With an estimated 900,000km of roadways in the country, Australia’s road system is a critical part of our transport network. As simple as they look, roads are complicated constructions, and delivering a new project requires substantial survey support. Road surveying techniques have evolved in recent years. Drone technology and advanced analytics software is making it simpler and more affordable to build roads that are safe for all types of vehicles. Surveyors are involved in every step of the process, and in this article, we’ll discuss the different types of roadworks surveying and how they deliver results on time and on budget.
1. Land Surveys and Roadway Design
Once an optimal route has been identified, surveyors conduct a detailed survey to identify specific construction requirements. The results of the land survey can have a major impact on things like slopes and grading, as well as the construction methods used to build the road. For instance, areas with unstable ground may require additional grading or footing work before they can be safely used as a roadway.
Land survey data also aids in the decision making process. Simple information such as terrain maps can be used to determine road widths, traffic light placement, how inclines will be managed, bridge and tunnel connections and more. The key challenge here is that many road projects take place over large areas. These detailed land surveys may need to cover dozens or hundreds of kilometres of roadway, which complicates the process.
2. Earthworks Surveys
With the road’s design finalised, a land surveyor will once again assess the site to determine earthworks requirements. Earthworks account for a major part of the expense of building roads. Not only do roadways need to be flattened, many require additional excavation to access stable footing and account for the height of subgrade and subbase courses.
This part of the process calls for volumetric surveying, which many surveyors now perform using drones. LiDAR-equipped drones can take accurate measurements of each section of terrain as part of conducting UAV surveys. This data can be used to create accurate models and determine the amount of earth that will need to be excavated.
3. Grade and Camber Monitoring
Road grading is a critical component of designing and constructing safe roadways. The grade of a road refers to its slope, which is particularly important to vehicle speed and control. Maintaining road grading during construction is a challenging task due to the nature of construction work. As problems arise and plans change, road grading needs to remain consistent, and it’s difficult for teams on the ground to maintain a holistic view of the project. Engineering surveys can measure and monitor the grade and camber of roads during construction. This improves the quality of the final product and ensures motorists are safe while they’re behind the wheel.
4. Materials Staging
Managing materials stockpiles is a major point of inefficiency when building roads. The sheer volume of materials required to construct a road requires a coordinated transport and earthmoving fleet. Effective stockpile management ensures materials are available in the right quantities and locations at all times.
Surveyors can provide volumetric data that allows decision makers to deliver materials at optimal times. This greatly improves the efficiency of construction works and minimises the amount and expense of onsite handling.
5. Construction and Engineering Assessments
Construction projects are dynamic and often require problem solving along the way. Because plans can change, it’s important to confirm the completed roadway meets the original construction and engineering requirements. An as-constructed or ADAC survey is used to analyse the road and ensure it’s safe, graded correctly and falls within safe engineering parameters.
Make Your Next Project a Success with Roadworks Surveys from Sunrise Surveying.
Building new roads is one of the most important parts of every development project. Whether you’re constructing interstate highways, small backstreets or a private car park, it’s critical to ensure your roadways are safe and compliant. Sunrise Surveying works with private and public clients throughout Brisbane, Rockhampton, Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast and Yeppoon.
Our experienced team offers comprehensive roadworks surveys to deliver the accurate data you need to make your project a success. We support the planning, construction and monitoring of all roads, bridges and tunnels, allowing you to build or maintain critical infrastructure more efficiently. Contact us today to make an appointment and find out more about our roadworks surveys.