Celebrating Innovation at the Bentley Systems Going Digital Awards

Celebrating Innovation at the Bentley Systems Going Digital Awards

Bentley Systems, the global leader in infrastructure engineering software, recently announced the winners of the highly anticipated 2024 Going Digital Awards.

These prestigious awards, held during Bentley’s Year in Infrastructure event in Vancouver, Canada, brought together infrastructure professionals from around the globe to celebrate the most innovative projects transforming how infrastructure is designed, built, and managed.

From ground-breaking rail electrification projects in the UK to digital twins transforming service reservoirs in Hong Kong, the awards showcased what the future of infrastructure holds when technology and human ingenuity converge.

A Truly Global Celebration of Innovation

This year’s competition was fierce, with over 250 projects nominated from 36 different countries. A panel of independent judges evaluated the final 36 projects across 12 categories, ultimately crowning the winners during an electrifying event that spanned October 8th and 9th 2024.

Kristin Fallon, Bentley Systems’ Chief Marketing Officer, noted: “This year, we received an impressive variety of submissions for the Going Digital Awards from users across the globe, showcasing ground-breaking projects that exemplify the future of infrastructure.” Fallon’s words set the tone for an event filled with optimism, collaboration, and recognition of the incredible strides being made in infrastructure through digital transformation.

Bentley Systems continues to be a beacon for the infrastructure industry, and the Going Digital Awards serve as a reflection of their commitment to leveraging technology to create better and more resilient environments. Below, we dive into the details of all the standout projects that clinched top honours this year.

2024 Going Digital Awards Winners

• Bridges and Tunnels: JMT for I-95 Rappahannock River Crossing: The Bridges and Tunnels category saw JMT walk away with the honours for their digital experience in the I-95 Rappahannock River Crossing construction project. This project was an exemplar of utilising digital models to streamline construction workflows and ensure optimal safety measures. The use of Bentley software allowed real-time collaboration, which played a crucial role in reducing project delays and costs—showing just how powerful digital construction tools can be in improving infrastructure resilience and efficiency.

• Construction: Proicere Ltd. for SPRS Retreatment (SRP) Sellafield: Proicere Ltd.’s innovative approach to construction was recognised with their work on the SPRS Retreatment at Sellafield, a project that stands as a testament to the value of combining advanced engineering techniques with modern digital solutions. By employing Bentley’s SYNCHRO construction management software, Proicere managed to minimise risks associated with nuclear waste retreatment while optimising project delivery times—a combination that had the judges nodding their heads in approval.

• Enterprise Engineering: Mott MacDonald and HDR for Ontario Line: The Ontario Line project, executed by Mott MacDonald and HDR, was honoured in the Enterprise Engineering category. Their use of Bentley’s iTwin technology helped build a connected digital ecosystem that provided valuable insights into design decisions, cutting down on rework and improving project efficiency. This project highlights how digital twins are being increasingly adopted to enhance project outcomes for complex urban infrastructure developments.

• Facilities, Campuses, and Cities: China ENFI Engineering Co., Ltd. for Digital Construction Project of Comprehensive Waste Management Facilities in Xiong’an New Area: China ENFI Engineering Co., Ltd. received recognition for their work in the Facilities, Campuses, and Cities category, specifically for their digital construction project of comprehensive waste management facilities in Xiong’an New Area. This project employed Bentley software to integrate design and construction workflows, significantly improving productivity and environmental outcomes.

• Process and Power Generation: PowerChina Zhongnan Engineering Corporation Limited for Shandong Energy Group Bozhong Offshore Wind Farm Site A Project: PowerChina Zhongnan Engineering Corporation Limited clinched the Process and Power Generation category award for their work on the Shandong Energy Group Bozhong Offshore Wind Farm Site A Project. The project demonstrated the effective use of digital construction models to overcome unique engineering challenges presented by offshore environments, driving sustainability in power generation.

• Rail and Transit: SPL Powerlines UK for Midland Main Line Electrification: The Rail and Transit category was another hotspot for innovation this year, with SPL Powerlines UK winning for the Midland Main Line Electrification. This project demonstrated how digital collaboration can dramatically improve outcomes for rail electrification projects, which are essential for reducing carbon footprints and improving transportation efficiency.

• Roads and Highways: Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for Digital Twin Implementation for NLEX-SLEX Connector Road Project: In the Roads and Highways category, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Philippines took home the accolade for their Digital Twin Implementation for NLEX-SLEX Connector Road Project. This critical infrastructure project used digital twin models to monitor construction progress and asset performance—improving efficiency and reducing unexpected costs.

• Structural Engineering: Hyundai Engineering for New Physical Modeling Method for Plant Steel Structures Using STAAD API: Hyundai Engineering’s novel physical modelling method for plant steel structures, using STAAD API, earned recognition in the Structural Engineering category. This innovative approach improved design accuracy, reduced risks during construction, and demonstrated the power of digital tools in structural engineering.

• Surveying and Monitoring: Water Supplies Department for Digital Twin of the Ex-Sham Shui Po Service Reservoir: The Surveying and Monitoring category award went to the Water Supplies Department of Hong Kong for their work on the Digital Twin of the Ex-Sham Shui Po Service Reservoir. By leveraging digital twin models, the department was able to detect maintenance needs and optimise water distribution, demonstrating the effectiveness of digital tools in managing infrastructure assets.

• Subsurface Modeling and Analysis: Spark and WSP for North East Link Central Package: Spark and WSP’s North East Link Central Package project was recognised in the Subsurface Modeling and Analysis category. This project utilised Bentley’s subsurface modelling tools to provide a detailed understanding of underground conditions, ensuring safe and efficient tunnelling operations for this major infrastructure initiative.

• Transmission and Distribution: Southwest Electric Power Design Institute Co., Ltd. of China Power Engineering Consulting Group for Butuo ±800-kV Converter Station: In the Transmission and Distribution category, the Butuo ±800-kV Converter Station project by Southwest Electric Power Design Institute Co., Ltd. of China Power Engineering Consulting Group showcased how Bentley software can be effectively used to overcome challenges in high-voltage power transmission, improving reliability and performance.

• Water and Wastewater: Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo (Sabesp) for Integra 4.0: Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo (Sabesp) secured the award for the Water and Wastewater category for their Integra 4.0 project. This project demonstrated a sophisticated integration of data analytics to streamline water management in the state, setting a benchmark for digital innovation in water services.

The Trailblazers of Infrastructure

During the Year in Infrastructure event, Bentley’s founders also took time to recognise a select group of 16 projects with Founders’ Honours. These accolades were awarded to projects that went above and beyond, demonstrating new and imaginative uses of technology to advance quality of life.

The 2024 Founders’ Honours recipients are:

• Qk4, Inc. – Going Digital Survey with Bridging Kentucky

• Tecne Systra-Sws Advanced Tunneling Srl – Digital Implementation in Tunnel Assessment and Rehabilitation

• Guangdong Airport Authority – Digital Innovation Application of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Phase III Expansion Project

• MCC Capital Engineering & Research Incorporation Limited – Integrated Application of BIM Technology in the Design, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of the World’s First Hydrogen Metallurgy Engineering Demonstration Project

• Monir Precision Monitoring – 31 Parliament Street Urban Infrastructure and Excavation Shoring Monitoring

• Greenman-Pedersen Inc. – Brooklyn Bridge – Montgomery Coastal Resilience

• Arcadis – Cambridge South Infrastructure Enhancements

• Communaute d’Agglomeration Pau Bearn Pyrenees (CAPBP) – The Multipurpose Urban Digital Twin of Communaute d’Agglomeration de Pau Bearn Pyrenees

• PT Wijaya Karya – Nusantara Road and Highway Connectivity, New Capital City of Indonesia

• PT SMG Consultants Indonesia – Transformative Innovations in Southeast Sulawesi Nickel-Cobalt Exploration

• University of Canterbury – Incorporating Visible Geology and Leapfrog into undergraduate university courses

• Macquarie Geotechnical – Subsurface reality modelling for enhanced insight

• Exo Inc. – Evergy Power Transmission Structure Stabilization

• PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency – High Fidelity Digital Twin-Enabled Anomaly Detection and Localization in Singapore

• Maynilad Water Services Inc. – Network Design using OpenFlows WaterGEMS for Distribution of Direct Potable Reused Water at Parañaque City, Philippines

• Dublin Fire Brigade – Digital Twins for Emergency Response (DTER)

It’s clear from the Founders’ Honours recipients that Bentley Systems is interested not only in recognising the infrastructure industry’s heavy hitters but also in showcasing innovation that reflects a dedication to advancing technology for public good—a mission deeply rooted in the company’s values.

Powering Infrastructure Forward

Bentley Systems has undoubtedly positioned itself as a key player in the infrastructure software space. Their suite of industry-leading solutions, including MicroStation, SYNCHRO, and the iTwin Platform, continues to empower infrastructure professionals around the world. With 5,200 employees and a footprint in 194 countries, Bentley Systems has generated over a billion dollars in revenue, with their software playing a pivotal role in everything from roads and bridges to water and wastewater systems.

The Going Digital Awards are powerful reminders of what can be achieved when technology and engineering come together. Bentley Systems has cemented itself as a thought leader in the field, fostering an ecosystem of digital transformation that is set to revolutionise how we approach infrastructure in the 21st century.

A Bright Future for Digital Infrastructure

As the 2024 Going Digital Awards wrapped up in Vancouver, it became clear that the industry is rapidly evolving, with technology providing new ways to tackle age-old challenges. The integration of digital twins, automation, and real-time analytics showcased by Bentley’s winners paints a picture of an industry on the brink of transformative change. By embracing digital tools, the infrastructure sector can look forward to a future marked by resilience, sustainability, and efficiency—and Bentley Systems remains at the forefront, guiding the way.

The 2024 Going Digital Awards have once again shown that the future of infrastructure is bright, and when professionals leverage innovative tools and software, there’s no limit to what can be achieved.