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It’s a new challenge for the Department for Infrastructure. The promise is both a governmental goal andsomething that would develop the public’s interest ina better transportation infrastructure.

The Department claims:

  1. It will Improve the environment of Dungiven by providing a bypass for strategic traffic.
  2. Improve road safety
  3. Reduce journey times and improve journey time reliability.

Lastly, this project is a crucial part of the government’s plan for developing the infrastructure in the North Western region. The £220 million designated by the Department of Infrastructurewhichwill go towards making this carriageway a success is defined in the Regional Development Strategy for 2035. It will have a significant impact on reducing journey times, improving safety, and protecting the environment.

You may be wondering if this new transport infrastructure is really worth the £220 million being spent on it, or if the benefits will truly be felt by the people of Northern Ireland. There are many perspectives to discuss, and Computronic Group’s involvement has put us in a position to answer a few questions – not all.

Please use this short index to quickly find the information you’re looking for.

  • How does the department pay for this? (link)
  • How is Computronic Group involved?
  • Why did we agree to work on this project?
  • What role did Computronic Group play in this project?
  • Our thoughts and Advice?
  • How does the department pay for this?
  • What is a carriageway?
  • How do carriage ways develop transport infrastructure?
The Department operates in a way that is similar to other companies, but there are some key differences that make some people raise eyebrows. Experts Rob Francis and Dan Elliott from Frontier Economics based in London wrote a paper on the importance ofunderstanding where the funding for national infrastructure originate from. They wrote: “Transport infrastructure is a major enabler of economic development.”, this we can agree on. They continued: “Transport infrastructure is a major enabler of economic development. Governments worldwide have turned to the private capital market for financing. The primary narrative behind this push is the huge stocks of private capital that are available, while public financing capabilities are said to be limited andinsufficient” In other words, the government can’t finance development at the pace it wants to from its own income. To remedy this, the government employs professionals and industry specialists to manage the project. This makesthe project less expensiveand raises the rate of completion and likelihood of success for the project.

How is Computronic Group involved?

Computronic Group is a subcontractor for SWS which is the executive body in charge of the project. Computronic Group was selected to gather essential datathat wasneeded before even beginning the project. High-tech drones were used for aerial photogrammetry which forms the bases of the highway designs. The project (called A6 D2D Dualling) covers 25.5KM of highway! Our fleet of precision drones was used to create a virtual model of the pathway. Designers, engineers, and many more on the project rely on the data that we capture to formulate the next phase of planning.

Why did we agree to work on this project?

The department only moves forward witha project like this after it has been verified and voted into action. Once that happens, the department reaches out to the public and lets them know what the project is up against, what needs to be done, and who they need to do it. SWS is a joint venture organisation who is managing the project’s completion; they are Sacyr, Wills Bros Ltd and Somague. Computronic Groupprovides SWS withexcellentsurveys and datasothat they can beconfidentthatother teams will be impressedwith and view the benefits ofthe new age abilities demonstrated by these high-powered aerial photogrammetry drones. The challenge of scanningso much land is no easy feat and accuracy is very important. Our drones have been used for many purposes andthis isn’t the first time we’ve completed a project such as this one. The A6 D2D dualling project is an important development and should be approached with dedication and detail. Computronic Group was more than happy to help with the development.

What role did Computronic Group play inthis project?

Computronic Group is part of a planning and risk assessment team. Before anything could begin,it was necessary for the engineers and scientists to understand the challenge they were facing. The abilities ofour drones enabled other membersof this project to literally get down to ground level without moving from their offices or labs. The 3D models Computronic provides arepacked with data that allows experts to understand the environment that they will be building on and through. We’re able to get depth measurements, material densities, surface suitability and much more! This information allows engineers to design foundations, columns, walls and other structures that will be suitable for the land they arebuilt upon. It also ensures thatimportant areas where people can’t go are scanned by our drones to capture data in those dangerous areas. We have mapping drones that can fly into dangerous environments and map them for engineers to learn about the risks involved. We also have inspectiondrones that can fly through high voltage power lines and other dangerous areas to inspect for potential issues and hazards. Now that the project has been given the green light, the Department of Infrastructure considers it an accomplishment to begin planning for construction. Projects of this magnitude cannot afford any mistakes which is why Computronic uses the best drones for surveying the project site. It’s truethatthis project deserves coverage, but it is not the first time Computronic has done such a task. Data gathered by the drones helps engineers plan better and safer designs for our customers (by using drones, companiesreduce costs, time, and risk). Our pilot has years of experience capturing landscapes, properties, beaches and more. Many of our customers are big constructors and suppliers who are involved with major projects such as the A6 D2D.

Our thoughts and Advice?

We’re always happy to see developments, Computronic Group is a passionate technology and security company. We enjoy sharing the benefits of new technology with conventional customers who may not be aware of thecapabilities granted to infrastructure projects, much like the dual carriageway being built between Dungiven and Drumahoe. In our experience,it is often correct that transport infrastructure does indeed improve the environment that connects the carriageway. This new development will undoubtedly reduce journey times for those driving along this route, reducing stress and improving convenience for those who use this carriageway.However, it is worth noting that in the year 2020, new construction and improvement only accounted for 32% of the entire budget that is dedicated to our roads. During the whole year, only 30% of the budget was used on maintenance. These figures create an illustrative picture that the money intended for the development and upkeep of roads isnot being used efficiently. It would be proactive to see the budget being used more for developing new roads which will in-turn boost economic growth and breathenew life into towns. Computronic Group uses the best technologies we can get our hands on to demonstrate the benefits they bring when usedin the correct manner. It does take experience and knowledge to use technology effectively, which can be said formany industries from web development to medicine to oceanography. One of our main services is bringing the unlocked benefits of new technology to projects such as this highway, which is more than 25km long, being built between Dungiven and Drumahoe. It isalso worth thinking about how you can reduce the cost of running your business through wise investment in the right technology demonstrated by the Department of Infrastructure. Technology is constantly changing, and there are now many cost-effective options available to businesses whomay have previously felt that they were out of their reach.

Further reading:

What is a carriageway?

A carriageway is the paved or otherwise improved portion of a public road (or privatedriveway) that is intended to beused by motorized or non-motorized vehicles. Carriageways can be separated from each other by kerbs, ditches, fences, walls, or other physical barriers. They can also be divided by the type of traffic they are intended to accommodate. A carriageway can have a different name within its community, such as a “drive” or “parking lane”. In many places, especially in urban areas such as citiesor large towns, carriageways are frequently used to host other forms of activity besidesdriving, such as parking, loading, dropping off, walking, biking, skating, etc. Carriageways can be helpful in different ways. First of all, they can be helpful in the sense that they create a clear path for the traffic to follow: they are direct routes (carriageways) that takes us fromone point to another.

How do carriageways develop transport infrastructure?

They arevital for the efficient movement of people and goods. They ease congestion on roads, enable faster movement of people and goods, and allow for efficient public transport. They are wider than normal roads, with parking at the kerbrather than in the lane to allow for easy passage of large vehicles. They have a barrier to prevent pedestrians from crossing at any point. They also have parking bays for cyclists.

In early 2017, the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland initiated a flood defence plan that would see the construction of aggregate River Feale embankments. The plan was first enacted in 1922, following the flooding of the River Feale, acting as a wakeup call for the local authorities. In recent years, it’s become clear that the river needs more reinforcement again due tonew extreme weather conditions. The flood defence plan initialised by Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland was a major step towards mitigating the damage caused by the Feale River Flood. A document titled Aggregate – River Feale Flood Defence Embankments outlines the resources, terms and conditions that must be followed by private partners on this project. This document is 57 pages long and is packed with detailed rules and guidelines that apply to all of the involved suppliers and partners. The plan is designed to protect the population and its surrounding areas from future flooding.

Computronic Group is providing a fundamental service towards the success of the River Feale project by using our expert drone fleet to gather data and geographical datapoints needed forother teams in the project to do their job. As proof of quality, orthographic drones are now being used by the United States Geological Survey to help with the defence against flooding rivers in America.

Our drones are equipped with cameras that allow them to take pictures of the riverbanks. These pictures are then used to create 3D models of the rivers. This model can be used to determine where the river is likely to flood and how much material will be needed to ensurerelief from flooding. These drones canprovide a bird’s eye view of the situation. These drones can be used to help assess the risk of flooding and provide information that can be used to help improve flood defences. This new technology is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to revolutionize the way we prepare for and respond to floods. Drones help engineers and scientists gather data and view the environment directly,through a three-dimensional model created using the data that these drones collect. This is important because it allows for a more accurate understanding of the high risk area, which can lead to better decisions being made about evacuation routes and potentially rescue efforts.

In some cases, the data collected by drones can also be used to track the progress of clean-up efforts after a natural disaster. The Environment Agencycurrently tracks flooding using gauging stations which allows it to spot when water levels are rising. Although it can also deploy aeroplanes and boats to assess the extent of flooding, abetter solution would be developing drones specialized for tackling the floods and climate change. Weather defence services should utilise ‘cheap’ drones instead of aeroplanes and helicopters to monitor rural areas. By gathering data about the affected area, orthographic drones can help create a more accurate and up-to-date model of the area. This model can be used to plan relief schemes and put in place rescue plans should they be necessary.

According to a McKinsey study, the construction industry struggles with a great deal of inefficiency. Large construction projects typically take 20% longer than expected to complete and are up to 80% over budget. Compared to other sectors, the constructionindustry has been slow in embracing new digital technologies, even though the long-term benefits are significant. Computronic Group believes it is time for disruption and according to the study, commercial drones – or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) – are keyto this. In the past, orthographic drones were mostly used by the military. The use of drones in construction can help speed up projects, improve safety and lower costs, and most importantly contribute significantly to the completion and success of projects like these. Commercial drones can be used for a variety of tasks, such as surveying land, inspection of construction sites and buildings, and delivery of materials.

Another very clever use of high-tech drones is using them to conduct extremely accurate stockpile reports for companies who deal with hard to manage materials. Many organisations have dedicated many resources and time to developing methods to understand how much soil, rock, concrete, woodorother raw materials. Conventional methods may involve individuals hired torecord and manually count or calculate materials, thereafter, forming areport based on those calculations. This has been proven to be inaccurate and prone to mistakes; this can cause gross overestimations which lead tosupply issues and ultimately down-time.

On the other side of the spectrum, robotic techniques for stocktaking aresteadily replacing manual stock takes, especially for larger warehouses anddistribution centres. Robots are more effective than humans when it comesto picking up differences and can also be used to detect and sort inventoryfrom afar. The ability to perform repetitive tasks that require a high level ofprecision and fine motor skills is important when using a robot. In order toautomate the stock taking process, you need an array of supportive systemsthat will control the robots and react to changing environments.

Computronic Group uses high grade survey drones which can even beprogrammed to conduct routine surveys on their own, only being supervisedby a qualified piolet. The benefit of this automation is getting an exact replicaof previous surveys which is advantageous to creating more accurate reportsand comparisons.

Computronic Group is leading by example by using drones to help construction companies to do their stock take on a very accurate scale. Many people both inside and outside of the construction, mining and raw material supply industries still doubt the accuracy of stockpile reports generated by drone surveys. Computronic is on a mission to break this assumption as most sceptics fail to understand that the technology being used today by our drones is very accurate and is supported by special software that is created especially for the purposes of stock take. Further more, conventional methods of acquiring stockpile reports areproven to be inaccurate when compared to reports done professionally with commercial grade drones and software. As such, it’s far better to use drones to conduct stock take and further the value of stock take reports by utilizing the additional layers of data that drones provide. Not only do drones usespecial cameras that can even measure material density, but they can also provide valuable data about the traffic of material being movedand the spreadof material that is often overlooked.
Computronic Group has provided this service to distribution centres near Limerick Junction where we scan their stock piles deliver them data dense Reports, where they can view their inventory and layer data in the comfort oftheir offices. They are confident that our reports reflect a true representation oftheir resources because they have access to the data that has been directly gathered by our drone fleet. This prevents mistakes and ultimately puts themat a higher standard as a quality supplier for their customers.

In recent years, the use of drones for commercial activities has increased dueto government permission to fly certified and licensed drones. Government contractors and builders alike have been the first people to adopt the use of drone surveys for mapping project areas. A common use is taking pictures of their site which alone provide valuable insights for engineers. Other usesare to take stockpile measurements of various materials lying in the project area.

Computronic Group provides this solution as a service which bypasses companies needing to get their own licensed and certified pilots. Various industries that have outdoor stocks find it difficult to measure the exact quantities that remain, especially vast amounts of materials. More over, when these materials are spread over a large area, it becomes an obstacle for companies to assess correctly. Computronic Group overcomes this headache by using our expert drone surveys to map the area, photograph the land and generate stockpile reports using data collected by the drone survey and accompanying special software.

Computronic Group decided to specialize in using the drones to survey lands and stockpiles as there is a dire need to adopt new, helpful technologies in Ireland.

Using Drone Surveying and Mapping Services for your Business Aerial surveying by drones provide a clear and accurate picture of the mapped site. It has become a supercharged technology through software that processes data into 2D and 3D models for better comprehension. This saves a significant amount of time, speeds upworkflow and saves capital. Drone mapping is especially helpful for organisations that need information on regular changes in sites or project progress. Large projects can be regularly scanned as a more cost-effective solution than using manned aircrafts. Construction projects, mining sites, road works, coastal area monitoring are some places that Computronic has provided much needed surveying frequently. Drones gather data incredibly quickly. On top of that, they use high-resolutioncameras, and our drones can be equipped further with specialized camerasforcapturing(?)more data. Secondly, specialized software converts data to a 3DMapping of the site, representing an in-depth topographical map. Having detailed data and 3D maps can help other teams visualize and make informed decisions. This increases project success rates and keeps peoplesafe.

Drone surveying can analyse stockpiles, get volumetric measurements of said stock and assist in inventory calculations. Examples of practical uses are gathering detailed storm water drainage, planning constructions and measuringlandfill capacity. Choosing the right drone surveyor service is vital and while some businesses employ drone services to fast track their projects, you may besurprised to learn how UAVs may be an asset to your business too. Findinga reliable and competent drone operating service may be tricky. You  must determine the right drone service provider after considering some important details unique to your work.

Computronic Group has been serving multiple different industries with our drone fleet. We’ve encountered various industries and we aim to share the benefits that these drones bring to businesses who wish to deliver higher standard supplies or plans to their clientele. Much like how we help our clients generate stockpile reports or assess construction sites. Consider reaching out to us or schedule a meeting to understand the benefits that UAV surveys may bring to your company.

The River Springfield flood relief scheme will provide protection for the surrounding properties in the area. It involves the construction of a flood protection embankment, land raising, penstock / sluice, pump station and associated works at the townlands of Springfield. In 2021, Chief Executive of Clare County Council Pat Dowlingsaid, “Clare County Council is delighted for the residents of Springfield who have suffered for so long from flooding to their homes and property and would like to thankthem for their continued help and assistance throughout this process.”

Today, work on the project is underway (to completion and) to deliver protection to 80% of the surrounding properties which will be protected by this significant investment programme. A vital aspect of the project relies on the understanding of the surrounding environment and progress of the construction efforts. Computronic Group is involved in this solution by providing a bird’s-eye view of the entire project. We use high end drones to capture orthographic imagery that provides other teams with valuable insights. Orthographic drones have a number of advantages over traditional surveying methods. For example, they can be flown at low altitudes, which means they can cover a large area quickly and present high accuracy data. They are also able to fly in tight spaces, which is useful for surveying damaged or hard to reach areas. Additionally, orthographic drones can be equipped with sensors that track environmental conditions, such as temperature, wind speed and rainfall, all of which may be needed during a project to develop protections against flooding.

Computronic Group is assisting with the analysis and documentation of the surrounding areas. We areusing our special drone fleet fitted with various cameras to further our data capturing capabilities. The datathatour drones are able to capture is then processed by our team of experts who use the latest in computer vision software to createa 3D model of the construction area. This model can be used to plan evacuation routes and aid in planning efforts.

Our drones are helping to identify potential risks, challenges and hazards in the area so that we can create a more accurate solution to solveany shortcomings inthe plan that was established years ago. The new map of the area shows clear differences between the initial inspections;this puts more stress on the engineering team as they were fed old, outdated reports. This data will be used to help plan evacuations, help engineers develop blueprints and help geoscientists forecast how the solutions will affect the river as well as the surrounding environment.

The works are expected to be substantially complete in 2022, however the new data provided by Computronic has resulted in new evaluations that need to be considered for the scheme to be effective. It is an important step for any construction or development to first understand the group and environment. Overtime,multiple surveys of an area give scientists a good idea of the challenges that the area experiences. Computronic Group highly suggests the use of UAV drone surveys to first gather essential data.

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