On the Front Lines of Standardizing Digital Delivery for Bridge Design
This summer, the U.S. took a significant step toward a future where infrastructure is designed and constructed entirely from digital models. In June, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) adopted the first U.S. standard for bridges’ 3D model data. The new document — “Information Delivery Manual: Guide Specification for Design to Construction Data Exchange for Highway Bridges” — is a product of the ongoing BIM for Bridges and Structures pooled fund study, supported by AASHTO, FHWA and 24 state DOTs.
HDR’s Julie Rivera, who is leading the consulting team on the study, explained in a new article why this step is important, what it means for the transportation industry and what’s next. In less than 800 words, Rivera explains the new document, the work that led to it, what sets it apart and what it will lead to next. Republication of Rivera’s article is available on request.
“The adoption of this guide specification is a major step in standardizing digital workflows for bridge construction and moving towards planless delivery and a Model as the Legal Document approach,” Rivera wrote. “This document also sets the bar for other information delivery manuals. The first of its kind, it will serve as a model for additional data exchanges in the transportation industry for design, construction and asset management.”
Read the article in its entirety here and contact Dan Golden for any usage requests:
https://www.hdrinc.com/insights/front-lines-standardizing-digital-delivery-bridge-design
