AI-driven technology has transformed the delivery of a major waste water infrastructure project near the UK’s River Dearne.
Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB) deployed Smart Construction Simulation and Dashboard alongside a fleet of six machines equipped with intelligent machine control (iMC) to design, plan and deliver a 44,000m² integrated constructed wetland in Yorkshire.
By cutting construction time by several weeks, the tech saw the team save more than £300,000 and significantly reduce carbon emissions by eliminating unnecessary earth movement.
The project, designed to improve water quality downstream of a waste water treatment works, involved moving more than 63,000m³ of earth with zero overcutting and no soil transported offsite.
By combining AI-driven simulation with a fleet of GPS-enabled intelligent machinery from Komatsu, the project team optimised cut-and-fill operations, reduced people-plant interaction and accelerated delivery through the use of the Simulation.
Using Smart Construction technology, Komatsu’s integrated digital solution suite, MMB digitally modelled soil movements across 13 wetland cells, enabling the team to calculate the most efficient excavation and distribution strategy before breaking ground.
By reducing rework, over-excavation, plant oversizing and haulage, the Smart Construction approach delivered a significantly lower carbon footprint compared with conventional methods.
Dean Holmes, director at JN Bentley, said: “Our digital and plant teams are focused on scaling innovative technologies to enhance safety, productivity and sustainability. This project demonstrates the transformative outcomes possible when clients, project teams and technology partners collaborate early.”
Paul Pickering, site agent for MMB added: “Starting major earthworks in autumn meant we faced severe weather risks, but the AI-driven scheduling and intelligent plant kept us on track. In 40 years of construction, I’ve never seen technology deliver this level of efficiency.”
Across the project, MMB site managers deployed a mixed fleet of Komatsu machines, including PC210LCi, PC360LCi and D61PXi models.
Daisuke Sakamoto, Digital Transformation Manager at Komatsu Smart Construction added: ”It’s been fantastic to work closely with the MMB team to understand how technology can support sustainable earthmoving projects and help water companies like Yorkshire Water mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.”
