Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/117518
PARSONS BRINKERHOFF the data are unusable. The success of a PPP project depends on the quality of project planning, stakeholder support, consideration of the major implementation issues in the planning stage and implementation arrangement, all of which require rich information. The technology and processes to turn such data into intelligent models now exist, and, with these models, gain insight into future investment planning. Advanced 3-D modeling technologies and associated BIM processes stretch infrastructure-investment dollars from public and private sources. They allow investors to gain more-accurate, accessible and actionable insight to help make better, more-informed decisions, accelerate project schedules and reduce project costs, while improving project-delivery predictability. This approach will help private investors achieve the following: Better understand and communicate project risk, intent, options and business outcomes. Maintain consistent data, context and processes across infrastructure lifecycles. Respond quickly to project changes while navigating dynamic market conditions and industry headwinds. BIM for infrastructure is a model-centric process, enabled by technology that can transform the infrastructure and asset lifecycle by increasing productivity, improving efficiency and lowering costs. Using information-rich models, it provides greater project insight; a "single source of truth" to improve coordination; and agile and powerful visualization, simulation and analysis tools to expand innovation. BIM can help stakeholders move important decisions from the field to the computer, where they're easier and more cost-effective to make. All stakeholders can develop a shared understanding of the project lifecycle through cross-disciplinary collaboration, reducing design errors and miscommunication, which, in turn, reduces risk and liability. True 3-D design and modeling tools enable planners, engineers and contractors to leverage existing conditions data, explore design alternatives and "what-if" scenarios with project investors to test options and simulate real-world performance, develop a better understanding of scheduling and cost (4-D and 5-D), assess environmental impacts, and provide the public with accurate visualizations of various stages of the project, all while keeping a geospatial context. New ways of funding projects, such as private investment into public infrastructure projects, must be considered to overcome financial challenges. The rich data that exist today need to be used differently than in the past. Discrete data need to be turned into actionable information that drives awareness and wise investment about infrastructure approaches as well as meets future needs. Coping with this necessitates a holistic approach to planning, design, construction and investing facilitated by BIM processes. BIM solutions can help cities and private infrastructure investors better understand the scope and complexity of their investments. Adopting BIM enables planning and design professionals to use a variety of data (e.g., social, political, economic and environmental) to create 3-D infrastructure models that help explore and analyze various project proposals and provide the transparency necessary to help make infrastructure a safe investment for all investors. Terry D. Bennett is the senior industry program manager for civil engineering and planning at Autodesk; e-mail: terry.bennett@autodesk.com. ADVERTISER PAGE GeoWorld Emergency Management eBook www.geoplace.com/ebooks 5 GeoWorld on Facebook www.facebook.com/geoworldmag 32 GeoWorld Subscriptions www.geoplace.com/subscribe GeoWorld Web Mapping eBook www.geoplace.com/ebooks M A R C H 2 O 1 3 / W W W . 9 31 . C O M 29