Immersive 4D technology to help boost HS2 site safety

1729 0

 

3D Repo’s cloud-based platform for BIM data at heart of SafetiBase 4D system used by Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV)

HS2 is looking to boost worksite safety through the use of immersive 4D technology, as the UK’s high speed rail link moves into the full construction phase.

Implemented by works contractor Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV) and software developer 3D Repo, the SafetiBase 4D system is designed to enable site teams to identify, record and resolve site hazards as part of a virtual construction sequence evaluation and training.

The SafetiBase 4D system sees site workers enter the ‘Mission Room’, which creates a four dimensional, 360º virtual version of a BBV construction site on HS2’s Area North route.

From the safety of an office environment, workers can then go on to the virtual site and explore, discuss and agree the project’s delivery sequence, identify safety issues and agree how to resolve them.

Delivery teams can also join remotely via the internet, to tag hazards at a specific place and time in the virtual build sequence. The technology also provides the ability to click on the hazard symbol to access its entire history including details of progress that has been made in tackling identified hazards.

“This technological innovation has huge potential to improve safety on the project,” says HS2 senior innovation manager Dr David Rogers. “Immersing teams in a 4D virtual site enables them to examine the task and, not only tag hazards, but hopefully eliminate them before they arrive on site, driving a virtuous circle improving safety and boosting productivity.”

Advertisement
Advertisement

“Using this immersive innovation, we are able to fully visualise our sites and interact with the works sequence, showing how specific HS2 assets will be built piece by piece,” adds Balfour Beatty Vinci’s head of innovation & transformation, Dan Fawcett. “Creating a truly digital workflow for capturing hazards, assigning ownership and ensuring action is taken to mitigate or manage these risks, SafetiBase 4D also ensures that we are delivering efficiently and effectively throughout the programme of works.”

“3D Repo has been working with Balfour Beatty Vinci on a HS2-funded innovation development to integrate 4D data from Synchro into 3D Repo. This development will allow users to democratise, visualise and analyse the output of 4D modelling to the wider project team. This will enable full cloud-based collaboration with issues and risks linked to the 4D timeline,” adds 3D Repo’s commercial director Andrew Norrie.


If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our email newsletter or print / PDF magazine for FREE

Advertisement

Leave a comment