A detailed construction environmental management plan has been developed by McConnell Dowell to define how construction impacts are effectively monitored, managed, and mitigated.
Part of this plan involves a smart device that provides real-time data allowing builders to monitor and manage construction impacts on the community surrounding the site.
Known as Site Hive, the device can identify the source/s of construction noise and provide clear graphical reporting of the situation on site remotely. This allows work to be altered to minimise impacts on nearby areas.
It is being used on the Australian Rail Track Corporation’s (ARTC) Inland Rail project, according to Ed Walker, Victoria, and South Australia Projects General Manager.
“We are using a range of cutting-edge technologies …. [and] the Site Hive allows us to keep on top of noise and vibration spikes,” he said.
Steve Eeles, McConnell Dowell Environmental Manager, revealed the device recently detected elevated levels of dust on the ARTC site so they were able to respond quickly by increasing the use of the water cart.
Construction activity is ramping up at ARTC sites at Glenrowan, Barnawartha North, Wangaratta, and Seymour, Eeles added, so the device will be used.
McConnell Dowell intends to keep local residents informed of upcoming construction activity and try to keep noise and vibration disruption to a minimum.
Image: Steve Eeles with the Site Hive device.
About the author
Desi Corbett
Desi is our weekly news journalist and the editor of Concrete in Australia magazine for 10 years. She has been heavily involved in all forms of engineering since 2013; part of a 30-year writing career across a range of subjects and media.