Sinclair Knight Merz
The Geelong Bypass is a proposed freeway
extending 23 kilometers along Geelong’s western
outskirts. Drivers using the bypass between Corio
and Waurn Ponds will avoid up to 29 sets of traffic lights, and have a travel time of less than 15
minutes, compared with the current 25- to 60-
minute trip. Geeelong Bypass Section 1 is expected to handle some 15,000 vehicles a day, and
estimated cost savings in travel time, fuel, and vehicle operating costs will total $193 million.
Multiple designers used Arenium, MX,
and MicroStation on the project. The
shared software increased productivity
and assured that quality procedures were
met, saving time and minimizing design
time. SKM could provide different design
options to the client as the design
changes. MX automatically updates the
database and drawings, enabling the
designers and drafters to col-
laborate together.
The firm estimates it saved
$300,000 in travel costs
and efficiency gains, as well
as four to six weeks’ time. ;
Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) used a single MX
model for sharing 3D data for collaboration and
communication. This allows team members from
SKM and Abigroup to work together from different offices and time zones in Australia. Design
and construction programs work more efficiently
and accurately as a result of compatible systems.
East Marlborough Roundabout
CIVIL ROAD DESIGN
Traffic Planning & Design, Inc.
Traffic Planning and Design, (TPD) provided trans-
portation planning and engineering services for the
construction of a roundabout at an intersection in
Pennsylvania. Compared to a traffic signal, the
roundabout had reduced right-of-way costs and
replaced traffic-calming islands. A traffic signal
has a lifecycle of only 10 years, while the average
lifecycle for a roundabout is 25 years. The round-
about will also save at least $5000 per year in
traffic signal maintenance and electricity costs.
The use of MicroStation V8 and the Civil
Extension tools that allow collaboration were a
key in this project’s coordination. Understanding
how to track project data through the use of
design history and other MicroStation tools
enabled TPD to coordinate the Route 82 Roundabout Project within six months, which directly
resulted in time and money savings.
64 BE AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE Project Yearbook
The project was done in coordination with
PennDOT, the Federal Highway Administration,
Tilden Township, and Cabela’s. Both PennDOT
and FHWA are MicroStation users and TPD’s
knowledge and proficiency with MicroStation
and various applications played an important
role in establishing its expertise in traffic studies,
interchange design, and highway and signal
improvements. The skills and knowledge gained
through its training with Bentley also positioned
the company as an expert on PennDOT’s design
tool of choice. ;
