Victorian Transport Digital Engineering
Connecting for the future, Victorian Transport Digital Engineering (VTDE) is activating the power of digital engineering through people, process and technology to support our vision: an industry leading, connected ecosystem of digital engineering and asset information.
VTDE is a multi-year program that reaches across the entire Victorian transport supply chain. The program is led by the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority (VIDA) and the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP). The use of digital engineering in Victoria’s Big Build is revolutionising the way transport asset information is created, used and shared during project delivery.
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Click a link to go directly to the following sections:
- What is digital engineering?
- Digital engineering in Victoria’s Big Build
- Digital engineering standards, processes and tools
- More information and feedback
- VTDE event recordings
- Training videos
What is digital engineering?
Digital engineering is the use of digital technologies and processes to create a complete digital ecosystem. This enables data sharing, enhanced communication and efficient flow of information throughout the complete lifecycle of a transport asset.
Digital engineering in Victoria’s Big Build
At Victoria’s Big Build, we’re not only delivering important physical assets for the future of our transport network, we’re also creating valuable digital assets that will empower ongoing operations and maintenance of the physical assets.
Our projects are capturing a vast amount of digital information about complex infrastructure and assets during their delivery, including intelligent 3D models and rich spatial and asset data. The video below is an introduction to model-based delivery and the VIDA Digital Engineering Process Guide, which will help Victorian transport project stakeholders collaborate using models into the future.
Introduction to model-based delivery
The Big Build is the catalyst for changing how we work as an industry, moving away from legacy handover processes and modernising ways of working to utilise the digital tools, systems and processes which are now available. This will improve the way transport infrastructure, and the broader network, is operated, maintained and further developed.
Watch the video Model exchange: digital engineering process guide for an introduction to how VIDA and its industry partners will carry out model exchange, the first stage of model based delivery.
We’re also strengthening our capability by learning from, and engaging with, the wider Victorian transport industry. The Big Build is committed to developing and advancing the integration of digital engineering practices across Victorian transport through VTDE.
Digital engineering standards, processes and tools
VTDE is updating and developing new digital engineering standards, processes and tools for use in transport projects. This new suite will define how our industry partners work with the Big Build and DTP in the future.
Watch the video Digital engineering: requirements and documents for an introduction to our new requirements, standards and processes documents, such as the exchange information requirements and Digital Engineering Data Specification that are discussed below.
The documents below are applicable to, and available for, our industry partners.
Exchange information requirements
Exchange information requirements (PDF, 1MB) are the standard digital engineering processes, deliverables and information requirements to be applied on Big Build projects. Supports the consistent implementation of digital engineering practices.
Digital engineering data specification
Digital engineering data specification (XLSX, 200KB) specifies the data that must be captured and delivered by consultants and contractors working on VIDA projects. This specification outlines minimum data requirements for file, object and utility attribution, including when this information must be provided during the project lifecycle.
Project Information Model (PIM) guide
Project Information Model guide (PDF, 200KB) provides guidance to our industry partners on the different information container types that make up the PIM on a typical project. Information containers are broadly categorised as geometric information, non-geometric information and documentation. Typical examples are provided for each information container type at each delivery milestone.
Model object geometry guide
Model object geometry guide (PDF, 2.3MB) serves as a general guide for VIDA delivery teams, enabling a consistent approach to 3D modelling across every phase of the project lifecycle, based on a connection with specific use-cases and a defined level of information need. It outlines the expectations, standards, and methodologies that underpin the creation and evolution of 3D models from the 'concept' phase through to the 'handover' phase.
VTDE digital engineering tools
VTDE have developed digital engineering tools to automate and support the way digital engineering information is created and reviewed for Victorian transport projects. These tools have been developed and maintained by VTDE to support projects and their supply chain to drive a standard way of working for Victorian transport projects. The tools are available via a web browser interface to project staff and the supply chain with they can be used as a self-service.
The Model Validator Tool has been developed to run a series of automatic model-based assessments and validation checks of an IFC 3D-model file, assessing the quality of the model-based information based on digital engineering standards and data specification requirements.
Watch the video Model Validator Tool to learn more about how to use this tool.
Need access to the VTDE Tools? Email the VTDE team to request access.
More information and feedback
We welcome feedback around these documents and systems to help us refine and strengthen our approach. Email the VTDE team with feedback or for more information.
VTDE event recordings
Hear more about Victorian transport’s digital engineering context and how the VTDE program is effecting an important information management shift for projects and industry in our event recordings:
VTDE Industry Forum: The Glen Huntly Pilot – September 2024
VTDE Town Hall – August 2024
VTDE Town Hall – May 2023
Project delivery showcase – October 2022