date population growth, digital tools will continue to improve and ex- pand the applications for bridge, roadway, and other civic projects. The Internet of Things, smart grids, and smart cities mean that the world in which we live will continue to grow in the amount, quality, and speed of data it produces daily on usage, patterns, and performance. While the University Avenue project illustrates the many uses for digital applications in the data capture, engineering and design, and construction phases of a project, an area for future growth is in opera- tions and asset management. A digital twin is powerful in continually modeling future scenarios and conveying vital data about improve- ment opportunities, leading to better planning, decision making, and allocation of funding. The use of Augmented Reality and machine learning will continue to grow to support the entire project lifecycle by efficiently analyzing data and returning viable scenarios, leading to quicker and more ac- curate decision making. Over the last decade, the changes made in how we deliver infra- structure projects are substantial; technology has transformed our processes, communication, and deliverables. Ten years ago, it was common to deliver a binder of drawings at project completion, and now we are delivering an interactive digital twin that provides flex- ibility, intelligence, and countless opportunities for future use. In the next 10 years the pace of change will continue to increase, with digital applications becoming better, faster, and more integrated with the as-built world, providing incredible potential for deliver- ing improved infrastructure projects.
The reliable and accurate data produced by using digital tools and con- solidating data within a single BIM allows such third parties as con- struction contractors to provide detailed cost estimates that are often lower than anticipated, and actual costs can be even further reduced. The BIM for the University Avenue project resulted in a reduction of 3 percent, or $500,000, on construction costs from bid amounts. Digital tools allow for tracing of design and engineering changes and incorporating feedback in hours. Manual input processes are reduced as applications work seamlessly with one another, and dark data, or dead-end data, is reduced or eliminated, ensuring high quality, useful data is captured and incorporated. Digital Transformation Applications for Future Infrastructure Projects Whether replacing aging infrastructure or building new to accommo- Leverage is a concept taken for granted in contemporary engineering. The word has its origins in the dawn of the First Industrial Revolution. In the broader context, both in its literal and figurative sense, leverage denotes accomplishing tasks with fewer resource inputs. Throughout human history, successful technologies, from harnessing fire to the Shifting the Needle: Increasing BIM adoption for Horizontal Infrastructure Design, a Long-range View By Anand Stephen, PE, CME
AARON MONIZA is a Professional Engineer and Senior Client Manager of Infrastructure Solutions at Foth.
wheel, have one thing in common: they produce greater output by using lesser inputs. In other words, technologies that use leverage ef- fectively have a lasting impact. For those following the state of infrastructure, the infrastructure deficit and deferred maintenance is no surprise. Infrastructure forms the basis of any society's economy. Yet, nations dedicate a minuscule proportion of their GDP towards their infrastructure. Increasing the budget is an obvious solution; however, it is a fraught political process. How do we begin to make a dent in the additional infrastructure needed and reduce deferred maintenance? In other words, how can we do more with fewer resource inputs? By using technologies, we can leverage our resources to make a dent in the infrastructure gaps. But first, we need to increase the adoption of existing technologies. Taking a long-term view, I will address a few points in this article. Building Information Modeling (BIM) has been
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