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Equipment management monitoring systems have evolved significantly over the last few years. From machine control for highways and roads to mining equipment, agriculture and forestry along with advances in engineering and coupled geospatial technologies are providing many benefits that ensure higher quality operations, increased safety and reduced cost.

Advances in digital technology have resulted in many new innovations for both and heavy equipment operation. Sensors and monitoring technologies are available to monitor engine performance and other operation characteristics. United Tractors in Indonesia, for example, has recently trained it's staff in the implementation and operation of it's KOMTRAX System. This system employs Ecot-3 for the purposes balancing ecology and economics during operation where fuel system management is continuously calculated during operations.

Carlson Software markets AgStar a new precision farming management system based on IntelliCAD software. From dozers to draglines, Leica GeoSystems has been providing solutions for mining equipment.

The navigation and location part of the heavy equipment equation does not stop at GNSS and onboard electronics. Just as important are geospatial coupled data including digital elevation models (DEM), aerial photography and satellite imagery, LiDAR and environmental data.

Knowing site characteristics and working environments requires that sensitive data be collected to assess and provide an operational picture. Sensitive areas can be coordinated. For example, GNSS gathered guidance and fencing by natural resource personnel, and hydrological details managed in coordination with hydrologists whose data can be coupled into machine operations. Telemetry can be used between machines operating within the same site - improving safety

In Indonesia improvements in the CORS network are enabling the integration of GNSS with machine control. Coupled with synthetic aperature radar (SAR), for example, more accurate navigation and improved decision making are possible.

As aerial imagery drops to within less than 5 meters, and often better than a few meters, the time is right for the development of more comprehensive and integrated digital machinery enabled sites. These will extend beyond guidance and navigation alone to embrace broader land management as the machinery data connects with governance and digital pathways across other disciplines.

ASM Newsletter is distributed by e-mail every week. It reports on events in the spatial industry in Asia and events outside the region which will impact on Asia.