Ferrovial has launched for the first time the use of autonomous equipment in the execution of an airport runway in Puerto Rico, within a contract valued at 239 million dollars (around 207.1 million euros at the current exchange rate), the company communicated this Wednesday.
The project includes the construction of a new runway 3,350 meters long and 46 meters wide, maintaining at all times the operation of the Rafael Hernández International Airport in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, without interruptions.
Through its Construction division, Ferrovial is employing for the first time autonomous machinery and advanced control systems in this type of infrastructure, as it emphasizes in an informative note.
In detail, the company has incorporated three technologically adapted compactors to work autonomously under the supervision of a single operator. This system allows the machines to make multiple passes within a defined perimeter, following previously designed routes.
The automation of these equipment makes possible a "continuous and precise" control of each stage of the compaction process and helps to increase productivity by minimizing the usual downtime in manual tasks, the infrastructure company points out. The statement also highlights that one of the key advances of this solution is the ability for a single professional to supervise several machines operating at the same time.
In this way, Ferrovial argues, this scheme "opens the door to a more efficient management of resources on site and anticipates new ways of working in which the coordination between people and autonomous machinery will be increasingly relevant."
Furthermore, the integration of obstacle detection systems based on artificial intelligence allows the machinery to stop automatically when it identifies the presence of people or vehicles, which would help to reduce the likelihood of incidents and reinforce safety in areas with high traffic.
"As these technologies evolve, an increase in collaborative models between construction companies, regulatory bodies, and technology providers is expected, in order to create common standards and accelerate their global adoption in a consolidated manner in the sector," conclude from Ferrovial.