Bentley Systems Unleashes Generative AI Revolution for Civil Site Design
Civil engineering is about to get a major upgrade, thanks to the latest announcement from Bentley Systems. The infrastructure engineering software company has unveiled its ground-breaking AI-powered civil site design solution, OpenSite+, marking a significant leap forward for engineers and designers everywhere.
Bentley Systems’ innovation promises to transform how residential, commercial, and industrial site designs come to life—up to ten times faster than conventional methods. Let’s take a closer look at this first-to-market AI application and see how it might redefine the future of infrastructure.
OpenSite+ A Generative AI Game-Changer
Bentley Systems’ new release, OpenSite+, is set to disrupt the industry with its first-ever generative AI capabilities for civil site design.
This platform harnesses the power of AI to automate repetitive and laborious tasks, letting civil engineers focus on high-value aspects of their projects. In doing so, OpenSite+ has reimagined the design workflow for the infrastructure lifecycle, cutting down on routine jobs and adding precision where it matters most.
AI Copilot for Enhanced Design Experience
Imagine having a copilot that understands your design needs, not only in technical language but also in natural conversation. OpenSite+ delivers this through its intuitive AI-driven copilot that interacts seamlessly with engineers. With the ability to interpret natural language commands, the copilot optimises workflows, creating, revising, and interacting with 3D site models and design documentation with incredible ease. No more navigating labyrinthine menus—it’s all about getting straight to what you need.
Mike Campbell, Bentley Systems’ chief product officer, summarises it best: “By leveraging their past data to optimise future work, generative AI will revolutionise infrastructure design, improving engineers’ productivity and accuracy without sacrificing quality.”
Optimised Site Layouts with a Click
One of OpenSite+’s standout features is its earthwork optimisation tool. Engineers can now explore multiple layout options for a site with just a click. AI swiftly assesses thousands of potential site layouts, offering designers the optimal solution based on defined parameters—often within minutes. The system does the heavy lifting in assessing variables such as grading, site boundaries, and more, saving time and resources while enhancing decision-making.
It’s an ideal tool for civil engineers dealing with complex site challenges, enabling faster and more informed choices that ultimately improve project quality. “OpenSite+ is a game-changer,” says Joe Viscuso, senior vice president at Pennoni. “It streamlines our workflow, automates repetitive tasks, and ensures accuracy as we make changes in real time.” Pennoni has already seen the benefits, experiencing faster project completions and staying ahead in the ever-evolving tech space.
Automated Drawing Production for Effortless Workflows
Another core benefit of OpenSite+ lies in its automated drawing production capability. We all know that drawing documentation can be an absolute grind, but Bentley has eliminated that hurdle with AI that can handle everything—from labelling and dimensions to optimising for readability and aesthetics.
This feature isn’t just a productivity booster; it’s a quality enhancer. Drawings generated via AI adhere strictly to organisational standards, ensuring uniformity and eliminating the inconsistencies that are all too common with manual work. Engineers can now direct their time towards the creative, problem-solving parts of the design process, as opposed to tedious document production.
Smart Design Tools for Real-Time Productivity
Bentley Systems has equipped OpenSite+ with a toolkit of smart design objects—from building pads to driveways and ponds. These intelligent, editable objects significantly cut down the design time and adapt smoothly to changes, whether it’s a minor tweak to a parking layout or a major redesign of an industrial site.
And here’s the kicker—users maintain control over their data while AI is at work. The system ensures that proprietary data remains secure during AI training, making sure that data privacy stays a priority. Engineers can rest assured that their designs are protected, while also benefiting from data-driven insights that propel their productivity forward.
Why Generative AI Matters for Civil Site Design
Generative AI is more than a buzzword in today’s engineering world; it’s a force poised to reshape industry standards. For Bentley Systems, the application of AI to civil site design is a natural progression following its success with AI in digital twins and asset management. Previously, Bentley Systems utilised AI to proactively detect infrastructure issues before they escalated—a critical function in asset maintenance. Now, with OpenSite+, they’re bringing that predictive power to the design phase.
The introduction of generative AI into the engineering design phase makes perfect sense. Engineers now have a tool that isn’t just about automating tasks but actually generating viable options and solutions—a system that actively contributes to design decisions, thereby raising the standards of productivity and creativity.
Bentley Systems’ iTwin platform, which underpins OpenSite+, serves as the digital twin environment that consolidates design data in one place, allowing seamless data-centric workflows. The idea is to create a collaborative space where teams can access full design contexts without friction, thereby supporting informed, timely decisions.
The Innovators Behind the Change
To fully appreciate the revolutionary potential of OpenSite+, it’s essential to understand Bentley Systems’ pedigree. With over 5,200 colleagues across 194 countries, Bentley Systems has consistently led the charge in infrastructure software—from asset operations with AssetWise to construction management with SYNCHRO. Its iTwin platform for digital twins has become the backbone of their product line, enabling data-driven efficiencies across infrastructure lifecycles.
Bentley Systems’ product portfolio also includes staples such as MicroStation, Seequent software for geo-professionals, and Bentley Systems Infrastructure Cloud, all designed to advance infrastructure through innovation. Now, with the introduction of OpenSite+, Bentley Systems aims to solidify its leadership in next-gen infrastructure design by integrating AI into foundational processes.
Seamless Integration and Collaboration
OpenSite+ is the first of a new generation of Bentley Systems Open Applications that run on desktops for optimal responsiveness while delivering cloud benefits like cross-platform availability and automatic updates. This hybrid structure offers users the best of both worlds—local performance with cloud-enabled convenience.
Moreover, OpenSite+ has been designed to integrate easily with existing workflows. It’s compatible with data from other Bentley products, meaning it can pull in broader design contexts—whether for an ongoing highway project or a residential development. This level of integration makes it easy for teams to collaborate across different disciplines without having to toggle between multiple software platforms.
What Sets OpenSite+ Apart?
The real differentiator for OpenSite+ lies in its AI-powered features and their seamless alignment with real-world engineering needs. Other products in the market may offer automated functionalities, but Bentley Systems’ generative AI application pushes beyond by providing a cohesive, intelligent platform designed specifically for infrastructure.
From optimising site layouts to automating drawing production and managing data securely, OpenSite+ ticks all the right boxes. It’s intuitive, powerful, and capable of changing how engineering firms approach civil site design. Whether it’s an urban park, a new subdivision, or a sprawling industrial complex, OpenSite+ has the tools to bring it to life—faster, smarter, and better.
What Does This Mean for the Industry?
Bentley Systems’ underscores a broader shift towards generative AI within the construction and civil engineering sectors. With infrastructure needs evolving due to urbanisation and sustainability requirements, there is increasing pressure on civil engineers to deliver not just efficiently but also innovatively. OpenSite+ enables precisely that—it allows for exploration, experimentation, and precision, without incurring additional costs or time penalties.
For construction firms and investors, generative AI tools like OpenSite+ are a welcome development that directly impacts project budgets and timelines. Site designs that once required weeks of iteration can now be completed in a fraction of the time. That’s time saved and costs cut—an equation that few stakeholders would argue against.
Charting the Path Forward
Bentley Systems is no stranger to pushing boundaries, and with OpenSite+, they have laid the groundwork for the future of civil engineering. Their vision to incorporate generative AI into foundational tools sets a precedent for what is possible when advanced technologies are deployed to solve practical challenges.
The release of OpenSite+ heralds a turning point for the industry—where productivity meets creativity and where AI isn’t just a buzzword but a valuable ally in the quest to build smarter, better, and more sustainable infrastructure. Bentley is charting the course, and with OpenSite+, they invite engineers everywhere to come along for the ride.
Leading with Vision and Innovation
Bentley Systems has once again proven why it’s an industry leader—it isn’t just about keeping up with the times; it’s about being ahead of them.
By integrating AI capabilities into core engineering software, Bentley Systems is not only enhancing the workflow but transforming it entirely. The civil engineering landscape is evolving, and with tools like OpenSite+, it looks like the future is closer than ever.