Strategic Solutions for digital delivery of infrastructure project
Digital delivery of infrastructure is done through the exchange of information and models. It is extremely popular for design and construction purposes where it is used for sharing information easily for the asset management lifecycle. This is something that more and more industries are incorporating to have a stronger hold over the delivery system of their area and in that matter, state.
With the progression toward digital delivery, the use of BIM for road and highway design has increased. Now there is a facility for digital tracking of materials, systematic inventory management, and proper maintenance of asset management. Since the 2000s Iowa DOT is providing 3D roadway models and has adopted BIM for both construction and design. And in the last few years, it has also started taking contracts for BIM for construction documentation. This has led the industry to forward digital strategies in the right direction.
What does DOT's plan include?
- Making use of the data management processes as per the Iowa DOT enterprise goals
- Management of assets with the help of digital models that showcases the as-built environment.
- To develop consistent digital deliverables, both in 2D and 3D information to be used effectively by the stakeholders to improve efficiency and provide support to the models for better documentation which can be helpful for legal purposes as well.
- Engaging the latest tools with advanced technologies can be fruitful for investments.
What are the advantages of designing through asset management and construction?
What does DOT's plan include?
Digital delivery is not something that is going to benefit only one part of the industry. It is a comprehensive process that takes multiple factors long and uses them to help numerous users. The effect of a constant digital workflow would change the entire system by providing an overall infrastructure for this.
Engineering
With the wide collaborations with BIM Automation, the designing becomes extremely efficient. This impacts digital delivery positively. In a traditional way, all the engineering plans came from designs created as PDF files. These files were reviewed by the engineers individually and markups were provided. Moving towards a completely digital setup, enhanced the collaboration and productivity with the digital 2D and 3D models. The reviews can access these workflows from anywhere remotely as they are stored in the cloud.
Construction
Digital delivery streamlines the planning and executing part of the construction project. In earlier ways, for bidding on a project the contractors would review a few 2D bid plans and then go on creating independent models for bidding and project management. With strategic planning, the traditional method would be shifted to a comprehensive digital delivery system. This would provide an immense amount of information to the contractors to have better communication and understanding of the designs.
As-Built Assets
Digital delivery of the as-built drawings after the completion of a construction project gives rise to a rich set of data for proper asset management. This digital workflow provides valuable data that is needed for maintenance and operations purposes.
Goals
There are two kinds of goals followed by any agency to incorporate the digital delivery system on a regular basis. These goals help in achieving the aimed result easily and in a planned manner. Tactical goals are the short-term goals designed by a company whereas strategic goals encompass several broader goals that are looked at from a long-term perspective. These goals help in streamlining the entire function and bringing together the digital delivery for infrastructures.
Tactical goals followed
Iowa DOT has a set of goals prioritized. The top tactical goals start with developing a smooth communication base for the stakeholders and a proper plan for engaging everyone to understand digital delivery in a straightforward way. There are supporting documents that explain the various initiatives that help in making adjustments by the workforce and bring in use the digital delivery workflows.
The other tactic that is taken into consideration is constantly developing the data requirements as per the needs of DOT. Defining the information would ensure the deliverables are at the right time. This eases the process of collecting information for a smooth digital procedure.
With such digital delivery workflows, it becomes simpler for organizations to share any piece of information across teams and manage their assets in a structured form. It helps external users like suppliers, contractors, and sub-contractors the most.
What are the strategic goals?
The strategic goals are created to be used for the longer run, resulting in better scope and solution.
Standards
Development of standards and certain guidelines for data structures, naming conventions, and geospatial connections for all DOT systems.
Transfer of data
Streamlining the entire process that also enables better data-sharing facilities.
Systems
Adaption of the latest plans as per the requirements to suit the digital workflow and also for retrieving any data from documents.
Implementation of pilot projects
One of the best ways to adopt digital delivery is by implementing pilot projects. It helps in bringing digital delivery for the project lifecycle while keeping in the loop the collaboration and communication factor for the users. The right utilization of pilot projects gives a relevant foundation for industry specialists. It helps in aligning with the IFC, other norms, and standards. It also helps in connecting specific information to the construction to provide a digital as-built model. The right kind of project gives immense clarity to proceed in the path and make the right decisions in the course of the project planning and execution.
