Empowering Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure Through Digital Efficiency
As the infrastructure landscape evolves, sustainability and resilience have become critical benchmarks for success. Driving this transformation are innovative digital tools that streamline efficiency, yielding natural by-products such as reduced environmental impact and long-term adaptability to climate challenges.
Bibhuti Aryal, Industry Director at Bentley Systems, provided us with a unique lens into this revolution, showcasing how advanced software solutions like digital twins and AI are reshaping infrastructure for a better future.
Pioneering Sustainable Infrastructure with Digital Tools
At the heart of Bentley Systems lies a mission to advance the world’s infrastructure while enhancing quality of life. “Our mission begins with our purpose: to empower people to design, build, and maintain better, more resilient infrastructure,” Aryal explained. By integrating cutting-edge technologies such as digital twins, Bentley enables its users to achieve tangible progress toward global goals, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
Bentley’s approach weaves sustainability into the fabric of infrastructure management. Beyond software, the company promotes eco-conscious practices, such as balancing remote and in-office work to reduce carbon footprints. Aryal emphasised: “When you design and operate infrastructure better, faster, and more equitably, you naturally align with sustainable objectives.”
The Foundation of Sustainability
Sustainability and digital efficiency are intricately linked, according to Aryal. “Given the challenges of an industry overloaded with data and limited resources, digital efficiency is essential for meeting project and sustainability goals,” he said. Tools like digital twins transform mountains of siloed data into actionable insights, facilitating smarter decisions that drive sustainable outcomes.
This pragmatic approach eschews technology for technology’s sake. Instead, Bentley focuses on optimising existing resources and processes. “You can’t build or tech your way out of today’s challenges,” Aryal added. “It’s about doing more with what we already have, but in a more responsible and efficient way.”
Transforming Infrastructure with Flagship Solutions
Bentley’s suite of design products, including OpenFlows StormCAD, OpenRoads Designer and ProjectWise, play a pivotal role in enhancing infrastructure efficiency. These tools ensure that good decisions are made early, significantly impacting downstream outcomes. Aryal highlighted: “When drainage experts, road designers, and bridge engineers collaborate in a shared digital environment, the ripple effect is profound.”
Real-world examples underline this impact. In the I-70 Floyd Hill project in Colorado, digital twins enabled comprehensive visibility across project teams. The technology saved over $1 million in document management costs while fostering better stakeholder engagement. By creating connected environments, Bentley’s tools empower teams to make quicker, more informed decisions, reducing waste and optimising resources.
Advanced Flood Modelling
With climate change triggering unprecedented weather events, flood modelling has become indispensable. Bentley’s OpenFlows StormCAD allows engineers to identify critical storm events and optimise drainage networks to withstand these challenges. Aryal pointed out: “Once-in-a-century storms are now recurring every few years, making resilient flood management systems a necessity.”
Projects in Melbourne and India illustrate the benefits of Bentley’s solutions. In Melbourne’s Haul Road upgrade, engineers utilised hydraulic analysis to optimise drainage, preventing significant flood risks. These tools didn’t just improve safety, they also reduced travel times and enhanced traffic flow, illustrating the interconnectedness of sustainability and efficiency.
Tackling Erosion with Smart Planning
Erosion control is another critical area where Bentley’s tools shine. OpenRoads Designer integrates erosion mitigation into the infrastructure planning process, ensuring that efficiency doesn’t come at the expense of environmental preservation. Aryal explained: “By factoring in subsurface conditions and geospatial data, our tools help designers make decisions that prevent landslides and infrastructure failures.”
In Nepal, where landslides often destroy roads, Bentley’s subsurface analysis capabilities provide invaluable insights. By assessing soil conditions and groundwater impacts, engineers can design more resilient infrastructure that stands the test of time, and nature.
Sustainability Outcomes and Measurable Impact
Reducing inefficiencies is a cornerstone of sustainable development, and Bentley’s tools deliver on this promise. Aryal cited a High Speed 2 (HS2) project in the UK where Mott MacDonald used digital twins to reduce carbon emissions by 3.2 million tonnes over 60 years of operation. These measurable outcomes underscore the potential of digital efficiency to drive sustainability.
Clients increasingly rely on metrics such as reduced carbon footprints, resource conservation, and waste minimisation to evaluate the impact of Bentley’s solutions. These tools not only meet sustainability targets but also offer substantial cost savings, creating a win-win scenario for stakeholders.
The Road Ahead
Bentley Systems remains at the forefront of integrating emerging technologies like AI, predictive analytics, and advanced visualisation. Aryal noted: “Our partnership with Google and the acquisition of Cesium have expanded our capabilities to provide richer, more impactful data visualisation.”
Over the next decade, advancements in flood modelling, stormwater management, and erosion control will likely redefine infrastructure resilience. Bentley’s commitment to open digital twins and interoperability ensures that its tools remain adaptable to evolving industry needs, setting the stage for long-term innovation.
The Key to Sustainable Development
Achieving sustainability requires collective effort. Bentley actively collaborates with governments, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders to promote the adoption of digital solutions. Aryal stressed: “No one can address sustainability and resilience alone. It takes partnerships and regulatory frameworks that prioritise these goals.”
By participating in initiatives such as COP meetings, Bentley contributes to global conversations on climate change and digital transformation. Its open digital twin strategy exemplifies a collaborative approach, inviting stakeholders to share data and insights for the greater good.
Shaping the Future of Infrastructure
Bentley Systems’ vision revolves around strengthening open digital twins to integrate planning, design, construction, and maintenance seamlessly. This holistic approach transforms inefficient, siloed workflows into cohesive ecosystems. “By designing better, constructing smarter, and operating longer,” Aryal concluded, “we can achieve a resilient transportation infrastructure that promotes sustainability, equity, and safety.”
Digital efficiency isn’t just a means to an end, it’s a catalyst for a sustainable and resilient future. Bentley Systems continues to lead the charge, proving that innovation, when harnessed responsibly, can leave a lasting positive impact on our world.
