Digital Engineering Transformation at Victorian Transport Centers on Survey Data

Victorian Transport Digital Engineering (VTDE) is a strategic initiative within the Victorian Transport portfolio aimed at revolutionizing how digital technologies are leveraged to manage and utilize survey data across transportation infrastructure projects. This initiative, outlined by Ban Chee, the reality capture data manager at a recent Bentley Illuminate conference in Sydney, underscores the importance of consolidating and optimizing surveying data to enhance decision-making, improve project efficiency, and streamline resource allocation.

VTDE is positioned as a collaborative effort across various sectors of the Victorian Transport portfolio with a clear vision to establish a hyperconnected ecosystem of digital engineering and asset information by the year 2026. The initiative seeks to harness advanced digital tools and platforms to centralize and make accessible a diverse array of survey data critical for planning, designing, and maintaining transportation infrastructure throughout Victoria.

At the heart of VTDE's strategy lies the integration and consolidation of extensive datasets, including 2D and 3D survey data, photo meshes, and LiDAR point clouds. These datasets are currently dispersed across multiple systems and platforms, creating inefficiencies and redundancies in data management and utilization. Ban Chee emphasizes the need to aggregate these datasets into a unified digital environment, enabling comprehensive visualization and analysis through advanced platforms such as Bentley Systems' iTwin.

During the conference, Chee highlighted the pivotal role of Bentley Systems' iTwin platform in VTDE's data management strategy. The iTwin platform serves as a central hub for visualizing and analyzing survey data, accessible via Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or integrated with IBM Maximo systems used for transport asset management. This integration not only facilitates enhanced data accessibility but also empowers stakeholders with actionable insights into infrastructure conditions and maintenance requirements.

A key objective of VTDE is to democratize access to survey data within government agencies and private industry. By making high-quality survey data readily available to decision-makers, designers, and engineers involved in transport projects, VTDE aims to enhance the accuracy and efficacy of policy decisions, project planning, and resource allocation. Chee stresses that improved data accessibility can mitigate the need for duplicative surveys, thereby optimizing costs and improving overall project efficiency.

Chee argues that by leveraging comprehensive survey data, government departments and private industry can make more informed decisions regarding infrastructure investments and operational planning. Access to detailed, real-time data insights enables stakeholders to identify priority areas for maintenance and development, align budgets more effectively, and allocate resources based on actual infrastructure needs rather than assumptions or outdated information.

Moreover, VTDE's data-driven approach has the potential to influence government budgeting processes by providing empirical evidence and visibility into infrastructure conditions. By identifying gaps in data visibility and recommending targeted survey efforts, VTDE enables managers and asset maintainers to advocate for necessary funding and prioritize investments in critical infrastructure projects. This proactive approach not only enhances infrastructure resilience but also supports sustainable urban development goals.

A critical aspect of VTDE's strategy is its resilience to organizational changes within government departments and agencies. Chee acknowledges the challenges posed by administrative transitions, often referred to as the 'machinery of government'. However, he expresses confidence that the digital resources and data management frameworks established under VTDE will endure beyond these changes, ensuring continuity in data accessibility and usability for future administrations.

Looking ahead, the success of VTDE hinges on continued collaboration between public and private sectors, ongoing advancements in digital engineering technologies, and robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive data. The initiative must navigate challenges such as data integration complexities, interoperability across diverse systems, and the evolving landscape of regulatory requirements governing data privacy and security.

Victorian Transport Digital Engineering represents a transformative initiative aimed at modernizing how survey data is managed and utilized within the Victorian Transport portfolio. By leveraging Bentley Systems' iTwin platform and other advanced digital tools, VTDE seeks to create a unified digital ecosystem that enhances decision-making, optimizes resource allocation, and supports sustainable infrastructure development across Victoria. Through improved data accessibility and proactive planning, VTDE aims to set a benchmark for digital transformation in transport infrastructure management, ensuring resilience and continuity amidst evolving governmental landscapes and technological advancements.