Transformative Technologies and Future Opportunities in Indian Infrastructure

In an era marked by rapid technological advancement in Indian infrastructure, the road construction industry stands at the forefront of transformation. The increasing demand for enhanced infrastructure drives the need for innovative solutions that address enhancing riding quality and tackle efficiency of construction, sustainability, and the persistent challenge of skilled labor shortages, which is more pronounced when greenfield highways are constructed in remote locations.

The innovations in the sector can be divided into three phases of the project lifecycle, namely

• Road construction materials and machines,
• Design and implementation, and
• Highway operations and management.

Transformative Technologies

BIM has become extremely popular with the construction industry particularly when structures are involved. Confined space working is substantially simplified and the working risk is drastically reduced. Owing to the reliability of this application, and its multi-dimensional approach on various aspects that are inherent to any project, the NHAI is now considering submission of all tenders in the BIM format. This will help precise evaluation of the construction company’s proposal for a road project and bring in transparency about all the factors considered from the quality of materials, plant, and machinery to quality checks and sustainability measures taken.


Drones have transcended their initial role in aerial photography to become indispensable tools for site surveying, generating topographical maps, and monitoring construction progress in real time. Equipped with LiDAR technology, drones produce intricate 3D terrain models, enhancing planning accuracy by identifying environmental and logistical challenges early in the project lifecycle. NHAI mandates the reporting of monthly project progress all its projects on its portals in the format of drone videography, as it gives them the advantage of real-time progress and also gives them a picture of anticipated obstacles in the way of offering available fronts for site work, especially in greenfield projects.

Road construction companies are notching up their survey mechanisms using DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System) which is an enhancement to the Global Positioning System (GPS) providing surveyors with improved location accuracy. DGPS uses a network of fixed ground-based reference stations to broadcast the difference between the positions indicated by the GPS satellite system and known fixed positions. The digital correction signal is typically broadcast locally over ground-based transmitters of shorter range.




Last but not least, although much is being talked about the expansive application of AI in most fields and in innovative ways to make processes and systems efficient, it will still be some time until it acquires a firm root with any significant contribution to optimizing routine processes, in the road construction sector of Indian infrastructure.

Creating Opportunities in a Digital Landscape

While traditional roles may diminish, the digital age opens avenues in data analytics, drone operation, and managing advanced construction equipment. The infrastructure sector must recalibrate training programs to equip the workforce with requisite skills, ensuring alignment with evolving technological demands. The need is the mother of invention and each day more and more researchers are thinking out of the box and coming up with solutions to address challenges, all with an intent to speed up the construction completion without compromising on safety or quality. Trials are in progress before launching these techno-solutions into the hungry market of infra-construction.

Addressing Challenges on the Path to Innovation
 

Despite its benefits, implementing advanced technologies presents formidable challenges:
Cost Considerations: Substantial upfront investments are required for trials, acquiring and deploying advanced equipment and software. Government incentives, tax breaks promoting sustainable technology adoption, and collaborative industry efforts are pivotal in bridging financial gaps.

Skill Shortage: Attracting and retaining skilled talent capable of operating and maintaining new technologies remains critical. Investment in training initiatives, partnerships with educational institutions, and fostering a culture of continuous learning are imperative to cultivate a future-ready workforce.

Awareness and Adoption: Many companies remain unaware of the transformative potential of these innovations. Industry leaders must advocate for technology benefits and share best practices through conferences, workshops, and knowledge-sharing initiatives to stimulate widespread adoption.

Lack of regulatory protocol: Since the entire innovative field is in a constant evolutionary phase, there is a severe lack of established, time-tested data and analytics that will provide a foundation for scribing regulations and standards by the governing bodies and the government. Various experimental trials are underway and encouraging results are presented in various forums and white papers. Permissions are accorded on a case-to-case basis for implementation; however, the absence of firm guidelines still adapts an innovative solution, a grey area.

Paving the Future of Road Construction
 

The future of road construction hinges on innovation. By embracing new products, materials, and technologies, we can construct more sustainable, efficient, and durable roads. Overcoming challenges of cost, talent acquisition, and awareness requires collaborative efforts among industry leaders, governmental bodies, and research and development institutions, like the IITs. Steps towards the future with solutions like self-healing concrete, recycled plastic roads, using milled material, prefabricated plastic roads, and solar roads bring along with them huge advantages of lower carbon emissions, faster repairs and reduced damages and maintenance, durability, storage, and protection for underground cabling, water drainage, cabling, a smaller carbon footprint and a host of other economic benefits. As we invest in the construction future, we lay the groundwork for a resilient and sustainable transportation network for generations to come. We just need to open our minds and design engineering to the possibilities that lurk around the corner.

About the Author

This article by Mr. Jagdish Kadam was recently published in the edition of New Building Materials & Construction World (NBM&CW) magazine.