Total concept for dimensioning and geo-information

Since its founding in 2002, Geomaat has evolved significantly from a surveying company to a geo-ict organization with four divisions: Construction, Infra, Geo-information and Mobile Mapping. Geomaat is involved to a greater or lesser extent in all major infrastructure projects in the Netherlands, including Circuit Park Zandvoort and the TT Circuit in Assen. According to director Jolle Jelle de Vries because of a strong focus on innovation and the unique combination of specializations that complement and reinforce each other perfectly.

Our roots are emphatically in infrastructure, says De Vries. "We now serve a large number of infrastructure contractors, consulting and engineering firms, water boards, municipalities, provinces, grid managers and the Department of Public Works with some seventy employees from our offices in Groningen and Amersfoort. Our strength lies mainly in innovation. For example, in 2008 we were the first with a Mobile Mapping system, and in 2016 we were one of the first to start drone activities in the infrastructure sector. We also employ four programmers who build software and tools to constantly work smarter and faster, such as the unique C5-IRI tool for measuring longitudinal unevenness."

From zero measurement to as built

According to De Vries, Geomaat offers a total concept for the infrastructure sector in the field of surveying and geo-information. "From the preparation to the management of a project, we can support clients. Our activities often start even before the first shovel goes into the ground, where we perform a zero measurement of the existing situation. Recently, we performed a baseline measurement for the renovation of the Hoevelaken interchange (A28/A1), the Rijnlandroute, the A9 near Amsterdam and the construction of the new locks at Terneuzen. Then our surveyors take care of on-site sizing. Once the work is completed, we can provide the so-called 'as built' revision drawings at the end of the project. Then we have come full circle and the client/manager has access to drawings of the current situation."

Assen: At the TT Circuit in Assen, Geomaat measured to 4 millimeters accuracy

Longitudinal unevenness

Every year, hundreds of kilometers of roads in our country are repaved. Geomaat developed a tool to measure existing roads quickly and accurately, on the one hand, determining both longitudinal unevenness and driving comfort (deviations in road surface height). "For this, we use the Streetmapper-360 in combination with our C5-IRI tool. That way we know exactly where the unevennesses are. Based on that, the tool calculates where and how much asphalt needs to be milled and resurfaced, and we create an asphalt design to direct machines. A win-win situation that also reduces inconvenience, because no traffic measures are required for reclamation." 

Formula 1

Geomaat also developed a total concept for the construction of wind and solar parks. "Through our sister company EyeFly, we determine the most suitable location with a drone and see how many solar panels will fit on a roof or on a piece of pasture, for example. We then perform a zero measurement and take care of the plotting and sizing of the wind or solar farm. Another great example where our total concept provided relief was at Circuit Park Zandvoort. We measured the current track to within 4 millimeters so that the Italian architect could create a suitable design to meet the requirements of Formula 1. In doing so, we combined time-honored surveying techniques with modern technology. That resulted in as many as 2 billion measurement points."

The topic of sustainability and CSR is high on the agenda at Geomaat. "Our energy policy is aimed at ensuring that we conduct operations in an environmentally friendly, effective, efficient and economical manner for our customers. For example, we already have a number of electric cars in the fleet and by using smart software and artificial intelligence we can extract more and more information from a single scan."