Q&A: Senior Rail Engineer Dave Bearse provides updates on the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety (Section 130)��Program.

This week, Dave Bearse, along with LN Manchi and Fahreen Muhammad, will be in Atlanta, Georgia, participating in the , alongside transportation leaders committed to advancing safer rail systems nationwide. As a longtime rail safety partner to GDOT, �鶹TV��վ brings nearly two decades of experience supporting GDOT’s Section 130 Program — providing technical leadership, strategic planning and collaborative coordination to identify risks and implement proven safety improvements at highway-rail grade crossings across the state. Through this work, �鶹TV��վ continues to help strengthen Georgia’s rail network while protecting the communities it serves.

Q: What’s your role in the Section 130 Program?

I serve as the technical lead for the �鶹TV��վ work within the Section 130 Program. My focus is on coordinating and overseeing the technical aspects of railroad safety improvements, working closely with GDOT, CSX Transportation (CSXT), cities, counties and other stakeholders.

Q: Could you provide some background on the Section 130 Program and its origins from your perspective?

The program originated in response to growing highway safety concerns in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when a high number of fatalities at highway-rail grade crossings promoted the federal government to invest highway safety funds in proven countermeasures such as flashing lights and gates. These improvements significantly reduced crashes and laid the foundation for today’s program, which now encompasses a broader range of safety and hazard elimination strategies — including passive warning devices, crossing eliminations, signing and pavement markings, crossing geometric improvements and incentives and construction support to facilitate crossing closures.

Q: Could you elaborate on how your team determines what crossings need improvement?

We work closely with GDOT and railroad consultants to identify crossings that need improvement. Our goal is to maximize safety benefits within the allocated funds. This involves recommending various improvements, such as flashing lights and gates, geometric improvements or suggesting the closure of certain crossings to reduce crash risks.

Q: Can you share some notable achievements or successes of the railroad safety program?

Over the years, the program has significantly reduced fatalities and crashes at railroad grade crossings. Notable achievements include the successful installation of safety features, as well as signing and marking projects to enhance awareness and visibility. �鶹TV��վ prepared the Georgia Safety Action Plan and an update that were well-received by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

Q: Can you explain the technology behind railroad crossings and how it has evolved over the years, particularly in terms of safety and monitoring?

The technology at railroad crossings has evolved significantly from electromechanical relays in the early days. By the 1980s, these were replaced with computer systems. Nowadays, new installations come with a recording system, essentially a black box, that logs every event at the crossing. Railroads can remotely monitor and analyze this data to support more efficient and safer operations.

Q: How do you determine which railroad crossings need improvements or upgrades? Are there specific criteria or factors that play a role in prioritizing these enhancements?

Prioritizing improvements involves a comprehensive evaluation. Factors include the number of trains and vehicles, the type of warning devices in place, school bus and passenger train usage and crash history. This data feeds into a prioritization system, but it’s not solely based on numerical values. There are subjective elements, like sight distance, proximity to intersections and the crest at the crossing, that contribute to the decision-making process.

Q: Could you share insights into the collaboration with CSX Transportation and how they contribute to the Section 130 Program?

CSX Transportation (CSXT) is a key partner, sharing data that aids in maintaining and updating records for GDOT. The collaboration extends to implementing safety improvements, with CSXT agreeing to maintain the signals installed by GDOT in perpetuity. This partnership highlights the shared commitment to enhancing safety at railroad crossings.

Q: How has the landscape of railroad safety changed over the years? What trends or challenges do you foresee in the future?

Railroad safety has seen significant improvements, particularly with the widespread adoption of flashing lights and gate signals. However, challenges persist, such as the need for ongoing maintenance and replacement of aging infrastructure. Looking ahead, the focus will likely shift from installing new devices to maintaining and improving existing ones so they remain effective and safe.

Q: What role does data play in your decision-making process? How has it evolved in the last decade?

Data is integral to our decision-making process. With advancements in technology, there’s now an abundance of data available, including crash records, train and vehicle counts and warning device types. This data helps us identify high-priority crossings and allocate resources effectively. The transition in recent years involves recognizing the importance of maintaining and improving existing infrastructure rather than solely focusing on installing new safety devices.

Q: Are there any specific initiatives or innovations in the railroad safety sector that you find particularly promising or impactful?

The continuous improvement in technology, such as remote monitoring and recording systems, holds promise for enhancing railroad safety. Additionally, the industry’s recognition of the need to transition from installing new devices to maintaining and improving existing ones is a positive shift. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect further innovations that contribute to the overall safety and efficiency of railroad crossings.

, recognized March 15-21, celebrates the essential role surveyors play in measuring, mapping and understanding our world. LiDAR and drone-based technologies represent the next evolution of this profession, giving surveyors new tools that dramatically enhance accuracy, safety and efficiency. This year’s theme, “Celebrating 250 Years of Mapping America,” gives a nod to the surveyors that explored, documented and defined the land that became the United States. In honor of this special week, we connected with �鶹TV��վ Practice Team Manager for Survey Mapping & Geomatics Todd Harris and Geophysics Practice Team Manager and Project Geophysicist Ty Atmaca to learn more about Aerial LiDAR and drone geophysics technologies — how they work, the types of projects they can be used on, their benefits and more.��

While traditional surveying required crews to physically access sites and manually gather data points — often over multiple days or even weeks — LiDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging, now enables surveyors to capture millions of data points in a single scan, producing highly precise 3D models of real-world environments.

These advancements reflect the same core mission that National Surveyors Week celebrates —delivering reliable, precise and meaningful spatial information. Although National Surveyor Week highlights the heritage and importance of the surveying profession, LiDAR and drone-based survey technologies showcase how the profession continues to innovate, evolve and expand its impact today. The methods may have changed over the years, but the technology being used today enables surveyors to accomplish the same goal in a more efficient and arguably safer way.

• Safer: Today’s technology reduces the need for surveyors to enter hazardous or hard-to-reach areas like levees, bridge piles, unstable terrain or inaccessible industrial structures.
• Faster: Ariel and terrestrial LiDAR make it possible to collect data in days, as opposed to weeks or months.
• Smarter: LiDAR makes it possible to generate richer datasets that support better planning, engineering and environmental decisions.

Q: How did your background lead you into LiDAR data collection and drone-based surveying? ��

Todd: I spent most of my career performing conventional surveys for transportation, commercial, industrial and residential projects — everything from right-of-way and boundary work to processing topographic data and supporting construction staking. Through that work, I frequently collaborated with the Advanced Measurements team, gaining experience with both aerial and terrestrial LiDAR capabilities.

In 2023, I earned my FAA Part 107 UAS license and completed LiDAR technician training, learning the full workflow from data capture to data processing to 3D model production across projects, including Federal Highway Administration bridge inspections, site development and topographic surveys.

Ty: My introduction to drone-based geophysics began in 2024 when our team was awarded a major project. That experience opened my eyes to the potential of drone geophysics, and I quickly became fascinated by the idea that you can fly a drone, apply geophysical methods and gain insight into what lies beneath the ground.

Motivated by that project, I earned my drone pilot license and began combining my geophysics background with drone-based surveying technologies. Since then, I have attended numerous drone geophysics conferences and presented several case studies highlighting �鶹TV��վ’ work.

As a geophysicist, it’s exciting to see how much capability drones bring into the field. They enable the efficient collection of high-resolution data and offer new ways to investigate the subsurface — approaches that were difficult or impossible to achieve using traditional methods alone.

Q: What do you consider the biggest advantages of drone-based survey technologies and LiDAR?

Ty: I have had the opportunity to present on this topic numerous times, and I always highlight that drone-based technologies offer several major advantages over traditional ground surveys. Most important, they significantly improve safety by eliminating the need for field staff to enter hazardous or hard-to-reach terrain. Drones can easily access areas that would otherwise be unsafe or inaccessible.

Drone surveys can also be conducted at ultra-low altitudes, enabling the collection of extremely high-resolution data with improved spatial density and stronger signal quality. This leads to better coverage and more detailed mapping of the surface and subsurface conditions. They are also faster and more cost-efficient, allowing projects to be completed more quickly while reducing the risk of property disturbance or damage.

Another important advantage is the ability to repeat surveys over time. This capability makes it possible to track landscape or subsurface changes and detect temporal variations that might otherwise go undetected. Overall, drone-based surveying allows rapid data collection and delivers high-quality results with quick turnaround.

Like any technology, drones have limitations. Weather, airspace restrictions and flight endurance can all affect operations. In some cases, the best outcomes are achieved by pairing drone surveys with traditional ground-based methods to achieve the most comprehensive results.

Todd: The most dramatic advantage of LiDAR is the speed and efficiency of collecting data. A conventional survey might collect approximately 2,000 points in the time it takes LiDAR to collect 500 million. Projects that previously required more than 10 days can now be completed in just two — one for data collection and one for processing. Large-area surveys that once took months are now finished in days.

LiDAR also excels in challenging or hazardous environments, such as levees, inaccessible dock/fender systems on major waterways, steep terrain, unstable ground or high-traffic zones. It reduces the need for crews to physically enter dangerous or hard-to-reach areas.

Cagatay “Ty” Atmaca

Q: What kinds of projects are best suited for LiDAR and drone-based surveying? Where has �鶹TV��վ applied this technology so far?

Ty: At �鶹TV��վ, our drone-based surveying program is particularly well suited for environmental and energy-related investigations. One of our primary applications is orphan well locating, where we use drone-mounted magnetometers, such as the IF1200A platform equipped with the MagArrow II system, to detect buried well casings and other ferrous infrastructure. This approach allows us to efficiently survey large areas and identify wells that may not be visible at the surface, helping agencies address environmental and safety concerns associated with undocumented or abandoned wells.

Another important application is methane gas detection. Drones enable rapid scanning of wide areas to identify potential gas emissions, which is particularly valuable for landfill monitoring, where detecting methane leaks and monitoring emission patterns are critical for environmental compliance and safety.

Drone-based technologies are also highly effective for landfill characterization and monitoring. By flying at ultra-low altitudes, we can collect high-resolution geophysical and spatial data to map site conditions, detect subsurface anomalies and support environmental assessments – all while improving safety, efficiency and coverage compared to traditional ground-based surveys.

By integrating advanced drone platforms like the IF1200A with the MagArrow II magnetometer, �鶹TV��վ delivers rapid, high-resolution data for projects involving orphan well detection, methane monitoring and landfill investigations.

Todd: Additionally, LiDAR is ideal for any project that requires high-precision spatial data and strong visual documentation. �鶹TV��վ uses LiDAR across a wide range of project types, from coastal protection and site development to agricultural fields, transportation corridors and landfills. It also supports applications like methane monitoring, orphan well locating, residential planning, stockpile measurements and structural analysis of existing facilities.

Beyond these applications, LiDAR is exceptionally effective for drainage analysis, where understanding terrain and subtle elevation changes is essential. By generating a digital terrain model (DTM), teams can proactively identify and address potential drainage issues before construction begins.

Q: Can you describe a recent high-impact project where LiDAR and drone technology made a meaningful difference?

Ty: One recent example involved a project focused on orphan well locating and methane gas detection in a remote, mountainous area. The client provided coordinates for a potential well site located at the top of a mountain — an unexpected location that initially left many of us skeptical that an orphan well would be present there.

After flying our drone equipped with a magnetometer, however, we detected a clear magnetic anomaly consistent with a buried well casing. The data allowed us to pinpoint the likely location of the well, and the client was very pleased with the results. It was a strong demonstration of how drone-based geophysics can reveal subsurface features that would be very difficult to identify through traditional methods.

Another impactful finding from the same project involved detecting a fully buried orphan well that was actively leaking gas. By integrating drone-based geophysics with ground-based geophysical surveys, we were able to accurately locate and confirm the well’s position. This combined approach enabled us to efficiently identify environmental hazards and provide our clients with clear, actionable information.

Todd: We utilized the aerial LiDAR system on an 850-acre site where the client planned to develop a 245 MW AI data center. Instead of the data collection phase taking months using conventional GPS technology, we gathered all terrain data in three days, processed and quality-checked the data in two weeks and delivered the surface (DTM) model to the client well ahead of schedule. The high level of detail captured by the aerial system clearly represented the numerous bluffs and drainage features across the property — features that would have been very difficult for conventional field crews to locate, access or traverse.

Q: Have you run into challenges using drone-based technology, and how did �鶹TV��վ overcome them?

Ty: One of the main challenges we encounter on drone-based projects involves site conditions, access limitations and permitting requirements. Many of the areas we survey are remote, environmentally sensitive or located near regulated airspace, all of which require careful planning before any flights can occur.

For example, during a project in Arizona, we needed to secure multiple permits and approvals before completing the survey. This included coordination with the local airport, military authorities, border patrol, the city and the landowner. Managing these approvals required extensive communication and detailed planning.

Despite the complexity, our team successfully navigated all requirements and completed the project. Experiences like this have strengthened our expertise in regulatory coordination and operational planning, enabling �鶹TV��վ to conduct drone surveys safely and efficiently even in highly regulated environments.

Q: Beyond environmental and industrial applications, where else has LiDAR proven valuable at �鶹TV��վ so far?

Ty: Beyond traditional environmental and industrial applications, LiDAR and drone-based technologies have also proven highly valuable for landfill investigations and geohazard studies. We frequently use drone platforms to support landfill projects, where high-resolution surface mapping and geophysical data can help evaluate site conditions, monitor changes over time and guide environmental management efforts.

We have also explored drone-based geophysics for lava tube detection. Lava tubes often produce measurable magnetic anomalies due to variations in the surrounding volcanic rock, and drone-mounted magnetometers can efficiently identify these signals across large areas. By flying at low altitudes and collecting dense datasets, drones offer a promising method for detecting and mapping potential subsurface voids, such as lava tubes.

Together, these applications demonstrate how integrating LiDAR with drone-based geophysical sensors can extend far beyond traditional uses, supporting innovative approaches to geological and environmental investigations.

Todd: On another key project, �鶹TV��վ supported survey control, geotechnical investigations, aerial LiDAR for design and aerial LiDAR-based earthwork quantity tracking for the development of a new nuclear power facility. Because the site is located within an 800-square-mile area managed by federal authorities, all unmanned aerial system (UAS) operations required extensive coordination to obtain flight permission. With numerous unmanned aircraft activities occurring within the restricted airspace, �鶹TV��վ worked closely with site representatives and pilots to maintain safe, compliant and well-coordinated operations throughout the project.����

Project wins Engineering Excellence Award.

Faced with aging equipment and outdated technology, Caltrans needed a new way to measure friction on its roadways and bridges to keep California drivers safe. The agency identified Continuous Friction Measurement Equipment (CFME), a new technology that continuously collects friction data under walking speeds, as an alternative to measuring skid resistance.

Caltrans turned to �鶹TV��վ and GritForce Inc. to conduct a thorough investigation—comparing the device historically used to collect this data—the California Portable Skid Tester (CA PST)—to the new CFME device. ���鶹TV��վ worked collaboratively with Caltrans and industry partners to assess equipment performance by implementing specialized friction surveys, examining the unique capabilities of CFMEs across a range of road surfaces, including asphalt and concrete pavements along bridge decks.

Findings from these efforts informed updates to CT 342, Caltrans’ specification for skid resistance monitoring. Pavement friction plays a critical role in keeping California’s roads safer because friction affects how vehicles interact with the road. By testing pavement friction, especially on bridges or locations where vehicles are turning, slowing and stopping, Caltrans is protecting its community and helping to prevent roadway collisions by modernizing its friction measurement technology that has been in place since the 1950s.

�鶹TV��վ received a Commendation Award in the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) California in its 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards competition, for its partnership with Caltrans on this public safety project. The award recognizes �鶹TV��վ’ role in helping Caltrans modernize its measurement tools for monitoring roadway friction.

“�鶹TV��վ has been recognized locally and nationally for our strong collaboration with Caltrans to advance roadway safety through innovative technology,” said Jacque Hinman, �鶹TV��վ CEO. “We are honored to see this new technology receive industry recognition advancing public safety standards.”

Elevating Construction Quality with Technology and Process Innovation

With experience leading quality acceptance programs on billion-dollar infrastructure projects like the TxDOT and FlatironDragados New Harbor Bridge, Barry Burks, P.E., is shaping how advanced technology integrates into quality workflows — helping clients reduce risk and accelerate the acceptance inspection and testing processes in the field.

Tell us about your role at �鶹TV��վ and how it connects to shaping solutions for transportation infrastructure.����

As Construction Quality Acceptance Manager, my role begins with developing project-specific Quality Acceptance procedures within the Construction Quality Management Plan. These procedures establish how inspection and testing will be performed across a project’s construction lifecycle. By embedding technology, such as digital inspection forms or automated error checking, directly into those processes, we create efficiencies that save time and cost while maintaining the quality standards clients expect.��

Looking back, what pivotal experience most shaped your career in quality management?��

Working with Dr. Garold Oberlender during my master’s program at Oklahoma State University was transformative. He taught me how reducing the duration of repetitive critical path activities can dramatically impact an entire project’s construction timeline.����

That insight has driven my focus for the past twenty years: finding the smartest application of technology to reduce the duration and cost of hold point activities by speeding up inspection and materials testing. It’s about identifying bottlenecks that slow everything down and systematically eliminating them through better tools and processes.����

You’ll be speaking at on integrating technology into workflows. What’s the biggest challenge and opportunity you see in automation and technology adoption?��

The biggest hurdle is economic timing. Often, adopting new technologies requires upfront investments in equipment, software and training that may take several months to show offsetting efficiencies and cost savings.����

The key is to present stakeholders with a clear, early picture of both the costs and long-term benefits. When people understand the full value proposition, the likelihood of acceptance and successful implementation is improved. You need to build the business case alongside the technical case.����

When clients are rolling out new technologies in QA/QC, how do you help ensure processes deliver results?��

Technology is only as good as the people using it and the processes supporting it. We ensure that every technology rollout includes comprehensive initial training, then reinforce those processes during Pre-Activity meetings before each new work type begins.����

You need to embed the technology into daily workflows and provide ongoing support. The best technology won’t help if your team doesn’t understand how to use it effectively or why it matters.��

Can you share a project that highlights how �鶹TV��վ delivers quality through both process and innovation?��

The new Harbor Bridge Project is a perfect example of technology and process working together. At 3,200+ feet long and 538 feet tall, it’s the longest concrete segmental cable-stayed bridge in North America. Coordinating quality across 15+ fabrication facilities presented unique challenges.����

We equipped each of our inspection staff with tablet computers and electronic forms, enabling them to complete daily inspection reports and related testing forms directly in the field. These tools reduced documentation time for inspectors while significantly reducing risks through automated error checking of test results.����

When you’re managing the quality acceptance of a $1.3 billion project with components coming from facilities across the U.S. and abroad, every efficiency matters. The technology helped us maintain consistent quality standards while keeping the project moving forward. ��

What motivates you in your work every day?��

For me, it’s seeing a well-thought-through procedure put into action in the field or lab and knowing it leads to timely acceptance of the work. It shows that the effort spent planning and preparing pays off, and it helps our projects move forward without unnecessary delays.��

Every day, we’re contributing to infrastructure that communities will rely on for decades. Knowing that our quality processes contribute to safer, more durable bridges, roads and facilities drives me.����

Outside of work, where do you find inspiration?��

I’m constantly reading journal articles and watching videos and documentaries about emerging technologies across various fields of science and engineering. Seeing how others achieve success through innovation in their work motivates me to explore new approaches in mine.����

Innovation comes from connecting ideas across disciplines and applying them in new contexts. Whether it’s materials science, automation or data analytics, there’s always something that can be adapted to improve construction quality processes.����

Barry Burks will join the panel discussion at Advancing Construction Quality 2025, October 6-8 in Nashville, TN. Discover how �鶹TV��վ delivers quality at scale on infrastructure projects. Learn more

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Large projects — especially those using alternative delivery methods — are becoming increasingly complex and more demanding. In this article, , �鶹TV��վ’ 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 �鶹TV��վ uses that offers real-time, actionable insights, enhancing transparency for all stakeholders by giving everyone access to all project-related documents.

“By using Smartsheet to track the remote projects involved with this complex program, we eliminated delays in testing scheduling, inspection updates and client notifications. Smartsheet gave us the ability to streamline communication and project management, ensuring timely updates and notifications.”

— Josh Earl, �鶹TV��վ’ Northwest Business Leader

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 �鶹TV��վ 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.

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