With the recent bills and initiatives to help improve our infrastructure, there has been a lot of focus on its current state. Many are shocked to learn that 43 percent of our roads were given a D grade from ASCE. 45,000 bridges are in poor condition and in need of immediate repair.
The next several decades will be full of tons of projects on our roads, bridges, and more to fix this problem.How can we keep up with all the improvements that need to happen? Some engineering firms and government officials are suggesting moving to digital delivery to help.
What Is Digital Delivery?
Digital delivery is simply a method of exchanging information over electronic devices like cell phones, computers, etc. Often combined with Digital Twins, instead of passing over a set of drawings, you send over a digital model of the project.
Digital delivery incorporates digital data in the design process, and also at points further along. By using digital data during the construction, inspection, and as-built phases, we can incorporate real-time data as construction progresses.
How Can Digital Delivery Help with Fixing Our Infrastructure
Fixing our infrastructure problem won’t be a simple task. The recent Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will be the largest investment by the federal government in public transportation ever. There are around 173,000 miles of highway and 45,000 bridges that will need major repair and rebuilding.
This will be one of the biggest efforts by our engineering and construction firms. There will be a lot of pressure on owners and engineers as we take on the many projects. Add to this the current struggles with finding qualified engineering staff and we could use any help we can find.
This is where digital delivery comes in. The three major benefits of digital delivery are: a higher level of detail to designs, increased efficiency, and a smoother handoff process.
Contactors have a complete and more accurate representation of what they have to build. This helps them be more accurate as they construct the structure. The contractors will have digital models to reference and accurately understand the design intent. These models will have a higher level of detail and perspectives that 2D drawings can’t convey.Using digital delivery, you should see fewer RFIs throughout the construction process.
Using digital delivery designers can test different scenarios during the construction. This helps them maximize the constructability and refine project costs. This allows them to be more efficient. Engineering firms will have to try to do more with fewer engineers.
Digital delivery significantly improves the As-built stage. Instead of having to mark up print outs of the 2D drawings, contractors can collect the digital data needed to construct the As-builts. This saves valuable time.
As more of these infrastructure projects start up, engineering firms and government entities will be doing what they can to increase efficiency and not get behind. Several have already turned to digital delivery to help.
The Utah Department of Transportation, The New York Department of Transportation, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation have all initiated projects that require digital delivery. Government entities recognize the benefits of digital delivery – especially now. Engineering firms will need to convert to keep up.