Using AI to cut costs and the impact of carbon in infrastructure construction

HS2 has begun trials in the UK of a software system designed to cut both the cost and carbon impact of infrastructure construction.

The tool applies artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to estimate the financial and carbon implications of competing designs, direct from design models. HS2 said the approach, which aims to replace manual assessments, is currently being trialled across several project sites managed by SCS, a joint venture between Skanska / Costain / Strabag.

SCS is working on two major contracts as part of HS2’s first phase, following April’s Notice to Proceed, tackling civil engineering for the project’s Northolt tunnels as well as Euston tunnels and approaches.

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