Tarmac roll out cutting-edge logistics planning system
Company becomes the first in the UK to adopt BPO Asphalt software to help boost productivity
TARMAC have become the first in the UK to adopt cutting-edge planning and real-time software technology to optimize road construction logistics and help boost productivity.
The innovative BPO Asphalt software – developed by Volz Consulting GmbH – allows Tarmac’s contracting team to plan highways schemes and inner-city projects in meticulous detail ahead of work starting on site.
Utilizing GPS data to highlight the full project area, including site entrances and exits for delivery vehicles, the software uses inputted surface area values to produce fully optimized planning documents and work schedules for people, plant and resources; reducing waiting times and delays while maintaining efficient project delivery.
Based on the site’s parameters and project requirements, the innovative software automatically calculates the time needed for mixing and loading asphalt at the plant and the number of wagons required for transportation, as well as the density of material and the maximum volume of asphalt that can be laid per shift.
Paul Fleetham, managing director of Tarmac Contracting, said: ‘Rolling out this innovative software across our contracting business allows our experienced teams to create highly detailed project schedules and further enhances 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 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 transparency across all parties, from asphalt production to haulage and paving teams. This reduces the risk of time overruns that would adversely affect the programme schedule, thereby minimizing disruption to the public.
Tarmac have 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, which was completed earlier this year.
