VIDEO: Take a digitised tour of the Raith Interchange roadworks
Ever wonder what’s going on with the roadworks at the Raith Interchange? Well now we’re getting a digitised look.
Ever wonder what’s going on with the roadworks at the Raith Interchange? Well now we’re getting a digitised look.
A new video’s been released giving us a ‘first-look’ at the vision for the £500million improvement project.
The M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project is one of the first major road projects in Scotland to pioneer the use of BIM, a new piece of 3D technology.
Building Information Modelling (BIM) uses digital technology, more commonly seen in the gaming industry, to help design, build, maintain and manage construction projects more effectively throughout their lifecycle.
Raul Pascual, Project Manager for Ferrovial Lagan Joint Venture, described BIM as the biggest technological advance in the construction industry in more than 100 years: “Until now, the construction industry has been building bridges and roads in almost the same way as it was done a century ago when concrete and steel construction was developed.
“BIM is already changing the way we work, allowing greater co-ordination and collaboration at the very earliest stage of a project. Construction engineers can watch and interact as the designer is designing a new road layout, while the maintenance contractor can use BIM to pinpoint a streetlight, know when it was installed and when the bulb needs to be changed – the possibilities are endless.
“BIM is a fantastic management tool that allows engineers to analyse complex infrastructures and to explain construction methodologies and validate design. It also has the added benefit of bringing finished products to life as a 3D model which is extremely beneficial when outlining major infrastructure develops to stakeholders before building has even started. As an industry, we are very excited about BIM.”
Professor Broyd met with the construction team and Transport Scotland representatives on site to view the progress of the new Raith Interchange and praised the engineers for embracing BIM in this particularly challenging section of the project: “A digital mind-set will take our industry to the next level.
“Here at Raith Interchange it is improving communication and coordination between design and construction teams and resulting in better, more resilient infrastructure and saving time and money. Better communication with road users and local communities is another key benefit.”
The M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project is one of four pathfinder projects being monitored by the Scottish Futures Trust.
Graeme Reid, project sponsor for Transport Scotland said:** **“The new Raith Junction was selected by Ferrovial Lagan Joint Venture as the area in which to trial BIM as it is the most complex part of the project. The engineers have the challenge of constructing the underpass below the water table of the nearby River Clyde in this location as well as relocating a significant number of underground utilities.
“BIM has been instrumental in the success of the construction to date and Transport Scotland is committed to supporting the construction industry to deliver greater efficiencies through the design, construction and operational stages of a project, through the use of BIM.”
Mr Pascual, added:“Ferrovial Lagan Joint Venture wants to promote innovation within the industry. In feeding back our experience of using BIM at Raith to the Scottish Futures Trust, we want to ensure lessons can be learned. We’re committed to highlighting the benefits of BIM, its pros and cons, the costs generated and saved, with the aim of providing an overview of what the industry can expect.
“From our experience, the biggest benefit of using BIM is the time it saves and its accuracy, both of which are extremely important in construction.
“For example, where a design is on paper in the traditional method, any clashes may not be discovered until we’re on the ground, at which point work stops and we have to go back to the design stage and start again. A simple task could be delayed by a month, however, with BIM we can see any potential issues almost immediately at the design stage.”