Plow technology utilised for the installation of Intelligent Transport System for the New Perth - Bunbury Highway

Underground Services Australia (USA) has recently completed the installation of the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) for the Southern Gateway Alliance (SGA) for the new Perth to Bunbury Highway.

USA Project Manager Steve Thompson said that the plow technology was a perfect solution for the installation of the ITS system as the installation rate and the low impact allowed the construction teams to start later and still finish earlier that what would be achievable by open excavation, he also commented that this is the first ITS system installed in Australia with the new plow technology.

On site supervisor Anthony Rayner said that the plow process reduced the on site construction period and risk. “Compared to the alternative open cut installation method, plowing is extremely safe,” said Mr Rayner. “As there are reduced safety hazards, such as open trenches and following machinery, workers, the general public and animals can safely cross the installation immediately the plow has passed through.

The Plow technology is known as a trenchless technology (no trenches); it uses a specially designed vibratory blade / tyne that is pulled through the ground at a pre-set depth. The cable and pipe is laid immediately behind the plowing blade with an automatic sanding hopper installing sand under, over and around the cable and conduit as it moves along. The machine has an onboard Global Positioning System (GPS) displaying the proposed route line as well as mapping the depth and positioning of the cable or pipe being installed.

The overall scope of works completed by USA consisted of some 50 kilometers of plowing, 14 kilometers of trenching, 7 kilometers of directional drilling and the installation of in excess of 200 communication pits.

At the completion of Underground Services Australia’s contract, MRWA will have dedicated fibre optic infrastructure along the NPBH to enable communications between the Traffic Operations Centre (TOC) and the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) located on the NPBH.

Tony Cariss from SGA said that the Plow Technology employed by Underground Services Australia has contributed significantly to the success of the project and aided in the anticipated completion of the highway well ahead of schedule in 2009.