetham, managing director at Tarmac Contracting, said: “Rolling out this innovative software across our Contracting business allows our experienced teams to create highly detailed project schedules and further enhance our strategic planning of material supply, resources and plant.
“It’s vital that we continue to adopt and develop technological innovations on major highways projects to drive efficiencies and identify techniques that can help us save time, step change productivity and embrace lean best practice.”
Teams on the ground are also able to access information in real-time through a mobile app, allowing them to track deliveries, monitor data relating to the quality of the pavement installation and assess the project’s progress minute-by-minute.
The real time data also allows decisions to be made immediately on site with the transparency across all parties, from asphalt production, to haulage and paving teams. This reduces the risk of over run of time that would adversely affect the programme schedule, thereby minimising disruption to the public.
Tarmac has already used the new technology to great effect as part of the renovation of a busy 6.5km stretch of the M62 near Leeds for Highways England, completed earlier this year.
