Smarter, Safer, Faster: How Western Rock is Transforming Roadway Layout

Advanced surveying technology is helping Western Rock improve safety, accuracy and efficiency across every project

Western Rock Products (Western Rock) continues to advance job site safety and efficiency through the use of cutting-edge technology. 

One standout innovation is the Tiny Mobile Surveyor (TMS), which allows project teams to place road markings faster and more accurately than traditional manual methods. Tasks that once took hours can now be completed in significantly less time with the same level of accuracy. 

By reducing the need for crews to work directly in active zones, the TMS significantly enhances safety while also improving overall project efficiency. 

Every successful implementation of the TMS begins with accurate survey data. Depending on the project, this data may come from surveys, CAD files, GPS staking or mobile LiDAR scanning, each providing precise inputs for layout planning. At Western Rock, drone surveys are the most commonly used method to gather this data. These drones capture detailed information from the job site, which is then uploaded into the TMS mapping system to guide precise marking placement. 

Whether working on highways, city streets, or airport runways, the TMS plays a critical role in ensuring optimal pavement performance. It stripes layouts and establishes paving guidelines, allowing road seams to be strategically placed in low-stress areas. This helps improve the durability and longevity of the finished roadway. On airport projects, precision is especially critical. The TMS allows Western Rock crews to meet strict specifications within a half-inch tolerance, a requirement essential to maintaining safety standards. 

Without this technology, marking would require multiple personnel and significantly more time. Manual methods also introduce the risk of inconsistencies, as maintaining perfectly straight and accurate lines can be challenging in the field.  

By combining advanced surveying tools with innovative equipment like the TMS, Western Rock continues to deliver safer, faster and more precise results across every project, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and quality in construction.