Patent Publication Number: US-7908062-B2

Title: System and method for preparing a worksite based on soil moisture map data

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to techniques and machine systems for preparing earthworks construction sites, and relates more particularly to a process and control strategy for selectively transferring fill soil between work areas via the use of soil moisture map data. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Road and building construction and many other earthworks projects can require transferring relatively large amounts of soil from one location to another. In some instances, the topography of a worksite needs to be altered by leveling the native soil, removing it, depositing soil in certain areas, etc. The project may specify a particular site topography for engineering purposes, land architecture or even aesthetics. Similarly, factors such as the lift thickness of sequentially deposited layers of fill soil, soil composition and moisture content may need to be strictly controlled. Numerous different machines such as compactors, tractors, haul trucks, scrapers, excavators, soil remediation machines and many others may all be used in preparing site topography and working soil in a given project. A site manager is often tasked with orchestrating the operation of all of these machines, with a premium placed on meeting deadlines, minimizing downtime and maximizing efficiency and quality. It will thus be appreciated that the overall process of preparing a worksite can be quite complex and demanding work. 
     Engineers and other individuals involved in earthworks construction practices have long recognized that soil moisture content tends to relate to the suitability of soil to serve as a supporting substrate or otherwise remain stable over time. The relative ease of working soil in anticipation of its end use, such as by compacting, may also be affected by moisture content. Overly dry soil may undergo physical changes as time passes and moisture penetrates, compromising the soil&#39;s integrity as a supporting substrate. Wet soil can likewise shift or otherwise become unstable over time. It may also be difficult to achieve proper compaction of soils having improper moisture content, though the resulting problems may not become apparent until later. Achieving an optimum moisture content in fill soil is thus preferred, and often critical, to a project&#39;s long-term success. 
     As mentioned above, site preparation for many earthworks projects can require transferring relatively large volumes of soil from one location to another. It is common for site engineers to select a “cut area” for obtaining fill soil, and a “fill area” where transferred fill soil is to be deposited. Fill soil is typically transferred via haul trucks or scraper machines from a cut area to a fill area in stages, each time laying down a layer or “lift” of soil which is subsequently compacted with compactor machines to a presumably proper compaction state. If soil having an improper moisture content, e.g. too wet or too dry, is deposited in one or more of the lifts, however, labor intensive re-working of the soil is often required. Soil which is too dry may be moistened by spraying water on the soil with a water truck. Soil which is too wet is often disked to mix it and increase the available surface area for ambient drying. Discerning whether soil has the appropriate moisture content prior to its deposition, however, has heretofore been challenging or impossible in most instances. 
     Present practice is therefore to measure soil moisture at the end of a construction phase, for example with moisture/density meters. Such meters are used to determine whether the relative amount of water within a certain sample of soil is either too high or too low, and can determine the overall density of a sample. If the soil is not at a desired moisture content or not compacted sufficiently, the aforementioned reworking techniques are typically used, and the soil once again compacted. Rework of already laid soil to obtain an appropriate moisture content consumes a substantial proportion of manpower and resources in many earthworks projects. It also reduces the economic viability for contractors and takes time. It will thus be readily apparent that advances in soil moisture control and/or monitoring prior to depositing soil at a fill site would be welcomed in the construction industry. 
     The present disclosure is directed to one or more of the problems or shortcomings set forth above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for preparing a worksite. The system includes at least one machine having at least one sensor mounted thereon which is configured to sense a parameter indicative of a moisture content of soil. The system further includes a receiver configured to receive position data of at least one of a cut area and a fill area, and a signaling device configured to output signals corresponding to the position data and data from the at least one sensor. The system still further includes at least one transfer machine configured to selectively transfer fill soil between the cut area and the fill area based at least in part on said signals. 
     In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a control system comprising at least one data processor, the at least one data processor being configured to receive sensor data from at least one sensor indicative of a moisture content of soil. The at least one data processor is further configured to receive position data of at least one of a cut area and a fill area. The control system further comprises a signaling device configured to output control signals based on the position data and the sensor data to a fill soil transfer machine. 
     In still another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of preparing a worksite. The method includes receiving soil moisture data for soil of at least one of a cut area and a fill area, and receiving position data for at least one of a cut area and a fill area. The method further includes outputting at least one signal corresponding to the soil moisture data and the position data, and selecting at least one of, a location within a cut area for obtaining fill soil with a transfer machine and a location within a fill area for depositing fill soil with a transfer machine, based at least in part on the at least one signal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a system for preparing a worksite according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic site model of an earthworks construction site; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic view of a display device for use in the system of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a soil moisture mapping and fill soil transfer process according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a system  10  for use in preparing a worksite. System  10  may include a first machine comprising a scraper machine  12  having a frame  14  and a scraper bowl  16 . Machine  12  may be used to obtain fill soil at a first location, commonly known as a “cut area,” and transfer a load of fill soil in bowl  16  to a second work area, generally referred to as a “fill area,” where the fill soil load is deposited. Other types of machines and groups of machines configured to selectively transfer fill soil such as haul trucks, excavators and loaders might also be used in system  10  instead of, or in addition to, machine  12 . System  10  may further include a second machine  50  configured to acquire soil moisture data used in generating soil moisture maps, as further described herein. To this end, machine  50  may include at least one soil moisture sensor  64  mounted thereon. Machine  50  may also include a receiver  56  such as a GPS receiver configured to receive position signals indicative of a position of machine  50  within a work area. Operation of one or more transfer machines such as machine  12  may be controlled or directed based on soil moisture data and position data, hereinafter “soil moisture map data,” obtained via machine  50 . In particular, soil moisture map data corresponding to locations of fill soil within a cut area and/or a fill area may be used in system  10  to select at least one of a cut location for obtaining fill soil within a cut area, and a fill location for depositing fill soil in a fill area. Selection of the cut and/or fill locations may be an automated action, or it might be carried out by a site manager, etc. As will be further apparent from the description herein, selectivity in obtaining and depositing fill soil via the use of soil moisture map data offers substantial advantages over the standard practice of end result testing for soil moisture content in earthworks projects. 
     In one embodiment, certain of the activities of machines  12  and  50  may be monitored and/or controlled at a base station  40 . Base station  40  may include at least one data processor such as a computer  48  configured to receive data transmitted from machines  50  and/or  12 . In one contemplated embodiment, a site manager or computer  48  may operate from base station  40  to render decisions and output control signals for machine navigation. Navigation of machine  12  may be controlled or directed from base station  40  based at least in part on soil moisture map data obtained via machine  50 . Thus, base station  40  may serve as a communication link between machines  50  and  12 , or other machines of system  10 . 
     Other operations such as soil conditioning via disking or water spraying of soil in situ, or mixing of fill soil loads, for example, may also be directed from base station  40 . Additional scrapers and other transfer machines, tractors, water trucks and a variety of other construction machines may be in communication with a site manager at base station  40 , or computer  48 , such that their movements and activities can be monitored and directed with the benefit of soil moisture map data. It is further emphasized that the illustration of system  10  in  FIG. 1  is illustrative only. The present disclosure might be implemented in the context of a complex system of operatively coupled machines, all in communication with base station  40  and/or one another. For example, two or more scraper machines similar to machine  12  may have communication links with machine  50 , either directly or via base station  40 , the scraper machines being controlled or directed based on soil moisture map data acquired by machine  50 . Alternatively, soil moisture map data acquisition and processing, as well as fill soil transfer, could all take place via a single machine. For example, scraper machine  12  could be equipped with the same or similar hardware as machine  50  and could move about a work area to acquire soil moisture map data, then obtain or deposit fill soil based on the soil moisture map data. or output signals to direct soil conditioning machines to selected areas. These various features and the attendant advantages will be further apparent from the following description. 
     As alluded to above, base station  40  may be used to receive data from machines  50  and/or  12 . To this end, base station  40  may include a receiver  44  configured to receive data from machine  50 . In one embodiment, soil moisture map data may be received from machine  50  via receiver  44 . Receiver  44  may be coupled with computer  48  such that soil moisture map data received from machine  50  may be recorded in a memory of computer  48 , for example in a database. After material is removed from a cut area or deposited in a fill area, additional soil moisture map data for the respective area may be obtained, and the soil moisture map data in the database updated. In still other instances, additional soil moisture map data may be used to increase the resolution of soil moisture map data stored in the database associated with computer  48 . Base station  40  may further include a local GPS receiver  42  to enable relatively more accurate positioning information than that available with satellite-based GPS alone. A signaling device such as a transmitter  46  coupled with computer  48  may also be located at base station  40  to permit transmission of signals to control or direct activities of machine  12 . Transmitter  46  might also be part of a simple radio communication link to allow a site manager to direct one or more of the machines of system  10  to take particular actions. While many earthworks construction projects will be undertaken with the use of a base station  40 , it should be appreciated that in other versions of system  10 , data processing, storage, manager decision making, etc. could all take place via one of the machines of system  10 . In such an embodiment, rather than transmitting soil moisture map data to base station  40 , machine  50  could transmit signals directly to machine  12  to control or direct activities of machine  12  via an on-board transmitter  54  of machine  50 . In still further embodiments, rather than wirelessly transmitting soil moisture map data, machine  50  may simply record soil moisture map data which is later downloaded to computer  28 , and used in selecting and/or controlling actions of machine  12 , or integrated into a site management plan for later reference. 
     Turning to specific but not limiting elements of other components of system  10 , machine  12  may include an operator cab  18  having a display device  20 . Machine  12  may also include a first receiver  26  such as a GPS receiver configured to receive position signals whereby a location or relative location of machine  12  may be determined. Machine  12  may also include another receiver  25  for receiving signals transmitted from base station  40 . In one embodiment, display device  20  may comprise a graphical display device, further described herein, whereas in other embodiments display device  20  might comprise a lamp or LED, for example, configured to convey information in an operator-perceptible manner. Display device  20  may also be configured to indicate at least one of, a selected location within a fill area for depositing fill soil and a selected location within a cut area for obtaining fill soil, responsive to signals transmitted from base station  40 . This will enable an operator for machine  12  to follow directions received from base station  40  by viewing them on display device  20 . Indicating such a selected location may take place via graphics, brightness, color, blinking areas, etc. of a map displayed on display device  20  for a given work area. Where a base station is not used, display device  20  could function by receiving signals directly from machine  50 . In either case, system  10  will typically include a signaling device at one of base station  40  and machine  50  for outputting a signal to machine  12  which prompts generation of a particular display via display device  20 . Machine  12  may further include a data processor  30  coupled with transmitter  24  and with receivers  25  and  26  via one or more communication lines  29 , and coupled with display device  20  via another communication line  23 . 
     Returning now to certain aspects of machine  50 , the at least one sensor  64  of machine  50  may comprise a non-contact sensor configured to sense a parameter indicative of a moisture content of soil. In one embodiment, sensor  64  may comprise a microwave sensor configured to scan moisture content of soil without contacting the soil as machine  50  moves within a work area, for example a sensor of the type available from Hydronix, of Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom. In other embodiments, commercially available contact soil moisture sensors may be used, a variety of which are commercially available. Machine  50  may further include a receiver  56  configured to receive position data indicative of a location of machine  50  within a work area, receiver  56  being mounted on an operator cab  58 . Machine  50  may be a mobile machine having a frame  52  whereupon operator cab  58  is mounted, such that an operator can drive machine  50  about a work area to collect soil moisture data via sensor  64 . Machine  50  might alternatively consist of an autonomous machine, or might even be a tow behind or hand held implement. A transmitter  54  may further be mounted on machine  50  to output signals corresponding to soil moisture data obtained via sensor  64  and machine position data obtained via receiver  56 . 
     Machine  50  may further include a data processor or computer  60  coupled with sensor  64  via a communication line  62 , with receiver  56  via another communication line  57  and with receiver  54  via yet another communication line  59 . Computer  60  may thus be configured to receive position signals from receiver  56  and sensor inputs from sensor  64 . Computer  60  may also include a memory  63  such as RAM, a hard drive, flash memory, etc. and a memory writing device  61  coupled with memory  63 . Computer  60  may thus be used to store soil moisture map data, and update the soil moisture map data by overwriting or supplementing previously acquired data when additional data for a given area is obtained. 
     Computer  60 , memory  61 , memory writing device  63 , sensor  64 , receiver  56 , and transmitter  54  may be elements of a control system  70  used in processing soil moisture map data and controlling or directing the operation of machine  12  and other machines which may be part of system  10 . Control system  70  is illustrated as being mounted on machine  50 , however, it should be appreciated that some or all of the components thereof might be located elsewhere in system  10 . For example, memory  61  and memory writing device  63  might be components of computer  28  located at base station  40 . Moreover, computer  48 , receivers  42  and  44  and transmitter  46 , as well as computer  30 , display device  20 , transmitter  24  and receivers  25  and  26  may all be parts of an integrated control system for system  10 . Thus, control system  70  might include a plurality of computers, sensors, receivers and transmitters all in communication with one another, the location of which may vary substantially in system  10 . In still other embodiments, a single data processor might be configured to receive soil moisture map data, select an appropriate fill and/or cut location and output a control signal based on the soil moisture map data to a transfer machine adapted to selectively transfer fill soil based on the control signal. 
     Referring also now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a schematic site plan model illustrating certain aspects of a fill soil transfer process using system  10  in accordance with the present disclosure. Two separate machines  50   a  and  50   b  are shown, each of machines  50   a  and  50   b  being similar to machine  50  shown in  FIG. 1 . Two separate transfer machines  12   a  and  12   b  are also shown, similar to machine  12  shown in  FIG. 1 . Machine  50   a  may be initially moved within a first work area W 1 , comprising a cut area. As machine  50   a  is moved within work area W 1 , soil moisture data for soil within work area W 1  may be sensed. Machine  50   b  may likewise be moved within work area W 2 , for example a fill area, and soil moisture data for soil within work area W 2  sensed. Each of machines  50   a  and  50   b  may be moved about the respective work area until it has been traversed at least once, while receiving position data. By associating soil moisture data for the respective work areas with position data for machines  50   a  and  50   b , soil moisture maps for the respective work areas may be generated. Soil moisture map data may be received at base station  40 , one or a plurality of cut and/or fill locations selected, and corresponding signals output to machines  12   a  and  12   b  to enable their navigation within and between work areas W 1  and W 2  in accordance with the selected cut and/or fill locations. 
     Soil moisture may vary significantly and even irregularly across a given work area, depending upon such factors as soil type, slope, elevation, etc. Soil moisture mapping could therefore result in relatively complex soil moisture maps. Accordingly, it may be desirable to group different regions of a work area having different, but similar moisture content together. In other words, in some instances it may be most useful to divide a given work area into zones based on an average moisture content. In  FIG. 2 , work area W 1  is illustrated as it might appear having three different Zones, A, B and C, with three different average moisture levels. In particular, Zone A is shown with diagonal dashed lines corresponding to an approximately optimum soil moisture content, Zone B is identified with horizontal dashed lines corresponding to an overly dry soil moisture content and Zone C is shown with wavy lines corresponding to an overly wet soil moisture content. 
     Also illustrated in  FIG. 2  are two separate travel paths, identified via arrows Z and X. Travel path Z indicates one possible path for scraper machine  12   a  which will pass through Zone A and thereby enable scraper machine  12   a  to obtain a full fill soil load of soil having optimum or near optimum moisture content. Travel path X indicates one possible travel path for scraper machine  12   b  which will pass partially through Zone B and partially through Zone C and thereby enable scraper machine  12   b  to obtain a full fill soil load which is approximately 50% too dry and approximately 50% too wet. The average moisture content of the fill soil load obtained via scraper machine  12   b  may therefore be close to an optimum moisture content. Various means such as on-board mixing augers are contemplated for use with transfer machines according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, machine  12   b  might be equipped to mix its fill soil load while in transit. In other instances, mixing or other soil conditioning could be carried out after the fill soil load is deposited. 
     Each of scraper machines  12   a  and  12   b  may therefore obtain fill soil loads having average moisture contents near optimum. In such cases, the fill soil load may be deposited at work area W 2  generally anywhere that fill soil is needed. In some instances, however, soil moisture mapping at the fill area may also be considered in selecting where to deposit fill soil loads with machines  12   a  and  12   b .  FIG. 2  illustrates a soil moisture map for work area W 2  having three Zones, D, E and F. In particular, work area W 2  is shown as it might appear where Zones E and F are found to have an optimum, or near optimum, average soil moisture content. Zone D, however, may have a moisture content so wet, for example, that soil working or ambient drying is desired prior to depositing any fill soil at all at Zone D. This condition of Zone D is illustrated via the X-shaped hatching in Zone D. Thus, in the illustrated example, travels paths Z and X are selected such that each of the corresponding fill loads of machines  12   a  and  12   b  are deposited in Zones E and F, but no fill soil is to be deposited yet at Zone D. After the fill soil loads are deposited, machines  12   a  and  12   b  may return to cut area W 1  to obtain additional fill soil loads, with the cut locations being selected based on the previously generated soil moisture map data, or on updated data acquired by moving machine  50   a  about the work area again. 
     It should be appreciated that while in certain embodiments, soil moisture maps might be generated for both of work areas W 1  and W 2 , in other embodiments soil moisture mapping of only one of the respective work areas might take place. Moreover, mapping of the fill area might be undertaken prior to depositing fill soil, or only after fill soil has been deposited. Embodiments are also contemplated wherein soil moisture maps are updated after fill soil has been removed and/or after fill soil has been deposited. In such cases, machines  50   a  and  50   b  may be moved about the corresponding work area after fill/deposition with machines  12   a  and  12   b , and additional soil moisture map data transmitted to base station  40 . Following updating the soil moisture maps, different moisture contents of different zones may be revealed, and a different transfer strategy formulated on the basis of the updated maps. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown diagrammatically a display device  20  suitable for use in accordance with the present disclosure. In particular, display device  20  might be mounted in a transfer machine such as scraper machines  12 ,  12   a  and  12   b . Display device  20  may include a display screen  35  whereupon a graphical representation of cut area W 1  may be displayed, for example. The graphical representation displayed on display screen  35  might also include an icon representing the machine wherein display device  20  is mounted, shown as machine  12   b  in  FIG. 3 , as well as an arrow A indicating an appropriate travel path for the machine within the work area. Reference numeral P is used to identify a different color display, or other graphical representation, distinguishing a portion of cut area W 1  across which machine  12   b  has already passed. Display device  20  may further include control buttons  31 , a speaker  33 , a power button  34 , as well as a keypad  32 . Display device  20  may also be configured to display an icon  36  which illustrates a scale of soil moisture content corresponding to each of a plurality of different soil conditions which may be displayed on display screen  35 . 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a soil moisture mapping and fill soil transfer process  100  according to one embodiment. Process  100  may begin at Step  105 , Start, and may then proceed to Step  110  wherein a machine such as machine  50  is moved within a first area. From Step  110 , process  100  may proceed to Step  115  wherein soil moisture data, for example from sensor  64 , is received. It should be appreciated that the area selected for soil moisture analysis via machine  50  may be either of cut area W 1  or fill area W 2 . In some instances, both of cut area W 1  and fill area W 2  may be mapped, as described herein. From Step  115 , process  100  may proceed to Step  120  wherein position data indicative of soil locations within the first area are received. Computer  60  may be configured to receive inputs from sensor  64 , as well as inputs from receiver  56 . Based on the respective inputs, processor  60  may generate soil moisture mapping signals corresponding to the soil moisture data and the position data received from the respective sensor  64  and receiver  56 . The moisture mapping signals may be stored in memory  61 , but might alternatively be transmitted directly to computer  48  at station  40  or directly to machine  12 . 
     From Step  120 , process  100  may proceed to Step  125  wherein a machine such as machine  50  or another machine is moved within a second area, one of areas W 1  and W 2  for example. From Step  125 , process  100  may proceed to step  130  wherein soil moisture data for the second area is received. From Step  130 , process  100  may proceed to Step  135  to receive position data indicative of soil locations within the second area. 
     In Step  140  and Step  145 , once the necessary soil moisture and position data is received, soil moisture maps for the first area and the second area, respectively, may be generated. As described herein, the present disclosure is not limited to generating soil moisture maps via any particular device of system  10 . For instance, the soil moisture map might be generated via computer  60  and displayed on a display screen of machine  50  or machine  12 . The soil moisture maps might alternatively be generated via computer  48 , and displayed at station  40 . The map data might also be stored in memory, and used in directing operations of system  10  without actually displaying a map anywhere. As mentioned above, machine  12  could also serve as a machine to acquire soil moisture and position data and generate the appropriate maps. Following generating the soil moisture maps, and displaying the corresponding maps, process  100  may proceed to Step  150  to select a cut and/or fill location based on the soil moisture maps. In one embodiment, it is contemplated that a site manager at station  40  would be provided with soil moisture maps displayed via computer  48  of each of cut area W 1  and fill area W 2 . The site manager could then make an appropriate decision as to what soil to move where, based on comparing the respective maps. Comparison of maps or soil moisture map data may also be performed via one of the computers of system  10 . 
     From Step  150 , process  100  may proceed to Step  155  wherein a soil moisture map is displayed on a machine-mounted display device such as display device  20 . From Step  155 , process  100  may proceed to Step  160  to indicate a selected cut/fill location via the display device. In this fashion, a machine operator such as an operator driving machine  12 , can be directed to follow a particular route, cut and/or fill at a particular location, etc. From Step  160 , process  100  may proceed to Step  165  to transfer a fill soil load between cut area W 1  and fill area W 2 . From Step  165 , process  100  may proceed to Step  170  to query whether the project or construction phase is complete. If at Step  170 , fill soil transfer is not complete, process  100  may proceed to Step  175 . If yes, process  100  may Finish at Step  185 . In other words, at Step  170 , soil moisture mapping and related activities may be suspended if transferring fill soil is no longer necessary, or is contemplated to be unnecessary for some time. 
     If fill soil transfer is to continue, at Step  175 , additional soil moisture data and additional position data for the cut area and/or the fill area may be received. The additional soil moisture and position data may be obtained by again moving machine  50  within one of work areas W 1  and W 2 . It is contemplated that removing fill soil from a particular area, as well as depositing fill soil at a particular area, may cause the soil moisture map(s) to change. Accordingly, once the additional data is received, at Step  180  the soil moisture maps may be updated on the basis thereof. From Step  180 , process  100  may return to Step  150  to select a cut and/or fill location based on the updated soil moisture maps, and may then loop back through steps  155 - 170 . 
     The present disclosure provides an altogether new strategy for selectively transferring fill soil between a cut area and a work area. This approach is contemplated to provide pertinent soil moisture data to a site manager or a computer such that soil having an appropriate moisture content may be deposited where it is most advantageous. In other words, dry soil might be deposited on top of wet soil, wet soil might be deposited on top of dry soil. Wet soils and dry soils may even be combined in a single fill soil load and mixed prior to or after deposition. By providing the relevant information beforehand, end result testing and rework associated with end result testing will be substantially reduced over current practice, or even eliminated. The overall quality of the construction project will be improved, and the time and effort required for quality assurance will likewise be improved over past practices. Whether the planning and implementation of an earthworks project is achieved via a single machine operated as described herein, or a large group of machines, the present disclosures promises dramatic improvements over the current state of the art. 
     It should further be appreciated that while the present disclosure discusses a relatively small number of steps in a worksite preparation process, a construction phase may involve the transfer of many fill soil loads, and moisture maps for one or both of the cut area and the fill area may be generated, resolved and/or updated numerous times. Each time soil moisture map data is acquired, subtle or significant changes in planning may take place. Moreover, worksite preparation may require many days of work, and the soil moisture content for a given area may change due to precipitation and ambient drying, as well as the removal or deposition of fill soil. The present disclosure enables monitoring of soil moisture in real time such that any changes in soil moisture content may be accounted for in an overall worksite preparation plan. 
     The present description is for illustrative purposes only, and should not be construed to narrow the breadth of the present disclosure in any way. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications might be made to the presently disclosed embodiments without departing from the full and fair scope of the present disclosure. For example, while many construction projects transfer fill soil between relatively close cut and fill areas with scraper machines, the present disclosure is not thereby limited. In other embodiments, intermediary haul trucks might be used to transfer fill soil between relatively more remote locations for which soil moisture maps are generated. Rather than scrapers, loaders might be used in transferring soil, for example by loading a haul truck with fill soil from a location selected via the use of a soil moisture map. Thus, it will be readily apparent that a relatively large fleet of construction machines could have their operation controlled, monitored, influenced and tracked for the purpose of optimally transferring fill soil between locations. Other aspects, features and advantages will be apparent from an examination of the attached drawings and appended claims.