During the design phase of project delivery, numerous models are often produced. Despite information being presented in a 3D environment, the static nature of models limits the extent that construction sequencing and methodology information can be easily displayed.
Visualizations offer support for the delivery of major infrastructure projects in a number of ways. Visualizations deliver real-time, realistic and technically accurate representations of complex assets, resulting in increased levels of communication, clarity and engagement for all stakeholders.
Visualizations can help major transport and infrastructure projects communicate detailed construction methodologies, crane sequencing, site coordination, haulage routes and the logistics of on-site activity for all stakeholders, including the general public.
An example would be in major road projects, where the movement of vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists can be fully animated, with Visualizations allowing clients to virtually illustrate critical activities such as new road and cycle path layouts, local traffic management plans, pedestrian accessibility and wayfinding.
Applications for animations in complex infrastructure projects
Stakeholder Engagement
Major transport and infrastructure projects can have huge impacts on local communities, making the social license to operate vital. Open and transparent communication with the local community from the planning phase through to the completion of the construction process is essential.
3D visualizations can be a highly effective way to communicate complex information to all stakeholders, articulating factors such as environmental and social impacts, pollution and waste mitigation strategies, construction timelines, and local traffic management plans.
Construction Sequencing
Construction sequencing animations provide a multitude of benefits, including the ability to visualize complex construction processes and communicate them to a range of stakeholders. This enables more accurate planning, scheduling, and coordination among project teams, which can ultimately lead to improved efficiency, reduced costs, and on-time project delivery.
Through the integration of digital engineering data sets across a range of disciplines, visualizations can be used to effectively communicate project progress and status to all stakeholders, enhancing collaboration and facilitating better decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.
Maintenance and Shutdowns
3D visualizations can be used for ongoing asset management and maintenance protocols to mitigate or eliminate safety risks, help reduce schedule slippage, and alleviate economic concerns.
During maintenance and shutdowns, asset owners and operators must communicate with two key stakeholder audiences: the workforce and decision makers. These two audiences require unique information to satisfy their divergent objectives and concerns.
With maintenance and asset management activities often impacting company revenue, shareholders and senior executives want to know the process involved, as well as likely risks. Visualizations can communicate this information quickly and accurately telling the shutdown story via an easily digestible output.
A second animation can be created for the workforce that contains more detailed information, outlining step-by-step how the maintenance works need to be executed. This helps to reduce or eliminate workplace risks, which should be at the core of any industrial workplace’s values.
With the input of the project teams, these animations are frequently used for maintenance and shutdown activities to reduce schedule slippage and mitigate safety concerns through upfront virtual planning, ensuring that project requirements are fully understood and agreed to by all parties.
Tender Support, Sales and Marketing
Contractors can enhance bid packages by incorporating animations into their tender documentation, communicating the comprehensiveness of tender briefs more clearly and visualizing that they can execute efficiently. Likewise, animations can be developed by the owners to effectively convey scopes of work, deliverables and timelines to contractors.
3D visualization can also be a great tool for investor relations and marketing presentations. Visualizations can convert complex data sets into a realistic representation that illustrates how a new airport, train station, tunnel, or an upgrade to an existing road layout will look once complete. This gives the stakeholder an accurate depiction of the project asset in which they are considering investing.
Training and Workplace Learning & Development
The use of visualizations in training and workplace learning & development can help save time and money. For instance, training conducted in the virtual world can be facilitated remotely at head office, eliminating additional expenses such as travel.
In the major transport and infrastructure sector, 3D animations, visualizations and immersive environments can help employees better understand new layouts and wayfinding, improving site safety. Animations can improve the experience of employees and trainees, increasing their familiarity and understanding by immersing them in a virtual world.
Visualizations can even be used to replicate dangerous scenarios, such as a fire at a high-risk site, for example a tunnel. This visualization could show emergency procedures, exit points, wayfinding and illustrate scenarios for preventing injury to staff and the public.
By simplifying complex stories for a wide variety of stakeholders, visualization affords the infrastructure sector a whole host of benefits.
