Catsurveys' Mobile Ground-penetrating Radar Wins ISTT Award

The International Society for Trenchless Technology (ISTT) has recognised Catsurveys Group, UK, with a NO-DIG Award in the 'New Machine' category. The award was for Catsurveys’ mobile ground-penetrating radar solution (MGPR) that combines the benefits of GPR and corrected GNSS data. The MGPR system is an important surveying tool for feasibility studies and civil engineering projects. It reduces the need to dig up roads and other surfaces, thereby reducing risks, costs and time.

Catsurveys has developed an innovative and unique synchronisation process to rapidly link large quantities of GPR data to an accurate geographic location via corrected GNSS (global navigation satellite system).

Companies that have benefited from the system include Balfour Beatty Construction Services UK (BBCSUK) who tasked Catsurveys to identify utilities and underground anomalies during the Dartford Freeflow Charging project to reduce traffic congestion, and Manchester Smart Motorways (MSM) who used the MGPR system to locate and identify all services crossing the busy M62 motorway.

The MGPR uses a multitude of low and intermediate frequency antennas to boost the quality of data and its reliability. Double polarized antennas cover both longitudinal and transversal scans to create one of the clearest underground images available. 

The mobile system enables rapid data collection, allowing for the survey to be carried out in the office, reducing project time, health and safety risks and lowering cost when compared to traditional push GPR. This also falls in line with Catsurveys’ green initiative by reducing its carbon footprint.

The award was given during the ISTT's 32nd annual International NO-DIG Conference & Exhibition in Spain, which was held from 13 to 15 October 2014. Hosted by the Iberian Society for Trenchless Technology, the event was held at the prestigious IFEMA Convention Centre in Madrid. In addition to the delegates, more than 1,000 visitors attended the three day exhibition from 32 countries.