158 Kilometre Stretch of Motorway in China Paved Using AI
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - China has completed the world’s first fully automated motorway paving project, spanning 157.79 kilometres on the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway.
This project marks a new milestone in the development of smart infrastructure by utilising artificial intelligence (AI), drones, and autonomous construction machinery.
The technology is claimed to improve efficiency, quality, and workplace safety in road construction.
In this project, China operated one unmanned asphalt paving machine with a 20-metre width, six 13-tonne tandem rollers, and three 30-tonne rubber-wheel rollers.
All heavy equipment worked synchronously in a 1+3+3+3 operational pattern. The system is controlled using advanced algorithms, a low-latency communication network, and the Beidou satellite navigation system with centimetre-level accuracy.
This technology enables precise compaction through close following and slow rolling methods, minimising the risk of uncompacted or missed areas.
With this method, the number of asphalt joints can be reduced, resulting in a smoother road surface and a stronger road structure.
Each autonomous heavy equipment in this project is equipped with various safety features, such as electronic fences, emergency stop systems, and real-time obstacle detection.
The technology allows machines to respond automatically to on-site conditions, including when detecting obstacles or changes in the working environment.
In addition, the system is also capable of performing compaction on the sides of the road with high accuracy without requiring additional equipment. The automatic tracking technology is said to have successfully reduced edge trimming errors to zero.
The success of this project is seen as a glimpse into the future of road construction, which relies on AI and automation to improve efficiency and the quality of infrastructure development.
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