Gavin Jenkins

2 weeks ago | roadsbridges.com | Gavin Jenkins

By Gavin Jenkins, Senior Managing EditorMUNICH — Digital twins create real-time models of road systems that include physical data and environmental factors. Artificial intelligence (AI) helps analyze that data, predict outcomes, optimize schedules, budgets, and improve safety. Simply put: Digital twins and AI are transforming the management of road and bridge construction. Cloud-based tools streamline project workflows and communication between teams.

2 weeks ago | roadsbridges.com | Gavin Jenkins

By Gavin Jenkins, Senior Managing EditorMUNICH — Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to transform the roads and bridges construction industry. This technology could be used to enhance training and safety, while also improving design and collaboration. This week, at the 34th edition of Bauma, attendees can see what it’s like to visit a construction site virtually in the VR Experience Zone, which is held in the Innovation Hall in Munich’s Neue Messe München exhibition center.

2 weeks ago | roadsbridges.com | Gavin Jenkins

By Gavin Jenkins, Senior Managing EditorMUNICH — At most construction equipment trade shows, manufacturers feature simulators in their booths. It seems impossible to attend a show and miss them. They always have a line of people waiting to sit in the chair and simulate operating heavy machine equipment. Bauma attendees who visit the BOMAG booth in the outdoor lot of the Neue Messe München exhibition center might think they are approaching another simulator. But this is no simulation.

2 weeks ago | roadsbridges.com | Gavin Jenkins

By Gavin Jenkins, Senior Managing EditorMUNICH — Bauma is a beast. Hailed as the world’s leading trade fair for construction machinery, building material machines, mining machines, construction vehicles and construction equipment, Bauma kicked off in the Neue Messe München exhibition center on Monday. Held every three years and organized by Messe München, Baum features 200,000 square meters of hall space, 414,000 square meters of outdoor space and more than 3,500 exhibitors from 57 countries.

2 weeks ago | roadsbridges.com | Gavin Jenkins

By Gavin Jenkins, Senior Managing EditorI have four core beliefs about roadway safety. The first two are problems: Most people are bad drivers who won’t improve, and America’s aging infrastructure can’t handle the size and weight of the traffic on its roads and bridges. The next two are solutions: Every major urban area — close to 100 cities — should have a metro system. And, not only should we have high-speed rail connecting the country, but it should be the envy of the world.