News
emulsion stabilisation trial
20 November 2020
Last week Road Science undertook a bitumen emulsion stabilisation trial with the Waikato District Alliance and Downer Stabilisation Team. Nik Vishwanath introduced the teams to a new Road Science product Enviro Base.
The product was added directly into the drum of Downer's Wirtgen WR2000 Stabiliser and was found to improve the speed and quality when constructing the pavement.
Enviro Base greatly improves the impermeability of the material and the constructed pavement can withstand longer periods of time unsealed without raveling away and potholing. This allows construction crews to be more efficient when scheduling their first coat seals.
If you have any questions about this product contact Nik Vishwanath.
Ultra Mender Case Study - Downer NZ and Porirua District Council
29 October 2020
Put your coffee down and your feet up while you read about an ingenious Road Science product - Ultra Mender...
https://lnkd.in/gWSbd7c
Nik Vishwanath
Fast break emulsion Trial
8 October 2020
Nina Barbier and Nik Vishwanath were in Auckland this week trialling fast break emulsion with the Downer team.
This product is designed to offer extremely fast curing which can be opened to uncontrolled traffic within minutes, it has the potential to significantly reduce disruption from resealing the road and to allow sealing all year round.
Te Wiki o te Reo Maori
17 September 2020
In celebration of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori we would like to share Nik Vishwanath's story. He is on the road to full te reo immersion and is currently studying Te Pūtaketanga o te Reo for a New Zealand Certificate in Te Reo.
Nik wanted to gain a deeper understanding of Māori culture and learn more about New Zealand's history. He also adds that he wanted to challenge himself to learn a new language and encourages others to do the same. "Through the people I've met on the course, it's evident that te reo is alive and thriving, and it's something I want to be part of as a New Zealander.
"There are really no barriers to learning, a lot of the courses are accessible and free, run by passionate teachers that create a learning environment no matter where you are from or who you are."
Here's a photo of Nik from this week at the Downer Transport Services Central Region Leadership Conference.
Awesome work Nik!
Supporting the Coast Care Program
11 September 2020
It was beautiful morning to help out the Coast Care Program!
Here's some photos of our Mount Maunganui Laboratory Team helping dune regeneration by planting some new seedlings.
Thanks for the pictures Simeon Hall
Celebrating Diversity in the Technical Services Team
5 August 2020
In our Road Science Technical Services team we have 18 different nationalities spread across six continents. The guys had a great time researching the meaning of their flags and then sharing this knowledge with their colleagues. The photos represent a snapshot of the team with their national flags.
Thank you to the Downer Gisborne team for inspiring our team to find more out about each other!
Workshop with Hamilton Alliance Team
7 July 2020
Great day yesterday working with the Hamilton Alliance team, we valued their time, energy and openness that allowed our R&D team dive deeper into their business to see how we can work together to bring innovation to the city. Thank you Pip Loader Loader for driving the day in all the right directions.
#ideationworkshop #R&D #Roadscience #piploader #HamiltonAlliance
Celebrity Visitor - The Leica Pegasus: Two
2 July 2020
There was a celebrity visitor at the Global Survey Auckland office last week when James popped in with the Leica Pegasus: Two (Ultimate) Mobile Mapper! This high-speed Profiler delivers 1,000,000 points across 200 line scans per second, combined with the imagery stitched together by the IMU & GPS.
The Pegasus: Two is used for road, rail or water surveying and captures calibrated imagery and point cloud in one pass. The Cameras rotate 360° so they can also analyse structures and it has an additional two external cameras used for pavement analysis – crack, roughness and rut detection.
We operate this cutting-edge technology as we are committed to delivering superior road and pavement solutions for longer lasting roads across New Zealand.
#nzleicastories #roadscience #pegasustwo #mobilemapping #laserscanning #surveying #realitycapture #whenithastoberight #leicageosystems
Enviro Shield in action
16 June 2020
Nik Vishwanath was in Auckland today seeing Enviro Shield in action.
Enviro Shield is used on residential roads as an alternative to chip seal. It provides a protective coating for existing asphalt enriching the surface and prolonging its life while maintaining a smooth surface you would expect of asphalt.
https://lnkd.in/gV47azP
New emulsion plant for Taranaki
9 June 2020
Road Science has opened a new bitumen emulsion plant in Taranaki demonstrating a commitment to safety, sustainability and quality. It’s the fourth emulsion plant for Road Science and it continues an ongoing responsibility to bring world-leading roading technology and products across New Zealand.
This investment establishes a robust product supply chain specifically to deliver new products and services into the lower south of the North Island, giving Road Science more research and development capability to conduct full scale production trial of new innovative products. The plant is the latest investment and is a specialised emulsion plant that Road Science has acquired from ENH Engineering from Denmark www.enh.dk. ENH is an emulsion plant manufacturer having built over 200 units throughout the world.
The plant has several innovative features developed with Road Science which makes this plant unique with special additional capabilities.
Falling Weight Deflectometer
4 June 2020
In a first for New Zealand, Road Science can now IANZ accredit the capture of Falling Weight Deflectometer data to AG:AM/T006. IANZ accreditation. This means our systems, procedures and equipment are thoroughly audited for compliance with national and international best practise, ensuring the data you get is accurate and consistent giving the end user more confidence.
Hand Sanitier
4 May 2020
Four weeks ago we posted about how Road Science helped with the short fall in hand sanitiser due to COVID-19. Today we would like to celebrate the production of over 10,000 litres that have been used in hospitals, police stations, food factories, and construction sites. Well done to everyone who made this happen with a special mention to David Alexander for leading the project!
Mobile Mapper
20 April 2020
As we prepare for level 3 next week it might be time to consider how you are going to collect survey data for your next project. If you haven’t considered it before, now is the time to look at mobile mapping which can collect data quickly and safely while observing social distancing and contact tracing guidelines. The mobile mapper can collect survey grade data rapidly at road speeds, with no traffic disruption, often with no traffic management. Road Science then provides comprehensive analysis and support for the data which is collected.
Visit https://lnkd.in/fkNpnJq for more information, we look forward to talking with you.
Our laboratory technicians back in action
17 April 2020
We would like to highlight our laboratory technicians today, this week they have been back at work testing product compliance for essential works. Projects include the Queenstown Airport Runway and the Wellington CentrePort Wharf. Thank you for the essential work you are doing to help at this time!
Te Ara Whanake - Maori Leadership Programme
8 April 2020
We have an amazing bunch of people who work for Road Science, this week I would like to share the personal journey of Katarina Gage who firstly attended Downer’s Te Ara Whanake (Maori Leadership Programme) as a participant and now as a facilitator of the programme. I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading about some of Kat’s insights, one of them being, “be open minded and try to adapt to other people's styles – a lot of people are stuck in one way of communicating and haven’t tried other ways!” https://lnkd.in/fRdnkE3
Hand sanitiser - providing a vital product in a time of crisis
3 April 2020
A lot has happened over the past few weeks, including the production of 192, five litre containers of hand sanitiser, by our team at Road Science! This amazing creation will initially supply all of our teams who are delivering essential services, including hospitals and the healthcare industry. Working alongside existing suppliers, the team were able to secure an allocation of ethanol (the component that kills germs) and utilise a manufacturing plant, which was already setup to handle flammable raw materials – allowing them to get straight to work. The formula is made to World Health Organisation standards and production is going strong – with the next batch making a massive 600, five-litre bottles. You’ll also notice the product itself is branded Spotless Group, which made a lot more sense due to their recognition for cleaning services. We love seeing the business coming together and supporting each other. Well done to the Road Science team for utilising their skills and providing our teams with vital equipment during a time of crisis! Thank you also to our teams who are continuing to keep the power on, the water running, hospitals cleaned and the phone and internet connected. Kia Kaha New Zealand!
Staying connected
1 April 2020
Ultra Mender - So Easy Even Dave Can Do It
17 March 2020
International Women's Day
10 March 2020
The Leica Pegasus
26 February 2020
Road Science’s Leica Pegasus: Two Ultimate completes its first rail corridor mission on KiwiRail’s T2UH Duplication Project. A full set of survey deliverables were captured, including 3d scan data, imagery and survey control for the stretch of rail corridor between Sutherland Avenue (Silverstream) and Park Street (Upper Hut).
Two brand new ARRB Hawkeye high
12 February 2020
International Day of Woman and Girls in Science
10 February 2020
We are proud of our team and how Road Science encourages diversity in our workplace. Today is International Day of Woman and Girls in Science, we would like to celebrate all the women in our team who are involved in Science and acknowledge their important contribution to our business.
Technical Development Team - 'The Video'
24 December 2019
Before we sign off for 2019 here’s a video about our Technical Development Team, we wanted to demystify the people and processes that create our amazing products – we hope you enjoy it! Have a safe Christmas, the team at Road Science.
Unravelling the new NZTA M1-A 2019 specification for performance graded binders
13 December 2019
Celebration for new tankers
2 December 2019
It was a once in life time opportunity last week to see four of these beauty’s lined up. Our new tankers were officially blessed by Steve Barker at a celebration event last week, the new fleet means greater flexibility, greater efficiency and greater safety – a winning combination.
Pictured: Doug Carrasco - Road Science General Manager, Steve Barker - E2 Coordinator, Ross Godkin - National Manufacturing Manager.
Safeguard Magazine
11 November 2019
A snap of Jackie Brown-Haysom from Safe Guard Magazine https://lnkd.in/faS4DvZ taking photos of the crew today. Nik Vishwanath, Murray. Northcott, Gregory Alford and Matthew Sinclair were all involved in an innovative solution around how to eliminate Hydrogen Sulfide emissions when making one of our products.
The latest Hawkeye
4 November 2019
Road Science continues to purchase the latest Hawkeye high speed data survey technology from ARRB to provide data driven solutions for our customers. Our latest Hawkeye 1000, which was purchased earlier this year is our 3rd generation high speed data surveying vehicle. We have another one just landed in the country which will be available early next year. We are currently collecting texture, geometry and video data in the Waikato for our customer to use in their reseal programme.
Technically Speaking - Ultra Mending Sunken Services Hatches
30 October 2019
Mobile Mapper in Te Anau
29 October 2019
Gorgeous photo of the The Mapper which was in Milford last week, capturing data from Te Anau through to Milford including the Homer Tunnel for the Downer Utilities Team.
Bitumen emulsion frequently asked questions
14 October 2019
Would you like to know more about bitumen emulsions? Phillip Muir our Operational Support Manager has just put together this useful frequently asked questions document available on our website https://lnkd.in/fc82U2g Enjoy!
How innovation eliminated a Hydrogen Sulfide risk
10 October 2019
Grab a cuppa and find out how innovation eliminated a Hydrogen Sulfide risk….brought to you by Nik Vishwanath Click here to launch the webinar https://lnkd.in/fM5R5_q
Mobile Mapper
9 October 2019
Our Mobile Mapper is on display today at the S+SNZ Engineering & Positioning Workshop in Christchurch https://lnkd.in/fVrneQR Richard Carter is ready and waiting for any questions you may have!!
Preventing Tarmagedon
27 September 2019
Road Science had three presenters at preventing Tarmagedon this week https://lnkd.in/gfghR_2
Awesome work Richard Carter, David Alexander and Greg Arnold feedback was “the Road Science guys were professional, highly engaging and technically interesting!”
Community Volunteering Day
24 September 2019
As part of Community Volunteering Day last week the Mount Maunganui Laboratory participated in dune planting at their local beach. They spent two hours planting approximately 200 native dune plants to help protect the coast line, this was highly appreciated by Coast Care and the Regional Council!
Tauranga Marathon
21 September 2019
What a fantastic effort from our team at the Tauranga Marathon today! Great turnout from our people as we continue to focus on health and well-being at Road Science. Congratulations to everyone who entered and many thanks to those who supported.
New b-train
9 September 2019
Introducing our sparkling new b-train. This spectacular looking bituminous tanker is going into the Road Science transport logistics fleet from next week! We look forward to providing safe and efficient deliveries from this new unit to all of our customers.
Plas Mix and EME2 featured in The Contractor this month
2 September 2019
Nice to see both Plas Mix and EME2 featured in The Contractor this month!
Samoa project coming to an end
29 August 2019
Our project in Samoa is coming to an end, one person we would like to mention is Caleb Hay who has been in the South Pacific for over 12 months running our IANZ Laboratory. We look forward to having you home next month Caleb, thank you for doing such a great job!
APPA presenter Darcy Rogers
19 August 2019
Don't forget Darcy Rogers' is presenting today at APPA in room (C2.2&3) on developing a viable emulsion alternative to hot cutback bitumen in New Zealand. He's really looking forward too some tough questions to the end!
Sky Tower step up challenge
15 August 2019
Massive shout out to our Auckland Laboratory Technician @Pablo Huusmann who has just finished the Sky Tower Step up Challenge which raised money for the Leukaemia and Blood Cancer Foundation. He climbed 51 floors in 9'04" and together with his team raised over 3 thousand dollars. #awesomeeffort
FWD
7 August 2019
Another cool piece of pavement investigation equipment. The FWD is used to accurately and quickly measure pavement deflections. The data collected is able to determine the individual layer modulus which can be used to predict the remaining life of pavements. Here’s a photo of its first outing on the East Cape. If you need more information contact Richard Carter pavements investigation FWD
Mobile Mapper at CCNZ 2019
1 August 2019
Spotted at the Civil Contractors New Zealand Conference! The Leica Pegasus: Two [Ultimate] mobile mapper which captures spatial data using a combination of Inertial Measurement Unit [IMU], cameras, GPS and laser profiling technology. If you’re at the conference, head on over to the Road Science stand to find out more about this amazing technology.
Technically Speaking - Darcy Rogers
25 June 2019
Janet Jackson is now a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng)
6 June 2019
Road Science is proud to recognise Janet Jackson for yet another significant milestone in her career. This week Janet received official confirmation from Engineering NZ that she is now a Chartered Professional Engineer(CPEng). This is excellent recognition for her diverse and outstanding 40-year career in this industry. Janet is a role model for women in engineering and is now one of this company’s highest qualified engineers. Great work we are all really proud of you!
Plas Mix trial in New Plymouth
6 June 2019
Road Science recently announced our partnership with EnviroNZ to investigate the use of waste plastic in New Zealand’s roading products. We are thrilled to announce that the first large scale trial of Plas Mix was delivered last month in New Plymouth. This was the first example in New Zealand, where hard plastic has been used to surface a public road. The trial consumed 500 kilograms of hard plastic waste in 100m2 of road.
We would like to acknowledge New Plymouth’s District Council vision for being the first council in New Zealand to get on board with this project. “Road Science is committed to providing innovative solutions for technical and business challenges facing the New Zealand roading market. Developing practical and cost effective solutions to sustainability challenges remains front and centre for our team. Reducing solid waste from entering landfills, while reducing our carbon footprint and providing high quality cost effective outcomes is a challenging yet motivating assignment for us. Darcy Rogers, Simeon Hall and the technical development team are doing a fantastic job and highlighting the world-leading capability that this country has.” Murray Robertson, Road Science. For the full story view the following video…
Technically Speaking - Nik Vishwanath
6 June 2019
The latest Technically Speaking by Nik Vishwanath - Process Engineer in our Technical Team. Nik outlines a recent project he was involved in to eliminate Hydrogen Sulphide emissions.
World Environment Day
4 June 2019
Today is World Environment Day a day for encouraging awareness and action to protect our environment. In support we would like to share a significant sustainability project we have been working on.
In 2008 the team started on a journey to challenge the high energy usage at the Mount Maunganui bitumen plant. The plant initially had an annual energy consumption of 50,000GJ per year. Through an EECA energy audit Road Science found opportunities to reduce its energy consumption. By investing in energy saving initiatives the site’s annual energy consumption reduced by a massive 20,000GJ (or 1,204 tonnes of CO2)! The business now conducts EECA energy audits nationally across its manufacturing operations to identify and capture energy conservation opportunities.
The success of Road Science’s sustainability initiatives are meaningful and delivered with utmost passion for achieving the best outcomes for the business and our environment. I am humbled by the level of capability across all aspects of the Road Science business, no-one is afraid to challenge the status quo and to offer up improvements. The difference here is that ideas and creativity are translated into action, and there is more to come! Watch this space! Well done Ross Godkin and team!” Murray Robertson hashtagbeatairpollution
Young engineers
31 May 2019
On Wednesday @Murray. Northcott and @Nik Vishwanath took a group of young engineers on a tour of their Mount Maunganui bitumen storage and manufacturing plant. It was an great opportunity to teach engineers from various fields how a bitumen plant runs and to show off the best view in Tauranga!
Safeguard award win
28 May 2019
We are proud to announce that last night Road Science won a prestigious Safeguard award for ‘best initiative to address a work-related health risk’. https://lnkd.in/gyFwGup This award was given to Road Science for the innovative way the team eliminated the risk of Hydrogen Sulphide being emitted when manufacturing and storing bituminous products. To read more about the project please check this out: https://lnkd.in/gPdDykC
“This is fantastic recognition for the dedication and hard work of Nik Vishwanath, Darcy Rogers, Ross Godkin, Mike Tyne and the wider Road Science business.
We challenged the team to not just mitigate the risk, but instead remove it completely. Really pleasing to see the teams work collaboratively to achieve a superb outcome”. Murray Robertson, GM, Road Science
New Zealand Infrastructure Sustainability Summit
27 May 2019
Our Technical Development Manager, Darcy Rogers presenting at last week’s New Zealand Infrastructure Sustainability Summit. Darcy highlighted the important work Road Science is doing to redirect hard plastic away from landfill and into roading. The organisers had an abundance of great feedback about the Innovations and Impact session, and Darcy’s workshop in particular attracted a large crowds – showing just how important this work is!
Survey and Spatial New Zealand Annual Conference
12 May 2019
Rhys O'Cain was showcasing our new Mobile Mapper at last week’s Survey and Spatial New Zealand Annual Conference. This year’s conference explored the theme of shaping tomorrow’s communities by sharing concepts, ideas and knowledge. Thank you to Global Survey https://globalsurvey.co.nz for collaborating with us and sharing a stand!
Mobile Mapper
3 May 2019
Road Science is excited to announce that we can now offer high-speed surveying in motion using a Mobile Mapper. This service is now available for hire and is the only unit of its kind within New Zealand.
The Mobile Mapper, Pegasus II Ultimate (P2U), utilises point cloud and photogrammetric solutions to provide innovative ‘all you can see’ high resolution datasets, this equipment transforms the capturing and monitoring for projects and contracts.
A Mobile Mapper combines a laser scanning sensor, multiple cameras and an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) to deliver its survey datasets. In the P2U’s case the point cloud dataset is captured by a laser scanner collecting 1,000,000 points across 200 line scans per second to sub-millimetre accuracy. The photogrammetric survey data is stitched together from six cameras taking photos every 3m – 5m. There are two additional external cameras used for pavement analysis - crack, roughness and rut detection. Cameras can rotate 360° so they can also analyse structures. For more information contact Janet Jackson
IANZ accredited services in Vanuatu
16 April 2019
More great work to share – this time all the way from Vanuatu.
The Road Science Laboratory business has provided IANZ accredited services for the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) in Vanuatu for the Santo-Pekoa and Bauerfield Airport Runway Projects
Over the course of the project eleven staff from Road Science’s laboratory business have spent time in Vanuatu. We would like to make a special mention Frank Hu (Laboratory Section Head Auckland) who has provided leadership on this project. Well done to everyone who has been involved in this project it shows what collaboration in action looks like.
Darcy Roger's - Master's Degree
11 April 2019
We would like to congratulate our Technical Development Manager Darcy Rogers. Darcy has successfully completed a Master’s Degree in Science for Materials and Processing at Waikato University.
He managed to complete this Master’s while working full-time and studying part-time. Four years and two kids later he has received his degree and we are extremely proud of him!
Darcy would like to thank all his colleagues and especially his partner Charlie for all the support during this time. Darcy’s study has already paid dividends for Road Science, with researching the feasibility of alternative pavement materials with products such Ultra Mender and the waste plastic mix (Plas Mix).
Awesome work Darcy!
Cold roads ahead
4 April 2019
Cold roads ahead! Check out Callaghan Innovation’s article on the work we have been collaborating on. Great work Nik Vishwanath from Road Science who was a part of this project.
International Womens Day 2019
7 March 2019
International Women’s Day 2019 hashtagBalanceforBetter At Road Science we recognise that balancing work and life is increasingly challenging. We are constantly connected and no longer is there simple delineation between the two. For this reason, we encourage flexibility in the workplace and support our people to be open about personal requirements and family needs. If we are happy in our work then we are happy at home, but the priority must be to enjoy life. Hillary says it more succinct than I…! Murray Robertson
"Don't confuse having a career with having a life." Hillary Clinton Today I would like to celebrate the women at Road Science. Here is a snapshot of the diverse work they do every day to make the company what it is! Take a look at the following link https://lnkd.in/fQRdZnQ
Technically Speaking - David Alexander
4 March 2019
Making decisions today that effect future generations require more than just a common calculation. Explore the types of decision made in the civil construction industry today. Find a better way of forecasting outcomes by reading David Alexander's article - Building for tomorrow - risk and whole of life cost https://lnkd.in/fa559JG
David and Simeon at RIMS
4 March 2019
Road Science had two presenters at the RIMs conference on Wednesday, David Alexander presented on data driven treatment selection of whether to use one or two coat seals and Simeon Hall presented about redirecting waste plastics into roading. The diversity of these presentations drives home how many different areas our innovative business is involved in – great work David and Simeon!
Engineering NZ Board
26 February 2019
The Engineering NZ Board are currently holding their elections, our GM @Murray Robertson has thrown his hat in the ring for nomination.
If you think the board needs some fresh thinking vote for Murray.
Nik presenting at FINZ
4 February 2019
Nik Vishwanath from our Technical Development Team, recently presented at the Fluids in New Zealand (FiNZ) research workshop in Dunedin. This workshop is an annual event bringing together New Zealand's leading experts in fluid mechanics. This presentation was the outcome of ground-breaking research, in conjunction with Callaghan Innovation, to understand how Road Science's emulsion technology is pumped and sprayed through conventional spraying equipment.
The result of this research has allowed Road Science to optimise our customers' sprayers while also helping guide the development of more energy efficient emulsion spraying systems for the future.
Janet Jackson in the Diversity agenda
30 January 2019
The Diversity Agenda is a partnership between Engineering New Zealand, the New Zealand Institute of Architects and ACENZ. Their important goal is to generate interest and awareness of women in engineering and to ultimately see the industry achieve an increase in gender diversity. We are extremely proud that @Janet Jackson (our Technical Services Manager for the Laboratories) has featured in their publication this month!
New PMB manufacturing plant in the Port of Lyttelton
16 January 2019
We are excited to inform you that the Emulco Board recently opened a new PMB Manufacturing Plant at the Road Science plant in the Port of Lyttelton, Christchurch. Leveraging our national expertise and Road Science’s process culture, this PMB plant will replicate the excellent polymer modification produced at our Mount Maunganui plant. The Lyttelton PMB plant can manufacture 20 tonne of premium PMB product per hour. This will ensure we can provide Road Science PMB to our customers across the South Island.
Congratulations to everyone involved in this project!
Partnership with EnviroNZ
1 January 2019
Road Science is committed to developing real solutions to technical and business challenges faced in Aotearoa New Zealand. Developing practical and cost effective solutions to sustainability challenges remains front and centre for our technical development team. Reducing solid waste to landfill and reducing our carbon footprint while providing high quality cost effective outcomes is extremely positive for NZ Inc. We recently announced our partnership with EnviroNZ to investigate the use of waste plastic in New Zealand’s roading products.
Here's an update on the exciting progress we have made so far! feelingproud, Darcy Rogers, Simeon Hall
Our Road Science team have only gone and created their own weather prediction service app, which will assist sealing crews with where and when they should be spraying their emulsion product!
The app, also known as Zeus, is already being used by a number of our teams - who have been loving it. The app was three years in the making for our tech savvy team and is now ready for download on both android and the app store, usable on both desktop and mobile!
To find out more, everything you need to know can be found on their website: https://bit.ly/3iMob2o
#zeus #weatherforecast #technology #capability #transport #roads #roadscience