Building information modeling (BIM) seems to revolutionize every industry it touches, and air travel is no exception. Engineers can leverage BIM to improve operational efficiency, streamline asset management, and create a generally safer environment by implementing detailed digital representations of an airport's physical and functional characteristics into the design process.
BIM Applications in Airport Construction Projects
BIM plays an essential role in the design of modern airports by providing a digital framework that extends into every aspect of a construction project. Not only does BIM allow for precise planning, but it also facilitates better coordination among other stakeholders like engineers, architects, and contractors, leading to a smoother overall construction process.
Advanced Visualization and Planning
One of BIM's most significant benefits is its ability to provide a complete visual overview of the construction process via interactive 3D models. These models can give stakeholders an intricate view of the finished project. However, modern BIM is not limited to static models. By taking advantage of BIM's predictive capabilities, engineers can simulate various scenarios, allowing designers to create the option with the best performance and make the best use of space in the city where the airport will be located.
Improved Coordination
By centralizing construction information into one shared digital model, BIM can ensure that engineers, contractors, architects, and investors are all on the same page regarding design, schedules, and progress updates. This transparency-centered approach reduces misunderstandings and communication errors that could lead to construction delays.
Enhanced Resource Management Efficiency.
BIM's ability to simulate and analyze different construction variables also provides a significant advantage in managing project resources. For example, modern BIM software provides architects and engineers with performance specs for specific building materials. It can suggest areas where a more affordable alternative could be used without strength and quality, leading to better use of allocated funds and reduced waste.
Enhancing Safety Through BIM-Enabled Design
While BIM plays an essential role in safety during construction, its power really shines through after construction comes to a close and an airport facility enters into its operational phase. By supplying a detailed digital model of an airport with a constant stream of real-time data, BIM allows operational managers to monitor the conditions of critical security systems that allow for safe air travel. For instance, facilities designed with BIM tech in mind are able to detect and log activity in restricted areas. If any suspicious activity is detected, the BIM system will immediately alert those in oversight to the potential threat so it can be handled accordingly.
Streamlining Airport Operations with BIM
Airports are some of the busiest facilities in the world. The Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta alone sees 286,000 passengers on a daily basis. So, when designing high-traffic areas, predicting traffic and congestion is essential, however difficult.
Fortunately, with data-based insights and AI predictive features, BIM technicians can calculate not only the number of estimated travelers passing through an airport but also the trends and tendencies of individual passengers, resulting in an incredibly accurate representation of daily airport activity between terminals, gates, shops, and restrooms. Architects and engineers then apply these insights to governmental regulations and standards to create the most efficient design possible.
BIM for Efficient Asset Management and Maintenance
Modern air travel is high-tech. Countless vehicles, computers, and machines ensure that passengers and their belongings arrive at their destination safely and on time. So, it is critical that these systems are well maintained and in top working order.
From a facility maintenance standpoint, BIM can be connected to computers and sensors installed on airport assets to track wear and tear, structural integrity, and even damage. The data collected from these systems helps facility managers execute predictive and preventative maintenance at the ideal moment to minimize costs and airport downtime.
Real-World Examples of BIM in Airport Safety and Operations
Today, the practical benefits of BIM are clearly demonstrated in revolutionary projects like the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Both projects showcase how BIM can be integrated into all phases of a building's airport lifecycle to enhance sustainability, efficiency, and safety.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol heavily relies on the digital twin concept in its approach to safety and operations. A digital twin is an advanced 3D model that reflects current conditions and any changes to the physical facility in real-time. The twin model connects and organizes information into a common data environment (CDE) that facilitates predictive maintenance and management of this airport's 80,000 assets, such as runways, machines, and advanced lighting systems. The CDE then works alongside the digital twin model to help track each asset and tell management when it's time for maintenance. This reactive approach to management has boosted Schiphol Airport's reputation for exceptional reliability and safety.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The San Francisco International Airport leverages a dynamic spacial ecosystem combining BIM and Global Information Systems (GIS) to direct its upcoming extensive terminal renovation project and day-to-day operations. This complex new system has helped SFO optimize its maintenance program and enhance communication across various airport departments.
Like Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, SFO utilizes a Digital Twin model. This helps them improve their emergency response plan by providing up-to-date detailed building plans and information regarding the airport's infrastructure to first responders. San Francisco Airport is an excellent example of how BIM can be used both preventatively and reactively when needed.
BIM continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in airport systems and operations. By providing a framework that enhances the design, construction, and management processes, airports can make their facilities safer and more efficient for travelers and employees. As BIM technology advances into a digital age, BIM integration will continue to show itself as a valuable tool in the aviation industry.
