This document discusses the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) for high speed rail projects. It notes that BIM can help improve predictability, reliability and quality for complex rail projects by providing consistent data and processes across the project lifecycle. The document presents case studies of BIM use and references growing investment in rail infrastructure projects across Southeast Asia and potential business opportunities for BIM solutions in those markets.
Our industry is in a mode of rapid transition due to disruptions/changes in technology, the environment and society
My presentation today is how the future, BIM (Building Information Management) is here and how our industry must embrace BIM or suffer the way of the drafting board; slide rulers and the floppy disk
I will focus on:
The nature of disruption and how to manage these disruptions through business transformation
Why High Speed Rail is a prime candidate to benefit from these disruptions
Why BIM is a catalyst to doing business better, cheaper, and faster
Some case studies
Let’s start with the Nature of Disruptions.
Today, we see three major disruptions that are directly affecting our industry and society as a whole
The means of production – how we think about and actually deliver high speed rail and other infrastructure, both intellectually and physically
Intellectually: The way people solve problems through innovation (better collaboration; unlimited access and computing)
Physically: The way people build or manufacture things (GPS Machine Control; Prefabrication; 3D Printing)
The nature of demand – the way customers and consumers make choices.
Shared economy
Greater urbanization
Climate change
Millennial generation
And the definition of products… The interconnectedness of things (or the internet of things) and how the digital and physical worlds are becoming one
Cell phones
All products can be and will be interconnected
Let’s start with the Nature of Disruptions.
Today, we see three major disruptions that are directly affecting our industry and society as a whole
The means of production – how we think about and actually deliver high speed rail and other infrastructure, both intellectually and physically
Intellectually: The way people solve problems through innovation (better collaboration; unlimited access and computing)
Physically: The way people build or manufacture things (GPS Machine Control; Prefabrication; 3D Printing)
The nature of demand – the way customers and consumers make choices.
Shared economy
Greater urbanization
Climate change
Millennial generation
And the definition of products… The interconnectedness of things (or the internet of things) and how the digital and physical worlds are becoming one
Cell phones
All products can be and will be interconnected
How do we manage these disruptions?
We’ve been through disruptions before, and my company Autodesk was the leading disruptor)…
First it was, the Era of Documentation, when we moved 2D drawings from the drafting board to the computer with AutoCAD
Today we are in the Era of Optimization. This is about using powerful 3D models for visualization, simulations and analytics to optimize a design before its built, and to maximize efficiencies during construction and its performance during operations and maintenance.
How do we manage these disruptions?
We’ve been through disruptions before, and my company Autodesk was the leading disruptor)…
First it was, the Era of Documentation, when we moved 2D drawings from the drafting board to the computer with AutoCAD
Today we are in the Era of Optimization. This is about using powerful 3D models for visualization, simulations and analytics to optimize a design before its built, and to maximize efficiencies during construction and its performance during operations and maintenance.
Today we are rapidly entering the Era of Connection.
The role of infrastructure designers, constructors and operator/maintainers will fundamentally changes.
Building the infrastructure right is no longer good enough.
Did we select the right infrastructure, in the right place, at the right time, with the right information
Are we using all the information from a single source of truth through the entire lifecycle of a project or a program
Conventional method during the era of documentation and optimization is a step process between each major phase
Its an environment where errors, delays, and cost overruns can be systemic
Conventional method during the era of documentation and optimization is a step process between each major phase
Its an environment where errors, delays, and cost overruns can be systemic
In the era of Connection, we better able to control these issues with a more consistent, transparent and systematic and collaborative workflow.
In the era of Connection, we better able to control these issues with a more consistent, transparent and systematic and collaborative workflow.
The physcial environment for rail compared to other transportation projects is highly constrained
Within a corridor that can stretch hundreds of miles with a width of between 15 to 30 m
Requires special civil and structures; earthworks and drainage; and other physical infrastructures such as track and electrification
Operating in the corridor are trains that weigh thousands of tons, carrying hundreds of passenger are traveling at high speeds
This environment requires seamless integration and interoperabilty with minimal tolerances for safety.
In the era of connection we are now able to integrate and collaborate with different data silos to interact and communicate, and with the unlimited computing capabilities with the cloud we can share and access these data
BIM is a model based process that is enabled by technology. It is often related to project delivery but yields the best results when part of the full asset lifecycle.
And leveraging the latest modeling with the latest in cloud, mobile and social technologies the BIM process will be greatly enhanced.
Before we move on I want to be clear that BIM is not …
Just 3D modeling and visualization
Just a better way to create 2D drawings
Just a fad for Building design and construction projects
Definition
Projects and programs must compete for funding, and therefore those that are better defined and properly positioned are most likely to be funded and progressed.
Using the intelligent model to gain a clear understanding of the project or using it to clearly communicate project proposals can better position projects in this environment
Continuity, this refers to having the not only the ability but the power and control to use the same consistent data across the project lifecycle, which is not a typical experience in conventional projects.
Flexibility
every rail project and program is subject to the several risks and uncertainty out of the customers control such as, political; environmental; and natural disasters.
Flexibility is needed to change direction (large or small) in a manner that minimizes cost and schedule impacts and can maintain the project readiness and positioning to advance to the next step.
BIM is a solution to better position a project or a program for funding or meeting expectations about cost and schedule
And it will provide better, smarter and more efficient processes to design, deliver, and execute projects with greater reliability, predictability and higher quality
First, to set the stage for this discussion…
This image of a model of the city of Los Angeles is a great example of just how big and detailed infrastructure models can get. Even better, it tells a great story about how many big and detailed infrastructure projects are demonstrating that we’re on the brink of another monumental era...
Imagine if project models were no longer bound by the software and could scale easily from a city block to the entire city and beyond to the entire state.
Imagine if you were able to bring together this disparate data into a single source of truth that could then be accessed easily by everyone, anywhere on the appropriate device. Effectively breaking down the data silos and 2D approaches of old, allowing every project to start with an in-context model.
What if you could use the power of reality capture, BIM, big data, cloud computing, and analytics to answer the questions that need to be answered to solve the $57 trillion global infrastructure challenge.
Multiple projects are the focus of this model including the LA Metro expansion and the California High Speed Rail project. As shown, the model basically scales to data for roughly the entire state of California.
HS 2:
115 Miles
400 km/h
£40 Billion
Andrew McNaughton, “I want to design, build, operate and maintain the program before the first shovel hits the ground”
BIM is being driven across the ecosystem for infrastructure projects
Owners are implementing BIM standards
Engineering firms are delivering BIM implementation plans and marketing BIM expertise
Government agencies are exploring BIM for infrastructure projects
BIM already a competitive advantage with owners and engineering firms for building projects
The future is here, think of it as an early warning system that how you will design, build and operate your projects and programs in the will change, the question is will you be ready and prepared for this change
Autodesk provides a range of services and tools to help with these changes and we encourage you to visit us at our booth and learn more.