2021 Snapshot:
When the green flag drops and race cars accelerate to more than 180 miles per hour, every inch matters. That reality made the Music City Grand Prix unlike any other project TWM had encountered. Held in the heart of downtown Nashville, the event featured one of the most unique street circuits in professional racing—a 2.17-mile course that crossed the Cumberland River on the iconic Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge.
It was the first time in INDYCAR history that a street race crossed a major body of water, making the bridge not only a Nashville landmark, but the defining feature of the entire race experience.
For drivers, it was a thrilling 553-yard straightaway (equivalent to 5.5 football fields) where speeds reached their peak. For TWM’s surveyors, it presented a different challenge altogether.
Precision at Speed: Mapping a Bridge for Racing
Unlike purpose-built racetracks, street circuits rely on existing infrastructure. Every pavement transition, bump, rut, or surface irregularity can affect vehicle performance, driver safety, and race operations.
Before race weekend could begin, organizers needed an accurate understanding of the bridge’s pavement conditions and surface characteristics. The challenge was gathering that information quickly, safely, and without disrupting traffic on one of Nashville’s busiest river crossings.
LiDAR Meets INDYCAR
This is where TWM’s geospatial team came in. Using advanced 3D mobile LiDAR technology, TWM captured millions of highly accurate data points across the bridge while keeping traffic moving and survey crews safely out of active travel lanes. The mobile scanning equipment collected detailed surface information at roadway speeds, dramatically reducing field time while providing a comprehensive digital representation of the bridge.
But collecting data was only the first step. Using specialized software, TWM transformed the LiDAR scans into detailed surface models that allowed the project team to identify areas where pavement conditions deviated from required specifications. The resulting analysis provided race organizers with a precise understanding of the roadway surface, helping ensure the circuit would perform as intended when race cars crossed the bridge at maximum speed.
What may have appeared to spectators as a smooth stretch of pavement was actually the product of extensive analysis and advanced geospatial technology working behind the scenes.
Beyond the Grand Prix
While the Music City Grand Prix was certainly a high-profile project, the technology behind it is something TWM uses every day to solve infrastructure challenges. The same LiDAR tools that helped prepare a bridge for INDYCAR racing are also helping communities make informed decisions about transportation infrastructure, safety improvements, and long-term asset management.
TWM has performed mobile, terrestrial, and UAV-based LiDAR surveys for municipalities and departments of transportation throughout Tennessee, Missouri, and Illinois. Applications have included roadway design surveys, pavement management programs, deformation analysis, ADA compliance evaluations, and corridor mapping projects ranging from single intersections to city-wide networks.
Turning Data into Decisions
The Music City Grand Prix showcased more than world-class racing—it demonstrated how modern tools and technology can capture critical information quickly, safely, and with exceptional accuracy. For TWM, the project served as a reminder that whether the goal is designing a roadway, evaluating infrastructure, or preparing a bridge for race cars traveling at triple-digit speeds, success starts with reliable data. And when race weekend arrived, that data helped ensure one of the most memorable and iconic features of the Music City Grand Prix was ready for its moment in the spotlight.
