Orion radar training simulator in running for INNOVATE Award

MEDIA RELEASE – for immediate release

June 27 2012

Orion radar training simulator among projects in running for INNOVATE NZ Awards

A high-fidelity radar training simulator for the RNZAF’s upgraded Orion aircraft, a waterfront tram system and national park tracks are among contenders for the INNOVATE NZ Awards of Excellence 2012.

There are 39 finalist projects being assessed by the judges for the prestigious awards which are organised by the Association of Consulting Engineers NZ (ACENZ) and recognise innovation in consulting engineering, both in the structures or processes developed and in the means of providing engineering services to the client.

Convenor of Judges Allan Leahy said that there had been many different project-types entered this year, including investigation and environmental improvement, construction, roading, buildings, power generation, radar training and urban renewal.

“The variety of submissions once again highlights the wide range of capabilities and versatility within the New Zealand consulting engineering community,” he said.

“Many of the submissions represent examples of world leading applications of technology showcasing the strength of consulting engineering in New Zealand.”

The groundbreaking RNZAF P-3K2 Orion Radar Trainer, designed by Beca, resolved a challenge for the Royal New Zealand Airforce.

The recently upgraded P-3K2 Orion aircraft is one of the first in the world to be fitted with the ELTA 2022 radar – but costs associated with on-the-job radar training are high due to the number of flying hours needed for operators to gain experience.

Beca became the first New Zealand company to develop a high-fidelity training simulator for an airborne radar system. The highly successful project for the Whenuapai base exceeded the client’s expectations, providing high levels of flexibility and future-proofing.

The Auckland Waterfront Tram project, by Tonkin & Taylor for Auckland Waterfront, used New Zealand-first technology to provide a low maintenance, low noise/vibration track that is electronically isolated from any surrounding communications equipment.

MWH, working for the Department of Conservation, used innovative survey and design methods to enable the building of the Franz Josef and Fox Glacier Walkways/Cycleways, New Zealand’s first purpose built shared walking and cycling tracks through a national park.

The design incorporates measures that meet the needs of both walkers and cyclists, including preventing extremes in cyclist speed and has resulted in the tracks becoming a tourist attraction in their own right.

INNOVATE NZ Awards 2012 - finalists

AUCKLAND
Auckland Museum of Transport & Technology (MOTAT) Aviation Display Hall
Holmes Consulting Group for Museum of Transport & Technology

Auckland Waterfront Tram
Tonkin & Taylor for Waterfront Auckland

Britomart East / Westpac Charter House
Holmes Fire for Cooper & Company

Intelligent Street Lighting - Eden Park
Opus International Consultants for Auckland Transport (formerly Auckland City Council)

Pacific Steel Smelting Shed - Advanced CFD Assessment
Beca for Pacific Steel Group

SH18 Hobsonville Deviation & SH16 Brigham Creek Extension Upper Harbour Corridor
Aurecon for HEB Construction Ltd & NZ Transport Agency

SH20 Manukau Extension
Sinclair Knight Merz for NZ Transport Agency

Telecom Place
Beca for Mansons TCLM Ltd

Viaduct Events Centre
Holmes Consulting Group for Moller Architects & Auckland Council

Waipuna Bridge Strengthening
Beca for Transpower & NZ Transport Agency

Wynyard Quarter - Stage 1 Silo Park, Jellicoe St & Karanga Plaza
Beca for Waterfront Auckland

WHENUAPAI
Royal New Zealand Airforce - P-3k2 Orion Radar Trainer
Beca for Royal NZ Defence Force

BAY OF PLENTY
MT MAUNGANUI
Dominion Salt Vacuum Plant Upgrade
Aurecon for Dominion Salt Ltd

TE PUKE
Waiari Trunk Main Route Selection
Opus International Consultants for Tauranga City Council

CARTERTON, WAIRARAPA
Carterton Events Centre
Opus International Consultants for Carterton District Council

CHRISTCHURCH
Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant, Biosolids Drying Facility
Beca for Christchurch City Council

Land Damage Assessment Team
Tonkin & Taylor for Earthquake Commission (EQC)

DUNEDIN
Dunedin 3 Waters Strategy
Opus International Consultants & URS for Dunedin City Council

Forsyth Barr Stadium
Sinclair Knight Merz for Carisbrook Stadium Trust

SH88 Realignment
Opus International Consultants for Dunedin City Council

GOLDEN BAY, TASMAN
James Road Bridge
MWH New Zealand Ltd for Tasman District Council

HAWKES BAY / WAIKATO
Hastings Wastewater Treatment Plant
MWH New Zealand Ltd for Hastings District Council

Matahorua Gorge Bridge
Holmes Consulting Group for Concrete Structures NZ Ltd & NZ Transport Agency

Mohaka River Bridge Seismic Strengthening
Opus International Consultants for NZ Transport Agency

MANAWATU
Whakapapa Knoll Ridge Cafe and Cat Shed OR Knoll Ridge Cafe & Cat Shed Whakapapa
Dunning Thornton Consultants for Stanley Construction & Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ltd

TARANAKI
Tukapa St Waimea St Intersection Improvements
Opus International Consultants for New Plymouth District Council

WEST COAST
CAPE FOULWIND
Spent Cell Liner (SCL) Handling & Disposal Plant
Aurecon for G T Liddell Contracting Ltd & Holcim

FOX & FRANZ JOSEF
Te Ara a Waiau Walkway / Cycleway & Te Weheka Walkway /Cycleway OR
Franz Josef & Fox Glacier Walkways/Cycleways
MWH New Zealand Ltd for Department of Conservation

GREYMOUTH
McKendries Corner Realignment
AECOM for NZ Transport Agency

WELLINGTON
Alan MacDiarmid Building
Beca for Victoria University of Wellington

ASB Stadium
Sinclair Knight Merz for Wellington City Council

KiwiRAP Star Ratings
MWH New Zealand Ltd for NZ Transport Agency

The Customhouse
Beca for Centreport

The Peak - Mixed Use and Apartments
Aurecon for Taranaki Land 2006 Ltd

Wellington International Airport Corporate Jet, Maintenance Hangar and FBO Building
Aurecon for Wellington International Airport Ltd

PARAPARAUMU
MacKay's Crossing to Waikanae Double Tracking
Opus International Consultants for KiwiRail Ltd

GENERAL
IPENZ Practice Note 21: Farm Dairy Effluent Pond Design & Construction
Opus International Consultants for DairyNZ & IPENZ

OVERSEAS
INDONESIA
Salak Geothermal Field Master Planning
Sinclair Knight Merz for Chevron Indonesia

UNITED STATES
American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Transportation Asset Management Guide Volume 2: A Focus on Implementation
AECOM for Transportation Research Board of the National Academies

About the INNOVATE NZ Awards

These are ACENZ’s annual awards. ACENZ is the professional association for consulting engineering firms in New Zealand. It has over 165 members ranging from one-person firms to those with over 1000 employees. Although only two overseas projects are presented in 2012, members carry out work all over the world.

There are three levels of award: Gold, Silver and Award of Merit. Projects are judged on their own merit rather than against others entered, so there may be more than one award made in any of the categories. The INNOVATE NZ awards acknowledge the client(s), an important part of a successful project, who also receive an award.

To receive a Gold Award of Excellence, the highest of the three awards, the project must demonstrate real innovation – perhaps a new process that will establish the standard for years to come - and excellent customer service.

Project entries range across all consulting disciplines represented by ACENZ members. These include engineering (structures, infrastructure and industrial processes) as well as investigations and reporting to clients to help them achieve greater efficiencies in their business.

Projects range in size from small studies to massive structures. All have been carried out to an exceptional standard and all have an element of innovation.

Winners of the awards will be announced at the gala dinner to be held at WOW Arts
ends

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