June 2, 2009 Autodesk helps states spend stimulus dollars Play video

(NECN: Lauren Collins, Manchester, NH) - Federal stimulus dollars are putting Americans back to work on the nation's highways, but companies behind the scenes are reaping rewards as well.

Autodesk manager Richard Humphrey says "we talk about accountability, transparency as a requirement of the stimulus plan and our tools help allow that."

Autodesk is a 3-D software design firm with an acclaimed reputation in the film industry. The company also has an east coast engineering and construction division that brings highway blueprints to life.

Senior Industry Manager Terry Bennett describes the programs that "allow you to do the design, visualize it, understand what is the impact, analyze it. To simulate it. No different than virtual reality."

At the Manchester, New Hampshire, office, engineers are hard at work on simulations for shovel ready projects, thanks to the money states now have for infrastructure improvements through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Bennett says the money has "caused (states) to really re-look at Autodesk and take us to the next level."

The benefit is two-fold. Autodesk has a higher demand for its expertise, but the company also ensures complicated projects run smoothly and efficiently.

The software accounts for the buildings, the trees the fire hydrants, even the underground utilities already in place, plots them with extreme precision and then designs the roadway around

As Bennett says, "if you're gonna fail you fail on the computer, not on the real project."

Which Humphrey believes is especially important for projects funded by taxpayer dollars, and the "public wants to make sure that their dollars are being used wisely. That's what this technology is really doing today."

Autodesk laid off about ten percent of its nationwide work force in January, though this division has faired better than others in the company and expects to stay busy with stimulus-funded projects over the next several years.