There is no question that HS2 is the biggest construction project in the UK, including 32 miles of tunnels, 50 major viaducts, including 11 viaducts just for the delta junction north of Interchange station. In the midst of all this activity, it is easy to overlook the fact that most of these sites would be deemed major construction projects individually. But, once complete, HS2 will be the UK’s new low-carbon, high-speed rail project connecting London to the Midlands.
Specialist Support
An innovative workforce management solution developed by Trimble and Totalmobile to support the ongoing project has been developed for the project’s civil engineering joint venture Eiffage Kier Ferrovial BAM (EKFB).
EKFB is a joint venture between major civil engineering and construction companies: Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and BAM Nuttall. It was appointed by HS2 to deliver civil engineering works across an 80 kilometre section of the new high-speed rail link between the Chiltern Tunnel and Long Itchington. The section will include 15 viaducts, 6.9 kilometres of green tunnels, 22 kilometres of road diversions, 81 bridges and around 30 million cubic metres of excavation.
In order to support the ongoing project, the solution developed by Trimble and Totalmobile is capable of planning routes, automatically factoring in capacity and geographical restrictions, tracking the location of drivers in real-time, and alerting fleet managers if a driver diverts from the permitted route.
Innovative Solutions
A first of its kind, the cloud-based solution provides EKFB with immediate oversight of the progress of thousands of trucks each day via a single dashboard, including detailed information on loads, collections and completed deliveries. The software’s powerful reporting and evaluation capabilities will allow EKFB to provide near real-time updates to HS2 Ltd, helping prevent potential delays and support contractor compliance while maximising value for the public purse.
The system combines Totalmobile’s Mobilise mobile workforce management application with Trimble’s platform of commercial mapping, routing, navigation and location APIs. By leveraging Trimble’s high-quality map visuals, route planning and execution cloud software, EKFB fleet managers are able to plan routes that automatically factor strict capacity and routing compliance requirements determined by HS2. Additionally, the software allows the company to track vehicles travelling to and from construction sites in real time, minimising disruption to neighbouring towns and villages.
Clear Communication
EKFB’s subcontractors’ drivers have also been provided with Totalmobile’s Mobilise app integrated with Trimble’s CoPilot truck-specific satellite navigation application. This allows EKFB to communicate directly with each delivery vehicle, based on live data feeds and potential route deviation alerts from the system.
“Our collaboration with Trimble has combined our best-of-breed software to deliver a revolutionary system that will provide the levels of performance and compliance monitoring that is essential for major infrastructure projects,” commented Jim Darragh, CEO at Totalmobile.
“This system is the first of its kind in the market and a real game-changer. It will provide a complete overview, strong management tools and real-time reporting capabilities for complex multi-haulier logistics. We take real pride in working with EKFB to support the delivery of the UK’s largest infrastructure project. The work highlights the growing presence of Totalmobile software on major construction projects such as HS2 and Hinkley Point.”
Chris Quin, VP Trimble added: “We understand that our customers in the construction industry are faced with complicated transport requirements. Leveraging our strength in building solutions that are designed to support the unique needs of commercial vehicles operating on and off the construction site, we’ve developed a system with Totalmobile that continues to provide highly precise routing and guidance for workers to and from the service point on the site, down to the last mile. The solution will continue to help minimise disruption to communities within the HS2 project area while ensuring EKFB meets its contractual obligations and responsibilities.
“This continues to be an exciting collaboration for Trimble and Totalmobile to support EKFB by delivering technology that is focused on improving efficiency, compliance, and most importantly, driver safety to and at the site during the construction of HS2.”
