Smart Mobility Living Lab
Led by TRL and part-funded by Innovate UK, the Smart Mobility Living Lab (SMLL) project aims to deliver the United Kingdom’s most advanced real-world connected environment for testing and understanding future mobility technologies. Whilst utilising Building Information Modelling (BIM) technologies for its many known benefits in construction and infrastructure, the aim is to learn and understand how connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) can fit into the UK’s future urban mobility needs.
The project will include multiple real-world environments modelled from locations in London that will enable CAVs to be developed, evaluated, and integrated into the local community. This project will gather the necessary data to prove that CAVs will operate efficiently and safely on open roads as viable alternative mobility options.
Cloud-Based Collaboration
3D Repo’s cloud-based digital construction platform for Building Information Modelling was selected to host and coordinate the 3D models of the London-based test sites chosen for this project. The sites include a 13km area in Greenwich and another site at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
SMLL and TRL Requirements for a BIM Platform
- On-demand data access through the web
- Easily able to collaborate with customers
- A single source of truth
On-Demand Data Access
The 3D Repo platform is entirely in the cloud, which means there are no downloads or software that need to be installed on a computer to access it. Anyone involved in the SMLL project with an internet connection and the correct user permissions can access their 3D models through a web browser whenever they need to.
Collaborative
Many different stakeholders are involved in the project including data capture, model building, and end-user. A collaborative platform was required to bring it all together. 3D Repo allows all stakeholders to easily access data and work collaboratively on the project.
Single source of truth
3D Repo is a hub for communication, with full dialogue and recording capabilities that allow people to interact in real-time. 3D Repo ensures that everyone is working from the most up to date models and data.
Building a Digital Twin
Murphy Surveys used LiDAR technology to capture detailed scans of the buildings and infrastructure. TRL’s own survey team enriched the model with details of the pavement and surrounding areas for a more detailed 3D model. 3D Repo was able to create basic building models where required to build out the site model. Finally, a 3D model was made in Autodesk Revit, utilising the captured data. The final model was then federated in 3D Repo.
Using the Here Maps integration in 3D Repo, the BIM models can be placed on top of a base map layer according to its London location, with live traffic data also being visually fed through to further enrich the model.
With a detailed model in place, simulation company, Immense can create highly detailed simulations and provide analyses and insights to all stakeholders involved in mobility systems planning. These simulations consider real-world environmental factors.
Benefits of BIM for CAV
Better Planning & Understanding
Detailed data is collected to create a digital twin, including precise geometry layout of the road and roadside to aid in project planning and understanding.
Scenario Planning
New information is discovered during the creation of the BIM models, allowing for real-world scenario planning and testing e.g. testing the effect of faded road markings on CAVs.
Collaboration & Communication
With a BIM model everyone involved can easily visualise the project and have access to the most up to date information whenever they need it.
A Digital Asset
A digital twin provides information on the whereabouts of existing assets and aids in deciding the best locations when installing new hardware.
Asset Management
The BIM model can be used as an SMLL Asset Management Tool, with location and properties of all SMLL roadside assets that have now been captured.
“We chose to work with 3D Repo because it is highly collaborative in nature and allowed us to easily access and share our data from wherever and with whoever we needed to.”
ISO Certified
ISO international standards ensure consumers can have the confidence that their products are safe, reliable, and of good quality. 3D Repo has undergone independent verification through BSI to achieve the highest standards of information security, privacy, and management processes and controls.
ISO 27001 – Cert number IS 693487
ISO 9001 – Cert number FS 693488
