1. TOPCON’S MILLIMETER GPS BRINGS CLEAR ADVANTAGES OVER TRADITIONAL METHODS
A field study in Côte d'Ivoire aimed to compare two approaches to road grading: conventional manual methods versus Topcon's Millimeter GPS (mmGPS). At two active sites, the teams measured the duration of each operation using two methods: with and without mmGPS guidance.
2. CHALLENGE
Traditional grading involves setting out stakes, manual measurement and frequent checking, which is a time-consuming and labour-intensive process. It also increases the risk of rework, material waste and fuel consumption, and puts personnel in close proximity to moving machines.
3. TEST
Site 1
Two identical road sections (100m length x 11m width) were graded, one manually and the other using an mmGPS equipped grader.
Site 2
A traditional section (100m length x 10.2m width) was compared with a guided section (240m length x 5.1m width). Post-compaction results were also tracked after cement treatment.
In both tests, GPS-guided grading showed a clear improvement in performance.
4. RESULTS
Topcon's mmGPS system enabled:
• Faster grading with fewer passes
• Reduced material usage and fuel consumption
• Less wear and tear on machines
• Safer jobsites with no need for on-the-fly checks
Pre-grading with an mmGPS guidance system helped hit rough targets more accurately, reducing the need to scarify or move excess material.
5. OVERVIEW
Guided sections took less time, achieved near perfect accuracy (within 3mm after compaction) and used fewer resources. Safety was also improved by eliminating the need for personnel near moving equipment.
This test confirms the impact of GPS guidance: faster completion, lower costs and safer, smarter construction.
