Beyond Bricks and Mortar: Digital Transformation Approach to Infrastructure

FOPE BADEMOSI: Hello, everyone, and welcome to our session, "Beyond Bricks and Mortar-- Digital Transformation to Infrastructure. Here's our safe harbor statement. You may read it later if you're in the mood for a light reading.

Before we begin, we'll introduce ourselves and share our research background. I am Fope Bademosi, a construction researcher with Autodesk Research. And joining me today is--

MAGDALENA KOWALCZK: Magda Kowalczyk, and I am a research engineer also with Autodesk Research.

Here you can see eight things that Autodesk Research is exploring. Fope and I both focus on the industrialization of construction and net-zero buildings, promoting sustainability in the AECO industry. And today, we will share some research findings from the industrialization of construction team.

At the start of the year, we explored the impact of technology adoption in sectors like construction, manufacturing, and architecture. We aim to broaden Autodesk Research's perspective on how industrialization is transforming industries worldwide. We found an imbalanced emphasis on the building sector and affordable housing, overlooking other aspects of construction.

To address this, we delved into the industrialization of non-building infrastructure, seeking insights for workflow enhancement. So in this session, we will share the need for infrastructure resiliency, the current state of our infrastructure, global initiatives, digital transformation's role in the industry, learning from case studies, and finally, a roadmap for future infrastructure resiliency.

FOPE BADEMOSI: Thanks, Magda. Let's begin by understanding the pressing need for resilient and sustainable infrastructure. Now you might be wondering what exactly do we mean when we talk about infrastructure resiliency. It's a term we hear often, but let's break it down.

At its core, infrastructure resiliency refers to the capacity of our systems, whether it's transportation, utilities, or communication, to foresee, adapt, and promptly bounce back from disruptions, like natural disasters. This means that these systems are just-- they're not just passively enduring challenges, but actively thriving amongst these challenges.

And as industry leaders and professionals, our end goal is clear. We aim to ensure our critical infrastructure systems are robust, adaptable, and designed to stand the test of time. Why is this important?

By 2050, 70% of the world's population will live in cities. This increases the risk of natural disasters and extreme weather events. To paint a picture, in 2022 alone, there were 421 natural disasters worldwide, resulting in $313 billion in global economic losses.

But here's the silver lining. Investing wisely today can lead to substantial savings tomorrow. For every $1 we allocate to hazard mitigation, we can promptly save up to $8 in disaster costs.

But it's more than just numbers and economics. Looking at the real-world impact, resilient infrastructure protects economies, communities, and human progress, and sharing critical systems withstand challenges. The pledge of resilient infrastructure is a world where storms don't result in power outages and loss of Wi-Fi connection, and transportation networks move smoothly.

Now having imagined that ideal world, it's vital that we take a step back and assess where we stand today. Globally, our infrastructure needs updating, including our roads, energy systems, and water, and sanitation, most of which date back to the early 20th century.

Let's start with our transportation system. Now imagine driving across this bridge every day, knowing that it's one of the 42,400 the US alone that's structurally deficient. Putting that into a broader perspective, it is projected that $1.4 trillion is needed yearly for road infrastructure globally until 2040 to keep up with the pressures of urbanization. And in the US alone, 36% of bridges need major repairs or replacements, which will cost about $313 billion.

Europe isn't exempted either. There is a pressing need for $500 billion in infrastructure investment by 2040. And then we have Asia, an area that's experiencing exponential growth. Addressing its infrastructure needs will cost $26 trillion by 2030.

Due to rapid urbanization and aging infrastructure, cities around the world are dealing with congested roads and worsening maintenance issues. However, there is some positive news. We're seeing high-speed rail rapidly expanding, and airport expansions have grown quickly due to increased travel demand post-pandemic.

However, it's not just about bridges and roads. It's also about the flickering lights during power outages and the unreliable flow of clean water from our taps. Now let's address the global energy landscape. Nearly 800 million people in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia lack electricity. And in the US, there are the challenges of outdated power plants and expensive grid modernization.

The good news is that renewable energy now surpasses coal as the top source of electricity worldwide. Specifically solar capacity has grown 20% annually in the past five years, leading to a 2% increase in energy efficiency across the board.

Another vital system we must address is our water and sanitation infrastructure. Access to clean water, which is necessary for human survival, is, unfortunately, limited for many individuals. And we see that as of today, 2 billion people lack safe drinking water worldwide.

Also, 3.6 billion people use unsanitary methods for waste disposal. And about 1.4 million people die annually from preventable diseases caused by poor water and sanitation, which is quite unfortunate. The gravity of the situation is clear. Immediate global action is necessary.

But you might ask, how did we arrive at this point? Why is our global infrastructure in the state that it's in today? It's because we haven't invested enough in the past, which has led to neglect and differences between urban and rural areas. To fix this, $4.5 trillion investment is needed by 2040, with developed nations investing 2.5%, 4.5% for developing nations of their GDP annually, until 2030.

In summary, our infrastructure is currently facing unparalleled external pressures, such as building systems that respond to climate change, rapidly updating urban centers for booming populations, and addressing financial gaps for resourceful project execution.

MAGDALENA KOWALCZYK: As pressure on our civil infrastructure continue to grow, policymakers and industry stakeholders are closely examining every aspect of construction. Investing significant resources and funding is essential to bridge the gaps. So the following slides showcase how global initiatives lead the way towards creating more resilient infrastructure.

Here is an overview of essential infrastructure initiatives across various continents, each tailored to the region's needs and an economic landscape. These projects will influence global infrastructure and foster collaboration as they progress. Let's examine a few of them more closely.

So the European Union's CF program allocates $42.3 billion to improve transport, energy, and digital infrastructure. Its transformative impact includes thousands of electric charging points, enhanced railway infrastructure, significant electricity and gas transmission upgrades, and the expansive spread of Wi-Fi hotspots across the continent.

Another initiative, the EAIF is a joint effort by multiple donors to enhance infrastructure development in sub-Saharan Africa. Over 15 years the, EAIF has invested $730 million into 71 multi-sector projects, spanning energy, transportation, and other areas. The fund has played a crucial role in providing improved infrastructure access to over 129 million individuals, creating almost 40,500 thousand jobs, including more than 22,000 permanent positions.

FOPE BADEMOSI: Besides funding, digital transformation is crucial to achieving resilience infrastructure goals. Policies like the US Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act now prioritize integrating digital tools for efficient infrastructure project delivery.

But when we mentioned digital transformation, what do we truly mean? It's more than just implementing technology. It requires integrating technology seamlessly into every aspect of a project, pretty much changing how we build things today. According to Autodesk 2023 State of Design and Make Report, 70% of leaders in the AECO industry believe digital tools are crucial for future growth.

So what is really driving digital transformation in the infrastructure sector? Four distinct themes have emerged from companies investing in digital technologies. Firstly, they embrace sustainability through renewables, efficient designs, and circular economy principles.

Secondly, we see a rise in leveraging advanced technology, like digital twins and AI, to amplify efficiency of projects. Thirdly, there's the financial innovation aspect, with methods like public-private partnerships and green bonds. And while technology and finance set the foundation, it's the people that truly bring transformation to life. These companies prioritize continuous learning, ensuring their workforce is equipped and ready for tomorrow's technological landscape.

In the wake of those external drivers, the industry remains open to embracing new tools, like prefabrication field variables, and early AI integration in construction. This technology is aimed to meet the increasing demand for faster and more ambitious infrastructure projects, even when resources and time are limited.

MAGDALENA KOWALCZYK: In this section, we will explore case studies showcases the implementation of digital tools and processes in real-world projects. Hopefully, these examples will inspire ideas for your project.

The first one, Bretton Woods in the UK, took on the challenging task of the Pier Segregation Project for London's two main airports, constructing almost a mile of new corridors. Due to the limited space available and time constraints, the focus shifted to offsite manufacturing, a perfect flexible solution for a busy airport.

Remarkably, 80% of this ambitious project was completed offsite. Every night, carefully prefabricated modules were transported and lifted into place by crane, while ensuring the airport's operations were not disrupted.

Also in the UK, the HS2 Railway Project is using an innovative approach to designing stations. Leveraging the capabilities of AI and advanced LiDAR sensors, HS2 transforms passenger movement and interactions into digitized data, informing the blueprint of the next generation of stations. The passengers' experience, more than the trains, truly drive the essence of this innovation design.

Another case study on the list is Gamuda, a major engineering and infrastructure company in Malaysia, who in recent years has undertaken a significant digital transformation. They have moved away from traditional paper-based methods and now use digital platforms.

Pictured here, the Mass Rapid Transit Putrajaya Line Project is a prime example of this digital evolution. Gamuda has implemented tunnel insight, which is an advanced tunneling management platform that utilizes big data and cloud computing to manage the project effectively. This application streamlines operations and provides real-time insights from the tunnel boring machine sensors, ensuring unparalleled precision and efficiency.

Here is an example from a different sector. Calwave, based in California, is revolutionizing renewable energy by harnessing the power of ocean waves and currents, with underwater devices that capture energy from all directions, while ensuring that no visual pollution is being caused. The use of digital twin technology enables monitoring and proactive maintenance, reducing inspection costs and improving system efficiency. Calwave offers more than just energy. It creates a grid-connected solution that champions our fight against climate change, while preserving the planet's precious biodiversity.

And the last case, we would like to highlight today is Okra, who is leading the way with its innovative mesh-grid technology, seamlessly connecting neighboring homes to share electricity. Central to this system is the Okra pod, a little device expertly engineered to balance power distribution between houses.

Thanks to IoT connectivity, each pod constantly streams data to the cloud and powering grid operators to perform maintenance remotely and ensure optimal performance. Okra's transforming approach has already brought cleaner and cheaper electricity to rural communities in Nigeria, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Haiti.

So what lessons can we learn from these case studies? We found that real-time data analytics can be deployed for efficient allocation and use of resources, despite a higher initial investment, cost savings are achieved-- cost savings are achieved in the long-term due to largely reduced operational costs.

Faster response time for maintenance and repair that comply with global policy shifts and standards are reducing risks to public safety. And predictive analytics allows us to proactively find solutions to potential challenge, rather than to simply react to it.

While digital tools offer solutions, adopting them has challenges. However, it is crucial to recognize and strategize for these challenges. These challenges include cost and financial implications of implementing changes, involves significant upfront costs, straining budgets and financial resources. Integrating new technologies introduces technical complexity and uncertainty, requiring specialized knowledge and training.

Regulatory hurdles, such as navigated updated regulations and coordinating with regulatory authorities, can be challenging too. Lastly, some transformations may not apply to other locations or sectors due to unique site characteristics. This can result in limited scalability and replicability. Nevertheless, as these technologies advance and gain broader acceptance in the industry, we can expect this limitation to diminish.

FOPE BADEMOSI: We have so far examined how digital tools and planning are used in infrastructure. Now let's summarize key takeaways and plan for the next steps. Integrating digital technologies is not just a trend. It is the next frontier in creating sustainable, resilient, and advanced infrastructure systems. As we look to the future, it is evident that digital technology will be at the heart of every innovation.

Having painted this vision, what is our next course of action? Here's our recommended roadmap to embracing digital transformation for resilient infrastructure. It starts by gauging where you stand, or where our current infrastructure stands, identify the current state of the non-building infrastructure, including strengths, weaknesses, and potential opportunities. Then foster collaborations, uniting government agencies, industry leaders, and communities. With this collective effort, we can champion innovative technologies and techniques in infrastructure projects.

And it's important to note that empowerment is key. Ensure that your workforce is well equipped with the training that they need to deploy these technologies on projects. You can then proceed to experiment via pilot projects, using them as workshop to test your strategies. And lastly, monitor, adapt, and refine your approach continuously, informed by the feedback these pilots provide.

In wrapping up, we've seen the dire state of our infrastructure. So what's our final message to you today? Digital transformation is answering our resiliency and also re-imagining the global plan for our infrastructure. To move forward, we need to harness the power of these technologies to increase efficiency and build resilience across all our projects. It is essential to form partnerships. As collective intelligence sparks innovation, we must continuously invest in advancing technology applications in the infrastructure sector.

As we close, I encourage each of you to pledge to start building for the future today. We appreciate your time and attention. Please connect with us on social and email us with any questions if you have them. Thank you for watching our presentation. Have a good day.