Millimeter GPS makes for smooth ride

‘The Millimeter GPS™ controls the elevation of the uncompacted asphalt and gives us assurance that we’re maintaining a consistent mat thickness during high production paving.’ – Scott J. Styfco, Myer’s roadway manager
LEFT: Ray Tripp, surveyor for Myers, checks the grade of the uncompacted asphalt on the Turnpike project. Paving the Turnpike was a high-production project; Allan A. Myers averaged 2,500 tons of hot mix per shift. ABOVE RIGHT AND BELOW: Paving day-and-night for widening project.

Continued from page 1

“Last year we had a tendency to lay the material a little bit thicker, to make sure we weren’t going too thin anywhere,” says Styfco. “This year, with Millimeter GPS, we can control the mat thickness better, so we don’t waste any asphalt and we don’t have any cases of insufficient mat thickness.”

This was one of the first applications of a Millimeter GPS system on an asphalt paver, say Topcon officials.

Myers is running 24 trucks to average 2,500 tons per night, up to 4,500 tons per shift. With the plant making about 400 tons of hot mix per hour. The contractor paves at night because that’s when the plant can dedicate itself to the Turnpike project.

There’s another benefit to the Millimeter GPS system. It helps achieve a smooth ride on the asphalt surface.

“Utilizing the Millimeter GPS system on the lower four courses of asphalt contributed to attaining an average IRI (International Roughness Index) of 70 on the binder course this year,” says Jeff Dremel, project engineer.

“The Millimeter GPS system helped achieve a much better quality ride than we got last year using manual control methods.” A recent IRI reading was 62, which is better than the specified number of 70.

 
To read other Topcon At Work stories go to
www.topconatwork.com