Smart Automation in Roadbuilding: Moreprecise asphalt reclamation and paving – connected, automated, and fullyintegrated.
Smart Automation in Roadbuilding standsfor precise asphalt reclamation and paving along paths defined by digitalterrain models. The data is made available via an open interface, automaticallychecked for practicability, transferred to the machines via wirelesscommunication and, then, used for controlling the milling depth and screedposition. Full integration in the machines leads to predictable results, higherprecision, better quality, and lower material consumption in asphaltconstruction.
Digital terrain models used forcontrolling machines are characterized by accuracy, predictability, and precisecompliance with target values. They simultaneously present a number ofchallenges in practice: Additional outlay for the registration and provision ofdata, planning, and skilled personnel for operating machines with 2D/3D machinecontrol systems, and for the installation of surveying/measuring equipment onthe construction site. At the same time, the low data transparency leads toreservations on the part of machine operators when faced with complex technologies.
Allfrom a single source: Work Planner, Smart LEVEL PRO, and Smart Pave
With Smart Automation in Roadbuilding,the Wirtgen Group provides new digitalisation and automation solutions forasphalt rehabilitation that enables easier utilisation of the advantages ofdigital terrain models and the solution of challenges in practice. The keycomponents are the Work Planner as a digital tool in the John Deere OperationsCentreTM, Smart LEVEL PRO for automation of the milling depth andcross slope on Wirtgen F-series large milling machines, and Smart Pave forautomatic control of the screed position – i.e., steering and screed widthadjustment – in the case of the Vögele Dash 5 compact class tracked pavers.
Millingprocess: Improvement of evenness
Planning data that can be generated byall commonly used surveying and planning software solutions are made availablein the Work Planner via an open interface. A model of the existing area and amodel of the area to be milled are required for the automatic control of themilling machines.
The Work Planner analyses and checkswhether the data is usable for the automation process. Parameters such as themilling area, milling volume, and minimum, maximum, and average milling depthsare displayed directly on the screen. The distribution of the different millingdepths in the course of the project is also visualised.
Asphaltpaving: Compliance with considerably tighter tolerances
For automated asphalt paving, threelines defining the steering line and the two outer edges of the project areaare provided to the Vögele pavers. This enables the realisation of considerablytighter tolerances in the paving process. The Work Planner shows users a clearoverview of the area, length, and orientation of the paving project.
A map-view option enables personnelwithout a background in surveying to easily localise and check the project. Sitemanagers, surveyors, and resource planners benefit from the transparency of thedata, their practicability, and the expected final result prior to the start ofthe paving project.
Connectivityincreases operational efficiency
For the realisation of a project, thedata can be shared with other contractors or transmitted to freely selectablemachines from the operator’s own connected fleet via cellular communication.The machine control systems are already fully integrated in both road paversand cold milling machines and require no installation of additional components.Localisation of the machines with the necessary accuracy is enabled by a GNSSreceiver with an RTK correction signal.
Easyoperating
The operating concept couldn’t besimpler: All the machine operator has to do is choose the desired control modeon the familiar control screen. Thanks to the Live-View of all relevant projectdata, the operator always knows which mode the machine is in and what actionsand control commands can be expected.
The automated processes considerablyreduce the crew’s workload and leads to a measurable increase in the precisionand quality of the final results. A further advantage: Fewer surveyingresources are required on-site in comparison to 3D and retrofit solutions.
Fewerresources, better quality, and increased profitability
Smart Automation in Roadbuilding, thenew digitalisation and automation solution from the Wirtgen Group, enables therealisation of precise and cost-efficient paving results in compliance withplanned targets with the core construction crew and without the need foradditional, specialised personnel. Factors such as costing analyses in advancealso enable optimisation of the material volumes and logistics required for therealisation of the project.
All in all, road constructioncontractors enjoy the benefits of increased planning reliability andpredictability of the final results.
The Wirtgen Group solution – SmartAutomation in Roadbuilding – has been nominated for the bauma Innovation Award2025 in the category ‘Digitalisation’.
The Wirtgen Group Solution SmartAutomation in Roadbuilding enables predictable realisation of final results inasphalt construction with higher quality, fewer resources and greaterprofitability.
A core component of the Wirtgen GroupSmart Automation in Roadbuilding solution is the Work Planner: As a digitaltool in the John Deere Operations CentreTM, it analyses and checkswhether the data from digital terrain models are usable for the automationprocess.