Ferrovial deploys autonomous machinery for Puerto Rico airport project

Ferrovial is utilizing autonomous construction equipment for the first time to build a new runway at the Rafael Hernández International Airport in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. The project, valued at approximately $239 million (€207.1 million), involves constructing a runway measuring 3,350 meters in length and 46 meters in width without interrupting existing airport operations.

The company is deploying three technologically adapted compaction rollers that operate autonomously under the supervision of a single operator. These machines follow pre-established trajectories to ensure precise and continuous compaction, which increases productivity by reducing downtime associated with manual labor.

To enhance safety, the machinery is equipped with artificial intelligence-based obstacle detection systems. These systems allow the equipment to stop automatically upon detecting people or vehicles, reducing the risk of accidents in high-activity zones. Ferrovial indicates that this technology facilitates more efficient resource management and anticipates a future work model centered on collaboration between humans and autonomous machines.