Large projects — especially those using alternative delivery methods — are becoming increasingly complex and more demanding. In this article, , Â鶹TVÍřվ’ Northwest Business Leader, discusses how advancements in quality management technology can make a project run smoothly and improve outcomes.

One of our clients needed help managing a complex fish passage program with many variables. Highway culverts, designed to carry water under roads, often obstruct fish passage due to their height, insufficient depth or excessive water flow. Adding more layers of intricacy, each fish passage project is unique and requires evaluating existing conditions and collaborating with many stakeholders, in this case, Native Americans, state fish and wildlife departments and nearby property owners.

With so many moving parts, technology can help. And although technological advancement in construction has trailed other sectors, it’s gaining momentum. For this program, I recommended a tool called Smartsheet, a quality management platform Â鶹TVÍřŐľ uses that offers real-time, actionable insights, enhancing transparency for all stakeholders by giving everyone access to all project-related documents.

One of Smartsheet’s standout features is its customizable, project-specific dashboard that provides clients and owners with view-only access, ensuring data integrity. This feature is especially beneficial for managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders, allowing us to maintain control over data inputs while providing transparent access to project progress and documentation.

A peek at Smartsheet’s Quality Management Dashboard.

That transparency is paramount to our success. From the outset, we establish a robust quality management system, adapting to evolving needs during construction, making necessary updates and ensuring compliance with all standards. This positions the project or program as “audit ready.” By not missing any testing for statistical analysis, accepting all materials on site and maintaining all applicable documentation, we consistently pass audits with flying colors, reducing rework.

Digital tools such as Smartsheet allow us to execute progressive design-build projects efficiently, meeting accelerated timelines with precision. The tool has been invaluable on large alternative delivery projects where a standard quality management approach would surely fail. The potential for scaling Smartsheet across other projects and markets is immense. By establishing a standard platform, our quality management processes remain consistent, regardless of the project or client. This approach not only boosts efficiency but also strengthens our reputation for delivering high-quality, transparent and audit-ready projects.

The integration of Smartsheet into our project management processes at Â鶹TVÍřŐľ has been transformative. By fostering transparency, enhancing efficiency and ensuring consistent quality, Smartsheet has helped position us as an industry leader. As we continue to innovate and refine our processes, the lessons learned from integrating Smartsheet will guide our future projects, ensuring that we consistently deliver exceptional results.

Don’t just keep pace with industry evolution — take charge! Contact us today to learn more about our industry-leading quality management program.

Q&A: As a Survey Instrumentation Specialist and Project Manager, Piotr Jaszczak understands how Automated Monitoring Total Stations (AMTS) enhance precision and efficiency in complex landscapes. We sat down with Piotr to learn more about the use of this evolving technology.

In the summer of 2021, a Seattle Convention Center project team celebrated a major milestone with the completion of the .

Completed over three years, this $1.9-billion project involved the installation of 21,000 tons of steel, effectively doubling the venue’s capacity.

The project also revitalized four city blocks with new sidewalks, lighting, retail spaces, and landscaping, enhancing the pedestrian experience while contributing to a more vibrant downtown Seattle.

A key factor behind the project’s success was setting up Automated Monitoring Total Stations (AMTS) throughout the project site. These surveying tools provide high precision and real-time data for enhanced safety.

Read further to discover how Piotr leveraged AMTS technology to deliver this steel superstructure.

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Tell us about your role in the Seattle Convention Center Expansion project.

My primary role involved overseeing the installation and operation of Automated Monitoring Total Stations (AMTS) to ensure the stability of the projects extensive shoring system. This included setting up the equipment, calibrating it, and monitoring the data to detect any shifts or movements that could indicate potential issues.

What exactly are AMTS and how do they work?

An AMTS is a high-tech instrument used to monitor the stability and movement of structures with extreme precision.

It functions much like a highly accurate land surveying total station mounted on a sturdy stand. The process involves placing reflective targets on the monitored objects and taking measurements at regular intervals — sometimes as frequently as every 15 minutes.

The data collected provides real-time insights into any shifts or deformations, allowing us to take immediate action if needed.

How do AMTS enhance precision measurement and safety in construction projects?

AMTS significantly improve precision by providing redundancy and continuous, real-time data. This allows us to detect even the smallest movements or shifts, which might go unnoticed with traditional surveying methods. The real-time aspect is crucial for safety as it enables early detection of potential structural issues, allowing for quick intervention to prevent accidents or structural failures.

What are some other benefits of using AMTS over traditional surveying methods?

The primary benefits include higher precision, real-time data collection, multiple readings per day, obtaining readings in 24/7 regime, and enhanced safety. Traditional methods often require manual measurements, which can be time-consuming and less accurate.

AMTS automate this process, ensuring consistent and accurate data while freeing up human resources for other critical tasks. Additionally, the continuous monitoring capability means that we can react faster to any detected anomalies, thereby mitigating risks more effectively.

Can you share some examples of how AMTS have been used in different types of projects?

AMTS can be used to monitor wall deformations, structural settlement, and shoring stability. In tunnel construction, AMTS can monitor convergence to ensure the tunnel walls are stable. In bridge construction, they can track any shifts in the structure that might indicate a need for reinforcement. They’re also useful in mining operations to monitor surface settlement and ensure the safety of workers.

What makes AMTS technology durable and suitable for different environmental conditions?

Units are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions. They typically have an IP65 or higher rating, meaning they are resistant to dust and water.

They can also operate in a wide temperature range from -20°C to +50°C — and these systems often come with battery backups and can be powered by solar panels, making them reliable even in remote or hard and dangerous to access locations.

How does the integration online accessible database improve the functionality of AMTS?

It allows AMTS to analyze data more intelligently and predict potential issues before they become significant problems. These functionalities help identify patterns and trends in the data that may not be immediately obvious to analysts using small sample datasets. Predictiveness is critical for proactive maintenance and ensuring long-term structural integrity.

What advice would you give to clients looking to incorporate AMTS into their projects?

First, talk with us to ensure we all have a clear understanding of your project’s specific needs and how AMTS can address them. Continuous monitoring done by an experienced personnel is essential to get accurate and reliable data. Lastly, always stay open to the latest advancements in the technology and out of the box solutions to maximize the benefits for your project.

How do you see the future of geospatial surveying and precision measurement evolving with advancements in technology?

The future is incredibly promising. With advancements in technology, data processing, and remote sensing techniques, we can expect even greater accuracy and efficiency.

These technologies will enable more automated and smarter surveying solutions, reducing human error and increasing safety. I believe we’ll see more integration of these tools in various industries, making them standard practice in construction, mining, and infrastructure projects.

AMTS are becoming every year more substantial to the success and safety of the construction projects in the field. If you’re interested in learning more about how these technologies can benefit your projects, reach out to our team of experts.

ATLAS DULUTH, GA — When Felecia Basolo opens her dashboard, an onslaught of information overwhelms the screen.

“There are hundreds, maybe even thousands of people involved with federal aid,” she said. “I just try to keep all the chaos moving forward.”

As Deputy Program Manager of the initiative, Felecia facilitates core activities of federally funded transportation projects.

Responsible for reporting bottlenecks to the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) Program Delivery Office, Felecia typically liaises with local agencies and municipalities on project deliverables to offset delays.

If Felecia’s team of project managers encounters potential setbacks, she intervenes to keep processes moving.

Yet the duration of federal aid projects largely depends on their complexity and can last five to 10 years.

“The majority of our work so far has involved bringing cities up to more pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly standards,” she said. “Making downtown districts safer, road-widening projects, intersection improvements, that sort of thing.”

To keep pace, Felecia helps partner agencies walk through stringent federal requirements, as noncompliance by local parties remains a well-documented risk area.

“We provide support for various external entities in need. We often jump into unforeseen situations to support community staff, and other team members, because we understand that unique situations occur,” she said. “It’s based on community needs.”

But agency officials aren’t the only people Felecia advises.

Under , Felecia upskills GDOT personnel, too.

“After GDOT employees [and other clients] are onboarded, the learning begins. Our team is blessed with lots of experience, and that’s where our strength lies,” Felecia said. “We’re able to talk [new employees] through complex scenarios and show them how things work.”

Between former Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Engineer, Wright Aldridge, former GDOT Engineer, Mark Lawing, and others, the team holds more than 150 cumulative years of experience.

“There’s a built-in wealth there,” she said. “I can walk around the corner and talk to the person who implemented policies numerous times so that I can effectively communicate [policy] nuances to others.”

Still, each project poses its own set of distinct challenges. The majority of issues Felecia encounters are communication-based rather than technical.

“We learn from these types of hiccups, we can manage them easier whenever they come up again,” she said.

One particular lesson learned would’ve cost a project valuable time to rectify.

Felecia noticed that the Atlanta Police Department (APD) hadn’t been notified of a in downtown Atlanta. The project would conflict with adjacent security and traffic cameras.

“When we move the poles or do any work with the signalization, we have to account for how it may affect things like attached cameras and video cables,” she said. “They all exist on the same electric grid.”

Shortly after detecting the discrepancy, Felecia was able to connect the designer to APD and transfer information that led to a plan to mitigate the conflicts.

Felecia characterizes these lessons as invaluable.

“When things fall through and we learn what not to do, it’s actually more beneficial,” she said. “If we’re able to apply these lessons to upcoming projects, that’s a win.”

LAPs make up 20 percent of Georgia’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. FHWA data suggest that LAPs across 45 states will involve in federal aid within a couple of years.

Getting through intricate processes like environmental reviews and public comment periods tends to prolong new construction projects.

But with Felecia’s help, resource-limited agencies can access guidance to keep federally funded infrastructure plans moving.

“It goes beyond the pavement. The services we provide help bring amazing projects to fruition,” she said. “I’m just thankful I get to be a part of it.”

Felecia Basolo holds licenses in Project Management (PMP) and Professional Engineering (PE). She grew up in an Illinois town of 600 people, where she excelled in math, science, and physics at an early age. She was formerly with the Illinois Department of Transportation and began her career at Â鶹TVÍřŐľ in 2006. She graduated from Southern Illinois University with a bachelor’s in Civil Engineering and went on to Brenau University to obtain a master’s in Business Administration.