Latest news with #PeterFisher
Scoop
21-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Flood-Resilient Infrastructure Among The Winners At Nelson Marlborough Awards
Exceptional infrastructure projects that enhance flood resilience and protect communities were among the standout winners at the Civil Contractors New Zealand Nelson Marlborough Contractor Awards on Friday night, including an impressive solution to futureproof Queen Charlotte Drive. Hundreds of people from across the region packed the Rutherford Hotel in Nelson to celebrate the vital projects and people safeguarding the Nelson Tasman region, only days after it experienced what Nelson Civil Defence described as its worst flood in almost 150 years. Taylors Contracting demonstrated its engineering expertise in the projects valued $750,001 to $2m category for its work on the Mahakipawa Hill Mechanically Stabilised Earth Wall, Culvert and Spillway, which boosted Queen Charlotte Drive's resilience after flood damage in 2022. The work involved securing foundations in challenging soil conditions using 24 nine-metre-deep reinforced concrete piles anchored with 23 ten-metre-deep self-drilling anchors, all while a stream was diverted and access was maintained for the public and forestry traffic. Judges Peter Fisher, Bruce Taylor and Steffan Eden praised the project's completion on time and within budget, noting the effective use of 3D site scanning for stability monitoring and the fact it was the largest mechanically stabilised earth wall the company has ever tackled. Continuing the recognition of projects contributing to community resilience and flood prevention, Tasman Civil won the Nelson City Council Health and Safety Award for the Washington Valley Stormwater Upgrade. The project involved managing services including sewer, water main, electrical and telecommunications alongside stormwater systems to improve resilience against extreme weather events. Fulton Hogan Nelson was recognised with the Connexis Judges Recognition Award for two critical water infrastructure projects – the Maitai Dam Aeration System and Treatment Plant Contracts. Both have enhanced Nelson's town and river water quality, with cost-saving innovations that reduced council rates by $1 million, the judges noted. Local company Egypt Civil Construction received the Avada Traffic NZ Innovation Award for its Bridge 256 Replacement Platform Clamp System. This innovative safety system involved building a clamp-system working platform to enable a team to climb piles and construct pile heads safely nine metres above the flood-prone Waihopai River. The judging panel congratulated Egypt Limited and said that this was the 'greatest challenge for the company to date'. Environmental stewardship was showcased through Downer NZ Nelson's work on the Kaiteriteri Footpath and Boardwalk, which won the Tasman District Council Environmental Award. The project enabled community access while protecting the sensitive ecosystem near Abel Tasman National Park, including penguin breeding areas. Downer NZ Nelson also received recognition for the Tāhunanui Beach Contaminated Sawdust Remediation project, which sought to remove timber waste contaminated with arsenic, chromium, copper, boron and dioxins that had been historically dumped at the beach. The judges noted that Downer played a key role in the remediation, helping to removed more than 10,000 tonnes of contaminated material while implementing strict environmental controls to minimise environmental impact. Tākaka business Diggs showcased how smaller companies can deliver outstanding environmental outcomes, winning the projects valued at $0 to $200,000 category for its work on stage 3 of the Reilly Wetland project, which involving earthworks to support restoration of the wetland in Golden Bay. Judges said despite working with limited design specifications, the team demonstrated skilful execution and achieved an excellent outcome, receiving 'high praise from all authorities involved'. The awards also celebrated emerging talent, with 25-year-old Jack Whittle from Isaac Construction winning the Franklin Smith Young Achiever Award. The project engineer impressed judges with his technical competence, initiative and ability to overcome challenges, as well as his achievement of a wide range of industry qualifications at a relatively young age. Marijke Isley from Simcox Construction was honoured with the Humes Pipeline Systems Women in Civil Construction Award. Judges commented on her technical expertise and exceptional project management capabilities overseeing complex projects and maintenance contracts while managing teams of more than 70 staff. They described her as a 'true role model for those following in her footsteps'. The Hirepool Supreme Award and Hynds Projects valued over $2m category was won by Simcox Construction for the Inter-Island Resilient Connection (iReX) Picton Enabling Works for KiwiRail. This technically challenging project involved constructing deep dewatering systems, new marshalling yards and a 300-metre culvert through operational areas. While the wider iReX terminal and Cook Strait ferry upgrade project was cancelled with the change of Government in 2023, the infrastructure built by Simcox Construction will serve both existing ferries and the lower-cost replacement vessels, when they arrive in the years ahead. KiwiRail train and Interislander ferry services remained uninterrupted during the project's lifespan. Judges commented that despite its 'significant complexity', the project finished three months early and delivered more than $1m in savings, noting a 'very happy' client. These infrastructure improvements were recognised as the region continued its long-term recovery from extreme weather events in 2022 and dealt with the devastation of multiple severe flooding events over the last three weeks. CCNZ Nelson Marlborough Branch Chair Luke Donaldson said the expertise and innovation demonstrated by the award winners will be crucial to the Nelson Marlborough region's future resilience, with it facing months if not years of flood recovery work. 'We have had our fair share of wild weather down these ways in recent times and our members have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to repair, rebuild, and strengthen our region's infrastructure. These awards celebrate not just excellence in construction, but the vital role our industry plays in building community resilience and supporting economic recovery.' The CCNZ Nelson Marlborough Contractor Awards 2025 was sponsored by Hirepool, Hynds, Humes, Tasman District Council, Eliot Sinclair, Pumps and Filters, and GPIL. This year's winners TotalEnergies NZ Projects valued $0 to $200,000 Winner: Diggs Ltd for the Reilly Wetland Stage Three project GPIL Projects Valued $200,001 to $750,000 Winner: Downer NZ Nelson - Tāhunanui Beach Contaminated Sawdust Remediation Eliot Sinclair Projects Valued $750,001 to $2m Winner: Taylors Contracting Co Ltd - Mahakipawa Hill Mechanically Stabilised Earth Wall, Culvert and Spillway Hynds Projects Valued over $2m Winner: Simcox Construction - iReX Picton Enabling Works for KiwiRail Tasman District Council Environmental Award Downer NZ Nelson - Kaiteriteri Footpath and Boardwalk Avada Traffic NZ Innovation Award Egypt Limited – Bridge 256 Replacement - Platform Clamp System Nelson City Council Health and Safety Award Tasman Civil Limited - Washington Valley Stormwater Upgrade Connexis Judges Recognition Award Fulton Hogan Nelson - Maitai Dam Aeration System and Treatment Plant Contracts Franklin Smith Young Achiever Award Jack Whittle – Isaac Construction Ltd Humes Pipeline Systems Women in Civil Construction Award Marijke Isley - Simcox Construction Hirepool Supreme Award
CNBC
10-06-2025
- Business
- CNBC
13. Metropolis
Founders: Alex Israel (CEO), Peter Fisher, Courtney Fukuda, Travis KellLaunched: 2017Headquarters: Santa Monica, CaliforniaFunding: N/AValuation: N/AKey Technologies: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, machine learningIndustry: FintechPrevious appearances on Disruptor 50 list: 0 Specializing in checkout-free payment systems, Metropolis Technologies has rapidly emerged as a significant player in AI-driven urban infrastructure. With over 4,000 locations, the company is the largest parking network in North America. It services more than 50 million customers a year, adding 20,000 members daily and processing over $5 billion worth of payments, according to the company. Leveraging computer vision and machine learning, Metropolis has modernized parking infrastructure, automating vehicle recognition and payment processes, and eliminating traditional barriers like tickets and payment kiosks. Its business has grown rapidly in part through acquisitions. It completed a $1.5 billion acquisition of 100-year-old SP Plus Corporation in May 2024, North America's largest parking network operator. The deal involved Metropolis closing $1.8 billion in Series C financing, making it the largest venture-backed M&A deal last year. In January, it made an acquisition on the tech side of its business model, buying Oosto, formerly known as AnyVision, for $125 million. Oosto specializes in facial recognition and threat detection technologies, serving sectors like retail, health care, and gaming, an acquisition aimed to enhance Metropolis's AI capabilities beyond parking solutions. "Oosto has built an unparalleled reputation for delivering AI that performs seamlessly in the real world," Metropolis co-founder and CEO Alex Israel said in a release. "During customer visits, we were deeply impressed by Oosto's ability to execute flawlessly, even in the most complex environments — whether it's a bustling transit hub, a high-security venue, or a casino floor." Metropolis opened an office in Nashville in November 2024 due to the potential for growth in the local tech sector, making it a co-headquarters with Los Angeles. Co-founder Travis Kell was appointed CFO in October 2024 as well. Despite the successes, Metropolis' technology isn't perfect. At San Antonio International Airport – the company's flagship airport location – veterans entitled to free parking claim they were incorrectly charged by its ticketless payment system, which uses AI to recognize license plates. The company issued refunds but faced criticism for customer service slipups, according to the San Antonio Express-News. The company is working through the issues while adding new features. A feature called Passes was introduced in October 2024 to give customers unlimited drive-in, drive-out access to garages for a set time. In the future, its technology could be applied to drive-throughs, gas stations, car washes and other car-related services.
Jordan Times
15-05-2025
- Science
- Jordan Times
Tell Abu Al Kharaz: The Bronze Age Stronghold
Pottery vessels found at Tell Abu Al Kharaz (Photo courtesy of Peter Fisher) AMMAN — Located just five kilometres from the Jordan River in the heart of the Jordan Valley, Tell Abu Al Kharaz stands as a testament to the strategic brilliance of its ancient inhabitants. Chosen in the latter part of the 4th millennium BC, this site offered a natural advantage, providing unparalleled defence and control over a large expanse of the valley. The Tell, measuring 400 meters by 300 meters, is isolated from the surrounding foothills that rise to the east, leading up to the Transjordanian plateau. Its elevated position offers an excellent vantage point, allowing for a wide range of visibility in all directions, while the rocky western slope and the steep northern and eastern slopes acted as natural barriers against potential invaders. "The Central Jordan Valley, visible from the summit of Tell Abu Al Kharaz, includes the hills around Nazareth, Mount Tabor, Beth Shan, the Beth Shan Valley, parts of the Harod Valley, the Samarian hills, and the area north of Tell es Saʿidiyeh," said Professor Peter Fisher. However, the view to the east is blocked by the rising hillocks of western Gilead, marking the start of the Transjordanian plateau. Remains of formidable stone-built town walls are still visible at the southern and northern edges of the tell, which date back to the Early Bronze Age IB (Phase IB). The original walls, constructed during this period, were reinforced and altered in Early Bronze Age II. Measuring up to 5 meters wide and likely standing 6 to 8 metres high at their peak, these walls were topped with a superstructure made of sun-dried mud bricks and wood. The walled town covered the entire upper plateau of the mound, which spans approximately 1.5 hectares (about 3.75 acres). Excavations have revealed that Early Bronze Age remains also extend to the surrounding slopes and flatlands, suggesting that the walled area was primarily used as a refuge during times of conflict. Villagers from the surrounding areas would have sought shelter within the town's fortified walls, not only for protection but to take part in defending the settlement. Structures and Raw Materials The relatively flat plateau of the mound, composed mainly of marly limestone, provided a convenient foundation for construction. Building materials were readily available, with smooth, portable stones scattered throughout the area. Clay, essential for producing mud bricks and fired pottery, was easily accessible from the nearby Wadi Al Yabis, an important source for the construction of domestic buildings and other structures. Professor Fisher noted that the plans of the domestic buildings varied, including curvilinear and roughly rectangular designs. Most Early Bronze Age structures were aligned on north-south/east-west axes, which contrast with later periods when structures were typically oriented northwest-southeast/northeast-southwest. The region surrounding Tell Abu Al Kharaz was historically more vegetated, providing ample resources for construction. Forests likely surrounded the site, offering timber for building and fuel. Even today, the vegetation in the Wadi Al Yabis area, located to the east, differs significantly from the Jordan Valley. While the valley is dominated by acacia and scrub oak, the foothills and the Cretaceous limestone mountains to the east are home to a mixed forest of pine, oak, and pistachio trees. "Wood for construction and fuel was readily accessible, which greatly facilitated the building process for the site's inhabitants," Fisher concluded.
Jordan Times
15-05-2025
- Science
- Jordan Times
The Jordan Valley in the Neolithic era
Pottery found in the 3,100-year-old building at Tell Abu Al Kharaz (Photo courtesy of University of Gothenburg) The area around the Jordan Valley was populated from the Neolithic Period and one of the most crucial preconditions for settlements in an arid area is access to fresh water. The perennial Wadi Al Yabis to the south is close, and the perennial Jordan River goes a few km to the west. The most important and most reliable water source during the entire year was certainly the easily accessible perennial Wadi Al Yabis. Its source lies around 1100 m above mean sea level. It flows almost due west to where it joins the River Jordan, approximately 25 km from its source and 250 m below mean sea level. "The highest amount of annual precipitation in Jordan, which is around 600 mm, is recorded close to the headwaters of the Wadi Al Yabis. The River Jordan, although at some distance from the settlement, also was a life-saving water source that was utilised during years of drought. Springs in the eastern foothills were other sources of water," said Professor Peter Fisher, adding that traces of ancient irrigation channels can be seen everywhere in the area surrounding the site. The Central Jordan Valley had sites like Pella, Tell Abu Kharaz, Beith Shan on the West Bank and North Shunneh. There may also once have been a channel through which water was transported from upstream Wadi Al Yabis, passing the site through the small valley between the site and the hillock to the south, which separates the site from the natural course of the Wadi Al Yabis farther south. Cisterns that were discovered on the site itself served as water reservoirs throughout the year. Rainwater was collected in them through a system of small channels. They were also utilised as containers for water, which was brought there from the nearest water source, Fisher continued, adding that water reservoirs were maintained by daily replenishment during the summer months, and this was certainly centrally organised in order to ensure the survival of the community on the site. "The arable land, with alluvial/colluvial soil around the site, is fertile and dry farming may have been possible and was certainly practiced during some periods, for example, during the Early Bronze Age occupation of Tell Abu Kharaz," Fisher underlined, saying that there is, however, no doubt that efficient farming was (and is) only possible with water irrigation systems. The major cereal crops that are present in the floral remains of floated Early Bronze Age soil from Tell Abu Al Kharaz are predominantly of einkorn/emmer wheat, with the majority of the grain being morphologically similar to two-grained einkorn. Lesser quantities of two-rowed hulled barley were present. And rare twisted grains and apparently naked ones give the impression that rare six-rowed hulled barley and naked barley could also have been present but in very small quantities, the professor said, noting that other cultivated species recovered in much smaller quantities from Early Bronze Age contexts include broad bean (Vicia faba) and lentil (Lens culinaris), which were important protein-rich food resources. " Flax [Linum usitatissimum] and olive [Oleaeuropaea] were recovered and were very likely cultivated as a source of oil or for their fiber or edible fruits respectively. The remains of fig are present, while evidence of grape [Vitis vinifera] was secured in the form of the whole dried fruits and pips," Fisher elaborated, The pips could have derived from eating either the fresh fruits or from winemaking but it seems most likely that fruits represent the remains of a dried grape product such as raisins. Non-crop species from the Early Bronze Age were dominated by members of the grass family but, with the exception of the grains of Lolium sp. (rye grass) and Bromus sp., are not abundant. "This genus contains a number of species that are common components of the weed flora of cultivated fields. They are all typical weeds that represent a contaminant of the cereal crops," Fisher said. Pistacia sp. was used economically for its oil and its flavoring and as a food. The legume Scorpiurusmuricatus L. is present in large numbers. This species is a common component of agricultural fields in the Jordan Valley and elsewhere. There are plenty of grazing grounds for domesticated animals on the foothills, which cannot be used for agriculture, Fisher explained. "The results of our osteological investigation disclose a clear diachronic pattern. There is a fairly high degree of similarity between the Early and Middle/Late Bronze Age samples, but the findings suggest a different situation during the Iron Age: the still predominant sheep and goats were significantly less important and cattle much more important than formerly," Fisher highlighted. No clear contrast can be seen in the case of pigs: Their relative scarcity shows that they were obviously of subordinate economic value. The remains of other food animals in the Tell Abu Al Kharaz assemblage include fallow deer and gazelle, which were clearly of some significance. Equid, dog, cat, and fox remains attest the presence of animals whose importance to the human community may also have lain in attributes other than their ability to provide meat, the professor pointer out, adding that bear may have been hunted for meat and furs. " Non-mammalian taxa were represented by bones of birds and very small amounts of fish, crab, frog, and tortoise/terrapin," Fisher concluded.
