Case Study
How Truax Corporation Transformed Manhole Inspections with TREKK360
Since 1958, Truax Corporation has been a leading provider of sewer and drainage services in New England. Based in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, the family-owned company offers catch basin cleaning, CCTV pipeline inspection, pipe jetting, hydro-excavation, manhole inspections, spot repairs, and lateral lining. Truax stands out by investing in advanced equipment and retaining a seasoned team, with many operators having been with the company for over a decade.
Operating across four states and performing up to 2 million feet of CCTV sewer inspections annually, Truax has built a reputation for delivering projects ahead of schedule and under budget. However, despite their success with mainline inspections, manhole assessments remained a persistent bottleneck. That is, until they discovered TREKK360.
Manual, Time-Consuming Inspection Process
Jamie Truax, who leads operations and is driving the company’s modernization efforts, explained that traditional manhole inspections were so inefficient that crews actively avoided them. “Back in the day it was definitely a lot more complicated—we had to manually type all the field info into software, measure everything by hand, and take pictures manually. It was a huge headache and took up a lot of downtime.” The old workflow required manual data entry, measuring tape work, and photo uploads. It caused delays, extra labor, and lower production efficiency. As a result, Truax avoided manhole inspections altogether unless required by contract.
Data Quality Issues and Limited Deliverables
Before TREKK360, deliverables were basic and lacked precision. “It used to be just a top-side picture, which you could barely see anything from. Now, it’s a whole 360° video of the entire manhole.” Older methods produced flat photos or limited inspection notes. Data lacked the depth and accuracy clients wanted, and engineers couldn’t measure defects or visualize the interior clearly.
Automated Data Capture and Rapid Deployment
TREKK360 automated and simplified the entire inspection process. With its motorized camera and self-leveling design, operators can quickly lower, record, and move onto measuring, typing, or re-entry required. “Now it’s simple—turn the camera on, drop it in, pull it up, and move to the next one. We can get over 100 a day with your equipment.” This drastically reduced inspection time per site, eliminated the need for specialized operators or manual post-processing, and enabled crews to complete 100+ manholes per day.
Increased Efficiency and Crew Productivity
TREKK360’s portable design allows rapid deployment without truck setup or calibration. It fits seamlessly into Truax’s high-output workflow, matching their pace of 2 million feet of mainline inspections per year. “With you guys, it’s just turn the camera on, turn the light on, drop it, pull it up, and move. That speed keeps us on top and helps us win bids.” The simplified workflow resulted in faster daily output, reduced turnaround times, and enabled Truax to bid competitively while delivering results faster than regional competitors.
Delivered Higher-Quality, More Stable Video Data
Older systems produced unstable or rotating video, leading to distorted 3D models and lower data quality. TREKK360’s motorized, self-leveling descent ensures a steady vertical drop—creating consistent 360° footage that AI software can easily stitch into accurate 3D models. “Other cameras rotate on the way down, and that messes up the model. With TREKK360, it’s dead-straight the whole way—the models come out perfect.” This produces crisper, distortion-free videos and precise 3D models that allow engineers to measure defects, steps, pipe diameters, and infiltration directly from the model, improving client confidence in data accuracy.
Enhanced Deliverables and Client Value
By combining TREKK360 with SewerAI, Truax now provides fully interactive 3D models and 360° videos. “It used to be just a top-side picture, which you could barely see. Now it’s a full 360 video of the whole manhole,” Jamie highlighted. Engineers can now zoom, pan, and take precise measurements within the models. Reports are more visual, accurate, and valuable, offering a modern inspection experience that truly differentiates Truax. This advanced process accelerates project turnaround, reduces manual coding, and guarantees consistent, high-quality results for even the largest projects. Initial skepticism quickly turned to full crew support for TREKK360’s user-friendliness and reliable performance.
Results
The adoption of TREKK360 delivered measurable improvements across Truax’s operations:
By replacing manual workflows with TREKK360, Truax has become a leader in modern sewer inspections across New England. Interactive 3D models differentiate them in client presentations, leading to more project wins and stronger relationships. Simplified workflows also make training easier, ensuring consistent quality.
As Truax continues to modernize, they expertly blend family tradition with innovation, proving that established businesses can thrive and evolve with the right tools and approach.
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