Is BIM Training Useful for Highway Engineers?

What Does a Highway Engineer Do?

Highway engineers are an important part of creating the highways, expressways, bridges, and transport systems that link the cities, raise trade, and ensure the population's security. They have the duty of:

• Road design, road alignment, and road grading map designs
  
  
• Utility and stormwater drainage corridor planning
  
  
• Carrying out a soil and material test
  
  
• Overseeing road construction and ensuring quality control
  
  
• Compliance and approval work within government agencies

Siloed processes were used in the 2D CAD, and traditional methods were used to perform these tasks. Nonetheless, highway design engineering as it is now multi-, inter-, and even transdisciplinary, data-intensive, calibrated with the proceeding project complexities, population growth, as well as sustainability requirements. This is where BIM enters the stage.

The Shift Toward BIM in Highway Projects

Although BIM was initially mostly focused on construction and vertical construction, such as buildings and airports, it has recently significantly impacted the infrastructure sector, mainly transportation and highway development. States around the world are among the pioneers in the BIM requirement for public infrastructure projects.

For example:

• BIM Level 2 has been required in the UK for all public infrastructure works since 2016.
  
  
• In 2021, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) promulgated a circular that requires Level 2 collaborative BIM to be used in all highway projects whose valuation exceeds INR 100 crore
  
  
• The U.S. Federal Highway Administration is campaigning to use 3D digital delivery via Every Day Counts (EDC) programs.

BIM applications in highway engineering will help engineers develop smart 3D models that hold elaborate data on road geometry, terrain, utilities, and the specifications of material aspects. 

Why BIM Training is Useful for Highway Engineers

Let’s explore how highway engineering BIM training equips professionals with the right skill set to excel in modern infrastructure projects:

1. Enhanced Design Accuracy

BIM enables highway engineers to move from 2D lines and figures to intelligent data-filled 3D models. This allows accurate modeling of highway corridors, surface drainage, embankments, and intersections.

2. Seamless Coordination Across Teams

Highway work uses several professions in the construction process - traffic engineers, geotechnical engineers, structural designers, and environmental specialists. BIM creates a shared digital environment, guaranteeing real-time coordination and minimizing miscommunication.

3. Early Clash Detection

BIM solutions such as Navisworks enable the engineer to identify clashes in the design of utilities, drainage, and structural components before commencing construction. This avoids expensive delays at sites and redesign

4. Simulation of Road Performance

Under BIM, engineers can simulate road performance under various weather conditions and traffic. Visualization of traffic flow and evaluation of the effect of terrain on traffic flow can be done using tools such as InfraWorks toward the end of the design.

5. Lifecycle Asset Management

After construction, the BIM model can be used as a digital twin to maintain assets. The long-term performance of facility managers is enhanced by putting information on the as-built database, maintenance schedules, and component details in the BIM database.

6. Cost and Time Optimization

The 4D and 5D BIM model adds cost and time dimensions to the model. Engineers can optimize the construction schedule and budgets by planning the construction sequentially, calculating costs, and testing various what-ifs.

7. Support for Sustainability and Compliance

New BIM services combine carbon footprint calculating and material-tracking systems with regulatory conformance systems. It has been useful, especially regarding sustainable highway planning and green certifications.

Top BIM Software Tools Every Highway Engineer Should Learn

To effectively apply BIM in highway projects, engineers must be familiar with the following BIM tools for highway engineers:

• Autodesk Civil 3D

Essential for creating detailed road alignments, corridor modeling, surface grading, and pipe networks. Learning Civil 3D for highway design is a must-have skill.

• InfraWorks

It is excellent in early design solutions, simulation, Navigation of highways, and source-based visualization of structures/infrastructure in a real-life environment.

• Navisworks Manage

Navisworks is Used for clash detection, construction sequencing (4D), and coordination between different design disciplines.

• OpenRoads Designer (Bentley)

A powerful alternative for roadway design, offering advanced terrain modeling and corridor creation tools.

• Autodesk ReCap

Autodesk Recapis helpful in processing LiDAR and drone survey data into point clouds and integrating them into the BIM environment.

Why Learn BIM With Novatr?

If you are serious about mastering BIM for highway and civil infrastructure projects, Novatr’s BIM Professional Course for Civil Engineers is one of the best in the industry. Designed by global infrastructure experts, this course offers:

• Practical learning of the computer software (Civil 3D, InfraWorks) and other requirements
• Case examples of real infrastructure-based project learning
• Being exposed to multi-disciplinary ways of working
• Guidance by working professionals
• Get recognized industry certifications

Novatr provides you with a future-proof skill set regardless of whether you are a new civil engineering graduate or an experienced highway engineer seeking to upgrade your skills, where the focus is on infrastructure-related projects and supports a strong BIM career for highway engineers.