Rival Solutions was founded in March 2013 with a primary objective to introduce new and innovative methods for aiding decision processes related to the different disciplines within public works and geomatic domains. Rival’s core solutions bring simple, efficient, dynamic, and scalable alternatives to preventative management of infrastructure by integrating state-of-the-art technologies of mobile mapping, cloud computing, and web dashboard reporting. Products are driven by a core requirement to remove as much operating complexity and burden from the end user as possible, so data can be captured with ease, and drive time-sensitive decisions required for planning, operating, and maintaining transportation networks.
RUBIX
RUBIX, based on the core Rival technological platform, provides infrastructure and roadway managers with a turn-key solution for evaluating roadway infrastructure condition. The solution includes innovative tools for field-data collection, information consolidation, and dashboard reporting, while eliminating traditional barriers and time-consuming efforts related to complex field work, data manipulation, and reporting. The simplicity of the solution offers a new asset-management paradigm based on continuous measurements rather than long-term prediction. This new approach offers managers an agile and efficient tool applicable to planning, maintenance, and operational transportation lifecycle practices.
Solution Architecture
DATA COLLECTION
Currently, the primary data-collection method for RUBIX consists of acquisition from a mobile device (such as an iPhone or an iPad) through application-specific apps, or input from external 3rd party data sources.
• Mobile Apps
• 3rd Party Data
• Auto data transfer
PROCESSING
Once data is captured in the field, processing is accomplished using a cloud-based service. Files are sent from the mobile application to a RUBIX data processing server where they are reduced to extract and spatially reference domain-specific information.
The type of processing steps, or workflow, is dependent on the end application in question. Jump to the Solutions section to learn how the above processing services are applied in workflows for road performance evaluations, gravel road monitoring, and other applications.
PLANNING
As a decision-making tool, the dashboard can be simply used to visualize and make decisions regarding the current state of the infrastructure in question. Typically, this is used by agencies that wish to keep the evaluation of infrastructure simplistic, and do not want to implement advanced analysis or mapping software. Summarized information, such as condition ratings, are presented on an aggregate basis (e.g. per unique road segment, and coloured according to relative condition.
| Spotlights | Application Overview |
|---|---|
| Aiding Road Prediction Models | Pavement management principles are based on the use of infrastructure degradation models to help predict when a pre-determined rehabilitation point will be reached. Rehabilitation, maintenance operations, and investments are planned accordingly. |
| Automating a Workflow Process for a Multipurpose Class 1 Profiler | Many of the RUBIX Application Spotlights have focused around the use of Rival’s data collection apps (rRuf, rRate). However, this project extended this implementation to allow for 3rd party roughness and distress data collected by a multipurpose vehicle to utilize the backend processing automation of the RUBIX technology platform. |
| Resource Road Condition Monitoring | The Cameco-McArthur River mining operation (Saskatchewan, Canada) is the world’s largest high-grade uranium mine. Ore grades within the deposit are 100 times the world average, which means the operation can produce over 18 million pounds of uranium each year by mining only 150 to 200 tons of ore per day. |
| Gravel Road Condition Rating | Gravel roadways continue to be a challenge when it comes to proactive management and maintenance. Typically, gravel roadways are managed in a reactive mode, either based on major weather events or citizen complaints. |
| Province Wide Standardized Pavement Condition Rating | In November of 2013, the ministry of municipal affairs of the province of Quebec, Canada, published a new guide for municipalities on how to establish an infrastructure intervention plan. This latest guide integrated pavement condition with water, sewage and storm water condition assessments to establish priorities. |