Building Information Modeling (BIM) For Infrastructure
The following deliverables provide technical guidance for leveraging the concepts of BIM and open data standards to guide practitioners in information management across all phases of the asset life cycle of the build environment in the transportation infrastructure context. Deliverables can be accessed also from the BIM Clearinghouse.
The status of TPF-5(480) deliverables was updated February 1, 2025.
A high-level digital workflow infographic that shows work (business) processes within and across all phases of the asset life cycle and how these processes connect to each other for a select number of project types and one project delivery type. The specific project types that will be targeted include reconstruction, major rehabilitation, and resurfacing, and the focus project delivery type is the design-bid-build approach. Each of the project types will have a separate graphic based on the distinctions of those projects. As part of the infographic development, the metadata associated with the process steps and sub-steps documented in the infographic such as key trigger events and information exchanges, general information requirements that necessitate these exchanges (tasks, people and tools/technologies responsible for the exchanges will also be documented in a structured manner using a database-oriented approach. The developed digital workflow infographics will serve as the roadmap for digital delivery.
Several legal concerns affect the use of Building Information Management (BIM), especially as it pertains to exchanging data in digital workflows. The legal challenges are organized into the following categories: Compensation, Contractual Language and Conditions, Intellectual Property, Data Security, Interoperability, Liability, State and Local Statutes and Regulations, and Risk Allocation. The specific risk and legal challenges vary based on the ultimate goal for using BIM. Because the goals and destination of the data are critically important, they relate heavily to the specific information exchanges that occur, such as the design to construction exchange in Model as the Legal Document (MALD). Ultimately, a BIM process should clarify the risks and liabilities of the stakeholders within the project. However, some aspects of our contracts and workflows will need to change to take full advantage of BIM. Given the state of the industry, there is a need to formally identify and categorize the legal challenges faced by Department of Transportation (DOT) organizations employing BIM. DOTs can then prioritize them for further investigation, understand what mitigation techniques are in place to address them, and identify additional gaps for further study.
Tools currently in use at State DOTs and practices and features that enable office and field personnel (e.g., State DOT staff, construction engineering and inspection staff, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers) to easily share needed information during digital delivery projects. Identifies Field Data Modeling Tools used to work with the models in the field and Contract Administration Tools available and/or being used for contract administration on projects where the Model is the Legal Document (MALD).
Compilation of existing efforts, including examples of the primary methods used to date, which are generally a listing of the model files and meta data (memo or excel), an xml tool that locks down the file with portable executable (PE) metadata, and Blockchain driven tools. Examples of best practices collected from lead states.
Synthesis of results and findings involving existing and desired Field Data Modeling Tools used to work with the models in the field and establish requirements for software vendors based on the data modeling requirements.
A guide for DOT agency construction management, inspectors, surveyors, construction field staff and consultant engineering inspection (CEI) staff looking to implement BIM for Infrastructure models in the field, view/incorporate field-verified geospatial models, integrate inspection daily reports (IDRs), and integrate construction/materials management systems (e.g., AASHTOWare Project, etc.). Advanced field tools/technologies including mobile devices/applications, terrestrial/aerial LiDAR, point cloud meshing and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) supplementing real time kinetic (RTK) GNSS rover, robotics total station (RTS) and photogrammetry are key to leveraging lifecycle BIM model-based processes in construction and maintenance project delivery at DOT agencies.
Documentation of the Basic Workflow for Digital Delivery using the high-level digital workflow infographic (Deliverable D01) to create detailed process models that correspond to the short-listed project types across all phases of asset life cycles, starting from planning, preliminary engineering, and survey, through detailed design, letting/contract award, and construction (including automated machine guidance), and ending in asset management. Explanation of the Digital Workflow infographic and information requirements, key trigger events, exchanges, and roles.
Information requirements for building digital information models and how they are used from design through construction and fabrication, using and building upon the D1 Digital Workflow Infographic, focused on the information requirements of key trigger events for the targeted project types. The information requirements identified are used to establish the data models needed during these assets’ life-cycle phases and incorporated into the D17 Draft Information Delivery Manual for Digital Workflow.
A synthesis of the results and findings involving the FHWA Transitioning to Digital As-Builts research study and FHWA’s Digital As-Builts Every Day Counts innovation initiative as it relates to BIM for Infrastructure, including specific workflows and information requirements digital as-builts support during construction and post-construction.
A consolidation of other TPF-5(480) digital workflow deliverables (D01, D07, D16, D18, D23, and D26) related to contract administration using the framework and appendices developed by the JTCEES for the Model as Legal Document Maturity Model, BIM Maturity Model, and LOD and MEB framework.
bSI’s Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) Standard and its role in advancing BIM for Infrastructure, with a focus on IFC 4.3 (the latest version of this standard) as it applies to road infrastructure (ifcRoad). Descriptions of classifications available in this open international standard for modeling of highway road infrastructure assets, and planning, survey, design, construction, and asset management use cases considered by bSI in the development of the ifcRoad standard.
In addition to the classifications, other data modeling constructs available in the ifcRoad (i.e., property sets, enumerations, spatial relationships etc.) are described. The IFC overview describes the strengths, weaknesses, and the opportunities for further improvement in IFC that have been identified by bSI and the industry stakeholders.
The relationships between ifcRoad and the Level of Development (LOD) and the Model Element Breakdown (MEB) standards being developed through AASHTO’s JTCEES are highlighted.
Description of how enterprise asset information models (AIM) can be created and used to establish an enterprise-wide asset inventory and includes a catalog of asset types typically identified in the Asset Registers at State DOTs such as: routes (roads), bridges, tunnels, retaining walls, medians, shoulders, guardrail/guiderail, signs (ground-mounted, overhead sign structures, dynamic message signs), signals, intersections, rumble strips, and pavement markings.
For each asset type, documentation for the data systems typically used at State DOTs and the business stakeholders that are typically involved in development and use of these data systems. Discussion of how enterprise AIM can be built with inputs from these data sources and how these data sources can be aligned with the enterprise AIM once it has been developed.
Manual provides information about the form, format and content of the data that needs to be exchanged at various points during the asset lifecycle (i.e., from planning, survey, design, construction, operations and maintenance). A companion database contains information about all data models created during the asset lifecycle and data contained in the models, in addition to data exchanges that happen among the data models.
Report describes what data governance is and how it can be used to govern the data that is utilized for creating “data models” in the BIM framework. The importance of data governance for BIM data modeling and data exchanges is explained from the following perspectives:
The Information Delivery Manual (IDM) will capture information about the form, format and content of the data that needs to be exchanged at various points during the asset lifecycle (i.e., from planning, survey, design, construction, operations, and maintenance). This document outlines the scope of the IDM being developed under TPF-5(480) to facilitate the delivery of a Construction Contract Model. The document (i) contextualizes the information exchange and details the practical application of this IDM in real-world projects; (ii) defines the information exchange and clearly specifies its objectives and scope; and (iii) summarizes requirements and provides an overview of the data and information needed to support the information exchange. By addressing these elements, the document establishes a foundation for developing an IDM that enables structured, repeatable information workflows, aligned with open BIM principles, to support the seamless delivery of construction contract models.
A website and searchable, online database-driven clearinghouse delivers research findings and guidance on TPF-5(480) project deliverables and tasks. The clearinghouse includes:
Outline of communication and coordination plans with the following stakeholders:
Formal, established channels of communication with external BIM ecosystem stakeholders who are designated as “resource agencies”; agencies that contribute monetary or in-kind resources to advance a part or the entirety of a need of the TPF5(480) study for mutual benefit.
Examples of such agencies include the FHWA, the Transportation Research Board’s (TRB’s) National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), bSI, Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC), AASHTO, etc.
Description of how agencies can select a digital delivery pilot project and possible strategies for success associated with each project type. Additionally, Digital Delivery project selection criteria and project scoping and phased implementation guidance by project type. Guidance laid out in FHWA’s National Strategic Roadmap (NSR) (activities B1, B2) is the basis for development of the pilot project program.
BIM Knowledge Platform
Curated compilations of reports (knowledge platform), complex elements used in designs (3d parametric cell library), and deployment tools used in developing data models (data artifacts).
BIM for Infrastructure Guidebook
The Guidebook will be updated annually and include a summary of TPF-5(480) approved deliverables, and include curated research findings, guidance and data artifacts for building information modeling in transportation infrastructure.
BIM for Infrastructure Roadmap
A five-year plan with intended outcomes across four key dimensions.
