thinkWhere Online Mapper Connects Aberdeen Bypass Project

Working alongside AWPR Construction Joint Venture (the CJV), technology company thinkWhere is helping to improve collaboration and communication on Scotland’s largest road infrastructure project currently under construction. Providing online access to multiple layers of live project maps and geographical data, thinkWhere’s groundMapper software is an easy to use tool for a diverse and dispersed workforce. Using the web-based viewer, construction workers, managers and stakeholders on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie-Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) project, can instantly access up-to-date constraint maps saving valuable time and money.

“The project is being built across a vast area and, given the vast array of datasets available, we needed a solution that would allow us to effectively access, share and communicate geographically referenced information in real time,” commented Angela Gardner, Environmental Manager for the CJV.

Developed by thinkWhere, groundMapper is an online Geographical Information System (GIS) viewer that brings together location based data. Described by the CJV’s GIS specialist, Annie Meyer, as like managing the project as “Google Maps for the AWPR/B-T”, groundMapper allows users to search for and view multiple datasets. Hosted on a dedicated website, data accessible via groundMapper includes, for example, aerial photographs, private water supplies, ecological features, blasting areas and site office locations, all overlaid on the basic route layout. Users can search the online datasets by postcode, drawing sheet reference, chainage or structure and then quickly get an overview of all features within the vicinity.

“Using thinkWhere’s groundMapper tool we can instantly access the most up to date constraint data and we have dramatically reduced the need to produce costly and time consuming paper maps, and the associated paper waste,” continued Gardner. “Additional functionality such as the bookmarking tool, annotation and map management functions, combined with its easy online accessibility and integrated base maps, has made groundMapper one of the key management tools for this project; useful from a site level right up to the board room.”

The AWPR/B-T project, which is being funded by Transport Scotland, Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council, will see the construction of 58 kilometres of new dual carriageway around the city of Aberdeen. When complete, the AWPR/B-T will help to reduce congestion, cut journey times, improve safety and lower pollution in Aberdeen City Centre. Over the next three decades, the AWPR/B-T is expected to bring in an additional £6 billion to the north-east economy and create around 14,000 new jobs.

Aberdeen Roads Limited was awarded the contract to design, build, finance and operate the project in December 2014 and appointed the CJV as New Works Contractor.

Contacts:
Fiona Thomas, Business Development Manager, on +44(0)1786 476060 or [email protected]
www.thinkwhere.com