3 ways today's research will improve bridges of the future

New materials, novel construction techniques and advanced data capture are just a few of the tactics engineers today are using to increase bridges' lifespans.

By Hallie Busta • Sept. 27, 2017

How drones handle Irma and Harvey recovery will impact their long-term prospects

The Federal Aviation Administration green-lighted hundreds of approvals for state, local and federal agencies to use small UAVs for damage assessment.

By Mary Tyler March • Sept. 27, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

Construction Technology

As construction technology continues to evolve, here’s what savvy contractors need to know.

By Construction Dive staff

Modular builder Katerra plans mass-timber plant

The move aims to help scale production of CLT and could see the multifamily builder entering new categories, such as hospitality and retail.

By Hallie Busta • Sept. 27, 2017

This concept timber tower would filter water in NYC

The tower's lattice structure is made up of a glulam helix, a structural steel core, a transparent PVC skin and a concrete base and stabilizing cables.

By Hallie Busta • Sept. 27, 2017

How infrastructure can improve mass evacuations

The quality of highways, services and communications at the state and local levels can determine how efficient and effective a large-scale exodus can be.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 26, 2017

Hyperloop One's $85M investment raises valuation to $700M

The company still faces challenges from the hefty cost and difficult nature of acquiring land, as well as growing competition to develop the new transit type.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 25, 2017

A missing link: Connecting construction sites to the cloud

Contractors are trading fax machines and overnight couriers for real-time communication technology, raising new questions about access and security.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 21, 2017

Con-tech investors put $2.3M into prefab startup ManufactOn

The investment community is growing its stake in construction software, particularly where workflow management is concerned.

By Hallie Busta • Sept. 20, 2017

Caterpillar plans to scale up autonomous truck fleet

The equipment maker's move is a likely catalyst for self-driving vehicles to make their entrance on construction sites in the coming years.

By Mary Tyler March • Sept. 20, 2017

McCarthy and PrecisionHawk partner on drone analysis software

The contractor will use the drone software maker’s platform to create 3-D and 4-D models for productivity tracking, site surveying, schedule management and more.

By Hallie Busta • Sept. 20, 2017

Downtown Atlanta adds a 2.3-mile stretch of smart road

The $3 million project uses adaptive traffic signals, high-definition video and technology that gives emergency vehicles priority to improve traffic flow.

By Hallie Busta • Sept. 20, 2017

How PCL's PartsLab Revit plug-in aims to increase productivity

The free BIM tool makes it easier to track changes to a building's design during the construction process.

By Mary Tyler March • Sept. 20, 2017

Senators introduce measure to spur transit innovation

The bill is modeled after the Obama-era Smart City Challenge, which rewarded communities for breaking new ground in transportation.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 19, 2017

NYC mayor targets large buildings in proposed efficiency program

If approved, the program would require more than 14,000 buildings in the city to make significant retrofits by 2030.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 19, 2017

Hyperloop One names 4 potential US routes

The company will allocate resources to 10 teams worldwide to find the top three commercially viable routes, with the goal of having them operational by 2021.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 18, 2017

Why supertall towers have super-fast elevators

Even if the heights of the latest showpiece towers seem unnecessary, the restrictions they place on building systems have driven improvements in efficiency.

By Hallie Busta • Sept. 13, 2017

Intel's Insight drone services platform could improve field data analysis

The cloud-based software, which can detect changes occurring between inspection rounds, represents continued development of the emerging technology.

By Mary Tyler March • Sept. 13, 2017

The Mercedes-Benz Stadium's oculus roof could open Sunday

Further adjustments are needed to speed up the opening process from the hour or more it currently takes to the intended 12 minutes. 

By Hallie Busta • Sept. 13, 2017

How autonomous vehicles use simulations to prepare for the real world

Companies like Google's parent Alphabet are building out digital scenarios featuring the same distractions and adverse conditions found on typical roads.

By Mary Tyler March • Sept. 13, 2017

USDOT announces voluntary rules for self-driving cars

The release marks another step forward in the push to accelerate CAV development.

By Mary Tyler March • Sept. 12, 2017

Attention to detail from the deck-up in California's wine country

The E&J Gallo Winery needed a roof that would perform year after year through the intense California sun, heat and dust.

Sept. 12, 2017

Tall buildings group to study high-rise fires in wake of Grenfell inferno

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat will look at tall-building facades and related fires in the hopes of developing new prevention solutions.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 7, 2017

IA DOT tests novel piers for Mississippi River bridge crossing

The Y-shaped structures use intersecting steel and concrete, which pushed the project team to make a mockup to check performance.

By Hallie Busta • Sept. 6, 2017

After Harvey, drones take flight over Houston

How the emerging technology performs during recovery and rebuilding efforts could have a significant impact on its long-term uptake.

By Hallie Busta • Sept. 6, 2017

House approves bill to speed autonomous vehicle development

A bipartisan Senate group is planning similar legislation, and it's likely the two bills will come to a head over issues like job creation and safety.

By Hallie Busta • Sept. 6, 2017