15 October 2012

Costain’s Matt Blackwell has picked up an award from COMIT Projects Ltd for the Company’s contribution to utilising mobile information technology in the UK construction workplace.

Matt accepted the Investment in New Solutions Award in recognition of Costain’s use of Augmented Reality (AR) technology on the London Bridge Redevelopment Project for Network Rail.

COMIT Projects Ltd promotes the use of mobile technology in the UK construction industry by spreading best practice, promoting new developments and facilitating understanding between technology providers and construction companies.

“We are delighted to have won this award which recognises Costain’s ongoing commitment to delivering innovative solutions to construction operatives. Harnessing the best available technology, like Augmented Reality, helps us to gather the best information in order to get the job done as effectively as possible,” said Matt, Costain’s Group BIM Manager.

Augmented Reality takes a real-world environment, such as a construction project, and augments it with computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. Construction data from the project can be rendered onto a screen to build up an image of the finished project while also highlighting any potential problems in the construction process. 

AR is a component of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and a process for managing construction data which enables engineers to co-ordinate 3D models, analyse geometry, spatial relationships and geographic information, like major utilities, which can potentially impede the construction process.

Costain has worked closely with COMIT Projects Ltd to refine the use of mobile technology in the construction work place and has used BIM on its projects for a number of years, most notably on Junction 12 of the M1, the Bond Street Underground Station Upgrade, Liverpool Wastewater Treatment Works and various Crossrail projects.

The Company is co-sponsoring the Building Information Mobility Conference in London on November 15, where Matt will be presenting with representatives from Network Rail.

Matt has also been appointed as Chairman of COMIT’s BIM for Mobility Group which has been tasked with investigating the innovative use of mobile technology within construction.

“The Investment in New Solutions Award is for the team’s work at London Bridge but also in recognition of Costain’s overall contribution to promoting innovation and using mobile technology in the construction work place. Getting information to construction operatives in the field and then getting it back into the system for analysis is vital for the success of any construction project,” said Neill Pawsey, the Programme Director at COMIT Projects Ltd.

Tim Embley, Costain’s Group Innovation and Knowledge Manager, added: “COMIT Projects Ltd provides an excellent network for Costain to collaborate with member organisations to develop solutions to solve industry challenges. These solutions range from services that enable our engineers to access information in the field via cloud computing to remote monitoring of assets where we are able to provide cost effective services to our customers.”

 

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