March 5, 2018
Horner & Shifrin’s I-72 at I-55 Interchange Mobile LiDAR Project Wins ACEC Special Achievement Award, Recognized as Best in Category
H&S utilized mobile LiDAR equipment to scan approximately 17 miles of highway to provide results on a fast-tracked schedule and improve safety of survey crews.
Horner & Shifrin, Inc. was presented the Special Achievement Award for the I-72 at I-55 Interchange Mobile LiDAR Project at the Illinois Chapter of American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Engineering Excellence Awards Banquet on February 8, 2018. The annual project competition recognizes quality engineering design performed by member firms in the State of Illinois. The project was also recognized as Best in Category, which is given to the highest scoring project in each category.
Horner & Shifrin (H&S) utilized mobile LiDAR equipment to scan approximately 17 miles of State/Federal-controlled multi-lane divided highway, including flyover ramps, cloverleaf intersections and bridge clearances, as well as exit and entrance ramps. This scan was done as part of a resurfacing project, with a goal to correct various deficiencies along the corridor.
The innovative approach our team took on this project allowed for the data collection of the entire project limit to be completed within thirty days. This approach also avoided lane closures, disruption of traffic flow or the exposure of survey personnel to live traffic flow. In addition to the innovation applied, the delivery of the roadway survey data had to be fast-tracked with a quick schedule, to allow ample time for the letting process. Using traditional survey field techniques would’ve required a great deal of traffic control in order to establish safe working areas for field personnel along the high volume roadway.
“Horner & Shifrin was able to provide a survey to IDOT using vehicle-mounted LiDAR. This method allowed Horner & Shifrin to complete the survey quickly to keep the design on schedule. Additionally, this removed the need for survey crews to be on the pavement, therefore eliminating lane closures in a congested area and increasing safety for both workers and motorists,” said Jeffrey South, PE, Region Four Engineer, Illinois Department of Transportation.