Technology has been deployed at sites run by the Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture, with the AI being harnessed to automate processes used in building information modeling, otherwise known as BIM. This means carbon emissions and environmental impacts of construction can be visualised, measured and compared, resulting in the design of a more environmentally-friendly solution. With funding coming from Innovate U.K. Other firms and organizations involved in the scheme include Mott MacDonald, HS2, Nomitech, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Manufacturing Technology Centre.
As technology develops and construction projects attempt to become more efficient and sustainable, the use of technological innovations looks set to become increasingly important. It’s against this backdrop that tools such as BIM – described by Arup as a “virtual prototype” that enables “any aspect of a design’s performance to be simulated and assessed before it is built” – will be useful. Around the world, there are a host of initiatives attempting to develop frameworks and platforms focused on using technology to improve the efficiency and sustainability of construction projects. This focus on digital tech is taking place at the same time as sustainable materials and zero-emission pieces of kit are being developed for use on construction projects. In addition, low and zero-emission pieces of machinery are also being developed by firms such as JCB, which has produced an excavator that is powered by hydrogen as well as an electric mini excavator.