Improvements in surveying data collection processes and hardware have made it easier for surveyors to capture multiple attributes in the field for downstream surveying, engineering, and integrated GIS usage.

For end users, this translates to an enriched environment and new opportunities for transportation and civil engineers. However, in the past, these users have been restricted to using differing versions of the data, without a version of the full width and breadth of information captured – until now.

Whether you work in civil engineering, facilities management, or on infrastructure and construction projects, you understand the drivers and benefits of BIM. Yet despite this, there’s a very real chance that you’re not currently embracing BIM.

Why is that?

A few weeks ago Autodesk announced updates to its popular InfraWorks 360 preliminary engineering design software. Among these was the addition of several new powerful component road and transition workflows features that allow you to model more detailed and accurate roads.

The new functionality includes:

• User definable transitions of various elements, enabling you to create realistic bus bays, lane transitions, and median transitions

Flood risk assessment and mitigation is a critical part of any civil engineer’s job. After Superstorm Sandy devastated the New Jersey/New York shore in 2012, it was discovered shortly thereafter that federal flood maps drawn up by FEMA were wrong. Unfortunately for many home and business owners, developers relied on FEMA’s assessment of risks when they built new homes near the water and property owners made decisions about whether to buy flood insurance based on those maps.

BIM, a process for creating and using a 3D intelligent model for planning, designing, building, and managing infrastructure, is used across multiple industries to get accessible and actionable insight throughout project lifecycles. BIM improves coordination, creates and delivers intelligent models, and reduces rework and material waste.

Since utilities drive some of the largest construction budgets, applying the principles of BIM as you update old and build new infrastructure can improve cost control and reduce construction waste below the typical 30% level. How?

If you’re a member of the civil engineering community, you may be wondering what Autodesk InfraWorks 360 is. For example, how does it differ from AutoCAD Civil 3D and when would you use one over the other, or even together?

Laser scanning-based reality capture is fundamentally changing the world of architecture and construction.  This technology and the complimentary workflow provides tangible, real-world benefits by lowering the cost of documenting as-is conditions and reducing the overall project lifecycle. Building and facility owners realize cost reducing and measurable benefits, including reduced man-hours, and improved accuracy. Lower costs related to errors and omissions, including a reduction of change orders, are also achieved.

Just as our access to life-supporting resources is declining, our consumption of life supporting resources is on the rise. It’s a troubling dichotomy that is leading to increased policy making and regulation that puts pressure on federal, state, and local agencies to take action.

The much beloved Autodesk Land Desktop civil engineering solution was discontinued almost 10 years ago and replaced by Civil 3D, but that’s not to say it went away entirely.

However, Land Desktop is no longer supported by Autodesk (i.e. no technical assistance if things go wrong, hot fixes, or service packs). Additionally, civil engineering software, in the form of Civil 3D, has evolved drastically since 2008, adding more features, functionality and product integrations.