Mobile Mapping, Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Data Optimize Road Infrastructure Management

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) saved nearly $7 million in fiscal year 2021-2022 by using mobile mapping and automated machine guidance technology for several projects.

Mobile mapping is transforming geospatial data collection, offering faster, safer, and more cost-effective alternatives to traditional surveying—especially for road condition evaluation and construction. Trimble offers a comprehensive AI-driven road condition evaluation and construction workflow, providing the following benefits to municipalities and transportation departments:

Enhanced Efficiency. Automated data processing reduces the time from data collection to decision-making, enabling quicker responses to maintenance needs.
Improved Safety. Mobile mapping at traffic speeds minimizes the exposure of survey crews to hazardous conditions.
Cost Savings. Automation and efficient data handling reduce labor costs and resource allocation.
Data Accuracy. High-resolution data ensures precise assessments, supporting better infrastructure planning and maintenance.
Seamless Integration. Compatibility with geographic information systems (GIS) platforms such as Esri’s ArcGIS allows for easy incorporation into existing workflows.

Six Phases of Trimble’s Road Infrastructure Workflow:

As cities continue to grow around the world, road construction, maintenance, and inspection are vital to developing and maintaining critical infrastructure. Trimble’s road infrastructure management workflow consists of the following six phases:

Phase 1, Field Data Collection. The MX60 and MX90 capture high-res imagery and LiDAR at highway speeds, eliminating the need for road closures.
Phase 2, Analysis/Feature Extraction. Trimble Business Center (TBC) software uses AI to classify point clouds and extract features efficiently.
Phase 3, Asset Lifecycle Management (ALM). Trimble’s ALM approach is embodied in the Trimble Unity software suite, which leverages Esri's GIS innovations that span the entire lifecycle of infrastructure assets—from planning and design to construction, operation, and maintenance.
Phase 4, Civil Construction and Design. TBC turns field data into detailed 3D models for accurate construction.
Phase 5, Execution. Trimble Earthworks and Trimble Roadworks guide milling and paving with precision.
Phase 6, Maintenance. Post-construction assessments ensure roads meet specifications and stay in top condition.

Return on Investment

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) stated in its Caltrans Facts and SB1 Savings reports that the department saved nearly $7 million in fiscal year 2021-2022 by using mobile mapping and automated machine guidance technology for several projects.

Original article written by Kevin Garcia, General Manager for Civil Specialty Construction at Trimble. Read the full article on informedinfrastructure.com. Caltrans has been a long-standing, valued customer of California Surveying and Drafting Supply (CSDS), a Cansel Group company based in California, and a proud provider of geospatial technology solutions to Caltrans.