Author: Neil Williams – Engineering & Infrastructure Segment Manger, Leica Geosystems
Despite the current political uncertainty, we are seeing record investment from Highways England channelled through initiatives such as the Regional Development Partnership frameworks and the Smart Motorways Programme.
This investment is vital because our strategic roads network is one of the most valuable national assets we have. It is fundamental to economic growth.
The problem we face is that major projects are notoriously risky, complex, costly and high-profile. Experience tells us they are prone to exceeding budget and are broadly, extremely challenging to deliver. What compounds this outlook is that more than four million people rely on the Highways England strategic road network every day and that figure is set to rise by 40% from now to 2040.
Attempting to deliver this ambitious pipeline of work without refreshing our approach to construction will create major impacts across the country. Major projects will continue to be known as challenging, costly and ultimately, risky investments. This will mean that future investment will come into question and potentially put the country behind.
As a manufacturer looking at the industry, we are seeing wonderful pockets of innovation that are beginning to overcome the well-versed challenges facing major projects. Whether that is by streamlining workflows, increasing the ability to share accurate data between different teams or driving collaboration across multiple stakeholders.
At Highways UK this year we will be hosting the people and the organisations who are overcoming these challenges. You will hear from Skanska’s Survey Manager Mark Lawton presenting connected construction and smart paving. We will also be joined by Severn Partnership’s Managing Director Rollo Rigby highlighting mobile mapping on the A38 and Getmapping’s Business Manager Neil Rennie showcasing motorway surveys on the M20.
Join them, hear their story and understand their approach on stand B60. Follow @LeicaGeo_UKI on Twitter for the latest timetable updates.
You’ll find our full programme of events at Leica Geosystems’ stand within the exhibitor events listings
Neil Williams is Engineering & Infrastructure Segment Manger at Leica Geosystems
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