MOBA UK and Highway Data Systems (HDS) have formed a joint venture to provide road builders with a unique service that combines MOBA’s state-of-the-art sensing technology and HDS/MATest’s world-class materials testing that, together, will ensure that highways are built to the very highest standards.

The partnership between MOBA and HDS marks the start of an on-going R&D programme that will deliver robust systems that will give greater oversight of the paving process. The considerable benefits to road builders means that comprehensive data can be automatically gathered during paving operations which can then be incorporated into PMS and BIM systems. UKAS accredited reports can also be generated. The net result is that the client has a greater insight into the construction process whilst also significantly reducing the need for on-site quality control personnel.

IMAGE ABOVE: Asphalt paver with PAVE-IR Scan

MOBA UK’s Managing Director Ian Lewis said: “Our partnership with HDS / MATtest represents a tremendous opportunity for road constructors to benefit from the combination of best-in-class sensing technology and proven reporting and materials testing. What they will also appreciate is that there is no capital expenditure required as the MOBA sensing equipment will be rented out for the duration of the project and thus treated as a service charge”.

Joe Charlesworth, Director of Highway Data Systems, commented, “The constant feedback we receive from the road building agencies and contractors tells us that by bundling together hardware, software and reporting will now uniquely position MOBA and MATtest as the go-to companies for expert, and cost-efficient, analysis of the entire paving process”.

IMAGE ABOVE: Roller report example

MOBA’s sophisticated hardware is used to capture data from a range of sensors on the paving machine which is then sent to a cloud server for integration with the client’s plant data by HDS to produce comprehensive reports in geospatial and spreadsheet formats. Compaction data is also captured from rollers using M2M technology to give a complete overview of the paving process from start to finish. Through the process of automation, fewer on-site quality control staff will be required, providing the client with additional cost-saving opportunities. HDS then delivers post-paving quality control testing using its vehicle mounted systems which are able to measure surface regularity and macro texture at traffic speed, further reducing the need for site staff.