Value of BIM in Infrastructure

Dodge Data & Analytics

Business value of BIMin infrastructure

The 2017 Dodge Data & Analytics SmartMarket report explores the use of BIM and level of implementation in transportation infrastructure for the United States, United Kingdom, France and Germany.

See the highlights of the report

Transportation segments

Survey respondents work on projects in these infrastructure segments. The report features projects that exemplify the value gained from BIM, including rail, airports and smart roadways. Other articles explore how BIM is valuable to infrastructure owners including city planning, asset management and more.

Aviation 49%
Rail and transit 45%
Bridges and tunnels 75%
Roads and highways 62%
Other infrastructure 19%

Level of BIM Implementation

52% now report they deploy BIM in over half their projects, versus only 20% implementing at that level two years ago

2015

7% on 75-100% of projects
13% on 50-74% of projects
67% on 1-49% of projects

2017

17% on 75-100% of projects
35% on 50-74% of projects
44% on 1-49% of projects

Authoring models versus use of models created by others

United States 76%

21% using models created by others
55% authoring models

United Kingdom 76%

17% using models created by others
59% authoring models

Germany 74%

14% using models created by others
60% authoring models

France 81%

21% using models created by others
60% authoring models

Benefits of BIM

The majority (87 percent) of BIM users in the study report that they are receiving positive value from their use of BIM. Most believe that they have only begun to experience the full potential.

34% Fewer errors
22% Greater Cost predictability
32% Better understanding
16% Better schedule
8% Optimized design

Overall

According to more than one third of respondents.
Reduced conflicts, field coordination problems and changes during construction.

Highest value project activities

Spacial coordination 58%
Client review and approval 57%
Structural analysis 53%
Quantity take-off 48%
Cost estimation & Cost control 46%
Submittal Process 46%
4D Scheduling & Schedule control 43%
Workforce / labor planning 8%

Return on investment

Combined 65%
United States 56%
United Kingdom 64%
Germany 75%
France 67%

Top 3 internal business benefits of BIM

Most users report that having BIM capability yields important internal benefits to their own businesses. Here are the top three internal business benefits for both engineers and contractors.

For engineers

Improve younger staff learning how projects go together 50%
Offering services 46%
Establishing consistentand repeated projectdelivery process 23%

For contractors

Improve younger staff learning how projects go together 44%
Offering services 42%
Establishing consistentand repeated projectdelivery process 24%

Top factors that would improve BIM benefits