Building Information Modeling (BIM), as applied to highway infrastructure (BIM for Infrastructure), is a collaborative work method for structuring, managing, and using data and information about transportation assets throughout their lifecycle.  Managing data involves creating data (i.e., supplying data using data models); preserving data (i.e., storing, archiving, securing, and retrieving data); and, provisioning, exchanging, or sharing data for use during a variety of business operations.  The integration of data sources from multiple business siloes creates a digital twin and increases data accessibility for better decision making. Life-cycle phases (as seen in the work flow below) encompass the entire life of the project from design to construction to operations and maintenance.

© 2016 Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure. Modified by FHWA to
include U.S. practices and lifecycle phases and to reflect specific report
recommendations.                                                                                        

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is working to advance BIM for Infrastructure as a digital conduit of information between the design, construction, and operations of an infrastructure asset.  Increased access to and better integration of geospatially located data will increase the efficiency and productivity of project delivery. 

BIM for Infrastructure involves delivering capital projects collaboratively (through the planning, design, and construction phases) and managing services the built infrastructure is expected to provide by efficiently using digital processes rather than traditional paper-based processes.  By aligning data within and across an agency’s information systems in a manner that allows them to be managed easily (e.g., creating a digital twin), the potential exists to break down information silos and offer major productivity gains and cost efficiencies for roadway agencies across all life-cycle phases of built infrastructure.

Further information (reports, TechBriefs, webinar links, etc.) from FHWA’s BIM research program can be found on the publication page.

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