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Trimble > Case Studies > Southland Industries Performs 30% Faster Layout on Massive LAX Project with Trimble GNSS Technology

Southland Industries Performs 30% Faster Layout on Massive LAX Project with Trimble GNSS Technology

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Customer Company Size
Large Corporate
Region
  • America
Country
  • United States
Product
  • Trimble SPS986 GNSS Smart Antenna
  • Trimble FieldLink
Tech Stack
  • GNSS Technology
Implementation Scale
  • Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
  • Productivity Improvements
  • Cost Savings
Technology Category
  • Networks & Connectivity - Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
Applicable Industries
  • Construction & Infrastructure
Applicable Functions
  • Facility Management
Use Cases
  • Building Automation & Control
  • Construction Site Monitoring
Services
  • System Integration
About The Customer
Founded in 1949, Southland Industries is one of the largest MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) building systems experts in the United States. The company is known for providing innovative yet practical solutions through a holistic approach to building performance. Southland advocates a design-build-maintain model and specializes in the design, construction, and service of mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, process piping, automation, and control systems. They also offer comprehensive energy service needs. Southland provides both standalone services and integrated solutions, with in-house experts who remain connected to share knowledge and information. This approach has earned Southland a reputation as one of the top design-builders in the nation. Their expertise and commitment to quality make them a trusted partner in large-scale construction projects.
The Challenge
In 2019, Southland Industries' Southern California Division was awarded a contract to develop a consolidated car rental facility at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The project was substantial, covering roughly seven million square feet, and required consolidating existing rental car companies into one location. Southland was responsible for all mechanical HVAC and plumbing, including storm, sanitary waste, and vent systems. The scale of the project presented unique challenges, particularly in terms of layout, as the plumbing alone was measured in miles. Traditionally, Southland used Trimble Robotic Total Stations (RTS) for layout, but the massive size of the LAX project necessitated a faster and more precise solution. The need to work quickly and accurately led Southland to explore alternative technologies that could streamline their workflow and improve efficiency.
The Solution
To address the challenges of the LAX project, Southland Industries decided to use the Trimble SPS986 GNSS Smart Antenna for layout, paired with Trimble FieldLink software. This decision was driven by the time savings and precision offered by GNSS technology. The SPS986 eliminates the need for traditional setup time associated with Robotic Total Stations, as it uses satellite tracking to streamline workflows. The GNSS technology allows for quick correction of known points, with data collected from a satellite connected to the SPS986. This setup enables Southland to identify the location of the base station with high precision. The SPS986 also offers flexibility, as it does not require a line of sight, unlike Robotic Total Stations. This means that layout crews can work without interruption, even if there are obstructions. The SPS986 can serve as both a GNSS rover system and a base station, allowing Southland to cover large areas with one base station. This capability was particularly beneficial for the 110-acre LAX project site, enabling efficient layout across multiple levels.
Operational Impact
  • The use of the Trimble SPS986 GNSS Smart Antenna brought significant efficiency to Southland's layout process, saving time and streamlining workflows.
  • The GNSS technology allowed Southland to eliminate the need for traditional setup time, enabling one person to layout 500 points a day instead of 300.
  • The flexibility of the SPS986, which does not require a line of sight, allowed layout crews to work without interruption, even in the presence of obstructions.
  • The SPS986's ability to serve as both a GNSS rover system and a base station enabled Southland to cover large areas with one base station, which was crucial for the 110-acre LAX project site.
  • The integration of Trimble FieldLink software with the SPS986 made it easy for field crews to adopt the new technology, maintaining existing workflows and best practices.
Quantitative Benefit
  • The Trimble SPS986 and Trimble FieldLink increased efficiency by 20-30% on the LAX project.
  • The SPS986 allowed one person to layout 500 points a day instead of 300, significantly reducing labor costs.

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