RETTEW was proud to host the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Transportation Committee for an informational meeting on Wednesday, August 25 at our Mechanicsburg, Pa office.
The meeting, titled “Protecting Our Infrastructure: Merging Technologies for More Successful Transportation Engineering,” featured several speakers presenting examples of how RETTEW and its partners are using specific technologies to advance today’s transportation projects. These technologies, such as drones, terrestrial and aquatic vehicles, high-definition scanning, and artificial intelligence, allow engineers and other contractors to work safer, smarter, and faster, while increasing savings for taxpayers and improving safety for Pennsylvania motorists.
“Saying that technology always moves faster than government is the understatement of the century,” said Transportation Committee Minority Chairman Mike Carroll.“ But we have a real opportunity to advance legislative policies that accept the reality of a changing world. Incorporating fast moving changes in technology with governmental policies is a real challenge.”
Majority Chairman Rep. Tim Hennessey presided over the meeting. Other Transportation Committee members in attendance included: Minority Chairman, Rep. Mike Carroll, Luzerne County and Lackawanna County; Rep. Mindy Fee, Lancaster County; Rep. Meghan Schroeder, Bucks County; Rep. John Lawrence, Chester County and Lancaster County; Rep. Marci Mustello, Butler County; and Rep. Doyle Heffley, Carbon County.
“Technological advancements including remote sensing, machine control, and computer vision/artificial intelligence are changing how transportation infrastructure is evaluated, designed, constructed, and maintained,” said Brian Freed, Technology Manager at RETTEW. “These advancements will help agencies like PennDOT fulfill their obligations under the federal government’s Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.”
Following Mr. Freed’s keynote, Philip Dember, Department Manager of Land Surveying, Arora and Associates, P.C., discussed using Lidar applications, also known as laser scanning, to collect precise information from a distance without requiring a person at the target location.
Allen Melley, Project Development Engineer, and Mark Kopko, Director of Transformational Technology, shared how PennDOT is incorporating technology in its processes and consultant requirements via the Digital Delivery Directive 2025 and UAS Task Force.
Other speakers included: Thom Conley, Client Relations, Kinsley Construction; Ronnie Medlock, Vice President of Technical Services, High Steel Structures, LLC; Jeff Case, Director of Transportation, RETTEW; Jatinder Singh, Director of Technology, Arora and Associates, P.C.; William Howard, Traffic Emergency Specialist, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC); and David Heath, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Drone Association.
Following lunch and networking, Mr. Freed gave a hands-on drone demonstration in RETTEW’s parking lot adjacent to the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Chairman Tim Hennessey thanked RETTEW, adding “This technology is truly fascinating and today’s meeting was very beneficial in opening our eyes to what the future holds for us.”