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The new highway linking Brisbane to Sydney is 150km long, and on a flat plain – so subject to flooding and sandstorms.
Arup had a 34km section to deliver against tough timelines, while needing to design a stretch of road that passes through environmentally sensitive areas, including the local koala habitat.
Despite that, we managed to consistently hit key deadlines by automated key processes and innovating in the use of 3D modelling to enable us to make quicker, better decisions.
Managing a high degree of complexity
The project is complex. For every 100m of road we need 16 models to capture each of the four lanes and the vertical pavement layers. We had to name and tag every individual element of the project – for example, the culvert boxes and taper plates.
Getting this right means that we can provide accurate data of everything in the roads to the asset management system. This makes the build process more efficient but also has major advantages for maintenance programmes when the road opens, and a need for very detailed planning.
Automation meant we hit our deadlines
To meet these requirements we invested up front in heavily automating and standardising as many of the processes as possible. With our partners, we developed and customised the digital engineering tools and the project management system. That meant that we could generate the models and name and tag the assets much more efficiently.
“This project shows how digital tools are transforming the way the firm is able to deliver successful outcomes. ”
Mike Evans Global Highways Leader and European Transport Leader
