When the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) embarked on a project two years ago to rebuild the tracks along the 40-year-old south Red Line, from Cermak-Chinatown to 95th Street/Dan Ryan, project engineers and project managers already had cutting-edge technology at their disposal through Dynasty Group Inc., the firm charged with laser scanning the project and the overall management of the field operations. What the CTA didn’t realize is how innovative data management tools being implemented by Dynasty Group would benefit their project downstream.

Founded in 1994, the Chicago-based engineering and surveying firm has a reputation as the go-to service provider for laser scanning in Illinois. The company’s portfolio includes noteworthy topographic surveys for the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA) and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), as well as numerous private contractors. A hybrid survey of the historic Wells Street Bascule Bridge over the Chicago River in 2008 prior to a major reconstruction project is just one example of the firm’s ability to apply innovation to achieve a beneficial outcome. In that case, the combination of 3D laser scanning, total station surveying and nontraditional post-processing techniques reduced field time by 20 percent and impressed stakeholders with high-quality drawings and visuals. Since then, Dynasty Group has continued searching for ways to harness technology to provide new solutions.