Finalists for Year in Infrastructure 2018 Awards: ROADS AND HIGHWAYS

Bentley Systems announced the finalists for Year in Infrastructure 2018 Awards in the category of Roads and Highways for going digital advancements in infrastructure:

• Alabama Department of Transportation

Birmingham, AL I-59/I-20 Corridor Project

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Project Playbook: Descartes, LumenRT, MicroStation, ProjectWise

The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) initiated the reconstruction of the I-59/I-20 interchange in the Birmingham Business District. The USD 750 million project required bridge construction works for 36 bridges, as well as roadway improvements. ALDOT’s Design Bureau Visualization Group was tasked with coordinating information exchange among multiple offices and utilities, as well as communicating with the public and stakeholders to quickly deliver an accurate 3D model that could be used to complete construction within 14 months. The renovated infrastructure will meet vehicular demands, improve aesthetics, and enhance accessibility along the state’s busiest corridor.

The team initiated a 3D BIM strategy using ProjectWise as the collaborative design platform to seamlessly share and exchange models and information, creating the models on schedule and saving tens of thousands of dollars. Using MicroStation’s clash detection feature enabled 1,000 interferences to be identified and resolved prior to construction, resulting in more than USD 10 million in savings. MicroStation and LumenRT allowed the stakeholders and public to view animated renderings rather than 2D drawings for better understanding of the project and improved decision making.

• Henan Provincial Communications Planning & Design Institute Co., Ltd.

BIM-based Further Design and Digital Construction of the Yaoshan-Luanchuan Section Project in the Zhengzhou-Xixia Expressway 

Luoyang, Henan, China

Project Playbook: Descartes, LumenRT, MicroStation, Navigator, OpenBridge Modeler, OpenRoads, PowerCivil, ProStructures

The Yaoshan-Luanchuan section of the Zengzhou-Xixia Expressway spans 78.8 kilometers in the mountainous region of Henan, China. It consists of 88 bridges, four interchanges, two interoperability hubs, and two long tunnels. Henan Provincial Communications Planning & Design Institute is responsible for delivering preliminary designs and construction drawings using BIM technology for design optimization, model creation, construction management, and operations and maintenance. Upon completion, the CNY 10.5 billion project will reach numerous scenic areas, making it a crucial tourism route for the city.

The project team used Bentley’s BIM and reality modeling technology—including MicroStation, OpenRoads, Open Bridge Modeler, and PowerCivil—for parametric 3D design and visualization deliverables for the civil infrastructure. Bentley applications enhanced drawing quality, minimized design changes, and improved modeling efficiency by 50 percent. They also reduced construction drawing errors by 1,350 items and resource costs by CNY 200,000. Implementing 3D BIM processes for digital construction management limited construction modifications and boosted efficiencies by 10 percent.

• Lebuhraya Borneo Utara

Pan Borneo Highway Sarawak

Sarawak, Malaysia

Project Playbook: AECOsim Building Designer, AssetWise, OpenBridge Modeler, OpenRoads, ProjectWise

Located in the Malaysian state of Sarawak on the Island of Borneo, the Pan Borneo Highway is planned as a four-lane dual carriageway that will span a total length of 1,060 kilometers, connecting one end of Sarawak to the other. The MYR 22.5 billion roadway will replace the current two-lane single trunk road that connects communities across the state. Lebuhraya Borneo Utara is responsible for design and construction, and they implemented a collaborative 3D BIM strategy to meet key performance indicators. Upon completion of the project, the carriageway will be a benchmark for Malaysian government initiatives, pioneering BIM Level 2 standards for delivery.

The team developed a project management information system using ProjectWise as the common data platform to streamline workflows and exchange information in different file formats, optimizing efficiency to save 2,600 resource hours per month. Using Bentley’s integrated design applications, including OpenBridge Modeler and OpenRoads for 3D modeling and analysis, enabled early detection of over 100 clashes, eliminating rework and saving time and costs. ProjectWise Construction Management was used to provide controls over the construction process, while AssetWise facilitated lifecycle asset maintenance and management.