The Machine Control Report

May 1, 2008

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Site Prep’s exclusive study on the state of the machine control industry.

What are the benefits of using machine control on a project? What are the most popular types of positioning equipment for machine control? How much are contractors spending to acquire the technology, and how satisfied are they after their purchase? What’s the typical payback after purchasing a system?

Site Prep sought the answers to these questions and more in our first exclusive study of machine control use in the construction industry. Conducted by Clear Seas Research, a division of Site Prep’s parent company BNP Media, the study reveals current usage and significant benefits contractors are reaping from this technology--as well as future potential growth.

Current Usage

More than half of the study respondents indicate that they have been using machine control technology for two years or less. The greatest reported benefit of machine control technology is the ability to complete a job faster and within budget. Other benefits rank in the following order: a higher level of accuracy over conventional methods, fewer rework corrections, reduced staking, the ability to see the data on the in-cab screen, a proprietary edge over the competition and the ability to check data ahead of time.

Seventy percent of respondents report that the use of machine control technology increases their opportunities to bid contracts. Commercial sitework is cited as the project type the technology is most commonly used for. Currently, graders and dozers are the most likely equipment in a company’s fleet to be outfitted with machine control components. Forty-seven percent of respondents report that they have no preference when it comes to selecting an OEM system or an aftermarket solution. However, among those with a preference, significantly more prefer an OEM solution.

Cost is cited as the area contractors say needs the most improvement, followed by quality of training, open data formats for sharing electronic data, installation, support and ease of use. Accuracy was least likely to be cited as an area needing improvement.

Growing Satisfaction

In terms of positioning components, GPS systems are the most popular: four out of five study participants plan to invest in GPS over other types of positioning technology. Those who recently invested in a GPS machine control system spent a median of $50,000–$74,999 and estimate an average payback period of between 13 and 18 months.

In rating GPS positioning equipment products, the reliability of the equipment, its accuracy and its ease of use are reported as being “very important” to users. Study participants appear to be mostly satisfied with the performance of current market offerings in these areas. For lasers and total stations, accuracy and reliability are viewed as “very important” attributes; however, study participants are not completely satisfied with current product off-erings in these areas.

In rating the guidance software for GPS machine control, participants state that reliability is “very important.” This is followed by ease of use and technical support. Overall, respondents appear satisfied with the reliability of current product offerings.

Modeling the Data

In terms of requiring licensure for Digital Terrain Model (DTM) creation, study respondents are split. Forty-six percent support licensure while 54% do not. Those who believe licensed supervision should be required emphasized that licensure helps to ensure quality and maintain consistency in DTMs. Those who do not support licensed supervision noted that the field experience and capabilities of contractors are sufficient for generating DTMs. Two out of five respondents believe that the engineer or design firm should carry the liability for data models. Currently, most data prep is performed in-house, while just over one-third is outsourced.

Planning for the Future

Predictions for 2008 indicate that investment in machine control technology will grow substantially. Almost three-fourths of current users--72%--intend to purchase more machine control equipment and systems in the next year. Seventeen percent of current users intend to purchase more machine control components and systems in the next two to three years.

Those who do not plan to purchase machine control technology gave varied reasons for not investing. These include contracting out to others who own and operate these systems and not seeing a need for the technology in their small operations.

Contractors are most likely to install machine control on dozers followed by graders and excavators. Scrapers, compactors and other machines (including pavers, skid steers and loaders) rank much lower.

Your Participation is Important

Site Prep’s machine control study is the only one we know of that offers details about equipment usage and purchase intentions across the country. However, our study results can only improve with more participation. If you receive our questionnaire in the future, please respond--the more responses we receive, the more representative of the industry the study will be. And if you’d like us to include a particular question regarding machine control, send an e-mail to jensenk@bnpmedia.com.

For more information about Clear Seas Research, contact Sima Patel at 248/786-1626 or PatelS@clearseasresearch.com.

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