Intelligent compaction is the latest in road building compaction technology. Intelligent compaction or IC, involves the compaction of road materials using modern vibratory rollers equipped with an integrated measurement system, an onboard computer system and GPS. Optional feedback control also is available.

The key elements of intelligent compaction include split screen viewing capability and Omni Star GPS, both of which are exclusive to the Hamm rollers system. The ability to communicate between two or more rollers, as well as the system’s ability to transfer from a soil roller to an asphalt roller also are key to its success. The system will communicate the number of passes that the roller made, the asphalt temperature and the stiffness value.

The Federal Highway Administration has embraced the possibility of this new technology and has passed the bar to the states in order to test the new knowledge. Currently, 33 states are involved with plans to have all 50 involved by the end of 2014. The FHWA knows that IC will be a valuable tool for contractors that will continually increase their quality of work. IC will improve density and project efficiency, while also serving as a quality control tool.

Groff Tractor recognizes the importance of intelligent compaction and chose to host two seminars to educate area paving contactors on the latest technology. Two seminars were held, one near Harrisburg, Pa., and another near Pittsburgh, Pa. Tim Kawalski, the Hamm applications support manager of Wirtgen America spoke at the events, talking in-depth about IC technology, past and upcoming IC projects as well as briefly mentioning the Hamm advantage.

"Learning about new technology is key in our industry. We want to make sure that our customers and anyone else who chooses to learn more about advanced road building has the opportunity to do so. In previous years, we have held paving schools that serve as a refresher course for the fundamentals of paving. This year we wanted to do something different and with Penn Dot becoming involved in IC and jobs with IC being bid we felt that holding these seminars would benefit the area contractors," said Matt Wilson, Groff Tractor’s vice president of road building technologies.

More than 130 industry professionals attended the seminars.

"Anytime technology advances in an industry, training such as this is very helpful in bumping us up a few spots on the learning curve. There are definitely a few things we can take back and use when working on future projects that incorporate intelligent compaction," said Josiah Murray of Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc.

For more information, visit www.IntelligentCompaction.com.

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