Press Release

Balfour Beatty VINCI, the joint venture working on the conversion of the M5 Junctions 4a to 6 smart motorway project on behalf of Highways England, has achieved significant results through the use of 4D modelling as a management tool.

The joint venture utilised 4D modelling for all critical activity which had the potential to impact project timescales to enhance understanding of the works sequence prior to starting on site, reduce waste and inefficiencies, avoid operational and logistics clashes and mitigate health and safety risk.

Using this innovative software, Balfour Beatty VINCI and Highways England re-opened a stretch of the M5 three and a half hours earlier than planned during a scheduled 12-hour closure, removing planned disruption for over 26,000 of road users on their morning commute.

4D modelling is becoming commonplace on infrastructure projects to help plan out complex sequences of works ahead of programme, however, Balfour Beatty VINCI’s use of the software broadened its scope to include day to day project management taking the software beyond its standard operational practice.

Josh Hanson, Digital Project Coordinator for Balfour Beatty said, “This is the first time Balfour Beatty VINCI joint venture has used this software as a management tool, taking the technology beyond site safety and operational planning uses in to all aspects of our work including site inductions. This collaborative approach has also extended to planning meetings with Highways England, resulting in a more seamless working relationship on a complex and busy project”.

"This approach will now be rolled out to our other highways projects as well as other areas of the business”.

Listen to Josh explaining the process and benefits of using 4D modelling on the M5 project in a short film: https://youtu.be/xvAFXJ7kecw 

Balfour Beatty VINCI was appointed to the M5 project in January 2016 with work due for completion in June 2017

ENDS

Media enquiries to:

Rebecca Jones

Balfour Beatty

t:   +44 (0) 207 963 2150

e:  Rebecca.Jones2@BalfourBeatty.com

For all non-media related enquiries please contact +44 (0)20 7216 6800 or info@balfourbeatty.com

Notes to editors:

• Balfour Beatty VINCI represents a powerhouse for critical infrastructure across Rail, transport and other iconic projects in the UK and beyond. Balfour Beatty VINCI’s involvement in groundbreaking Design Build Finance and Operation (DBFO) projects offers a unique end-to-end asset knowledge that is crucial in developing the best solutions to the infrastructure needs of the UK. Balfour Beatty and VINCI started working together over 30 years ago when both were members of the TransManche Link consortium which delivered the Channel Tunnel. Balfour Beatty VINCI has successfully bid and delivered a number of key projects on Crossrail and are currently working on a Smart Motorways Programme, starting with an 18km stretch of the M5.

Balfour Beatty and VINCI have also joined forces to pursue work on High Speed 2, utilising the expertise acquired by both companies on High Speed 1 from VINCI’s involvement on the €8bn Tours-Bordeaux high speed rail project in France and from Balfour Beatty’s extensive work on transport networks across the UK and overseas.

• Balfour Beatty (www.balfourbeatty.com) is a leading international infrastructure group. With 36,000 employees, we provide innovative and efficient infrastructure that underpins our daily lives, supports communities and enables economic growth. We finance, develop, build and maintain complex infrastructure such as transportation, power and utility systems, social and commercial buildings.  Our main geographies are the UK, US, Middle East and South East Asia. Over the last 100 years we have created iconic buildings and infrastructure all over the world including the London Olympics’ Aquatic Centre, Hong Kong’s first Zero Carbon building, the world’s biggest shopping mall in Dubai, the National Museum of the Marine Corps in the US and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

• VINCI is a global player in concessions and construction, employing more than 185,000 people in some 100 countries. We design, finance, build and operate infrastructure and facilities that help improve daily life and mobility for all. Because we believe in all-round performance, above and beyond economic and financial results, we are committed to operating in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. And because our projects are in the public interest, we consider that reaching out to all our stakeholders and engaging in dialogue with them is essential in the conduct of our business activities. www.VINCI.com