Decisions are only as good as the available information. A new generation of frequently updated geospatial intelligence is providing engineering and construction firms with a real-world digital context, driving efficiency and mitigating risk.
In an environment of increasing complexity, tighter budgets, and compressed timelines, the need for intelligent, data-driven decisions has never been more critical. For engineering and construction projects, the enemy of planning is a lack of accurate data. Inaccurate data at the outset can weaken a project’s foundations, leading to costly rework and miscommunication that can derail schedules and budgets.
In response, leading firms are leveraging advanced geospatial data to gain a new level of foresight and flexibility. By integrating high-resolution 3D content and AI-driven insights, project teams can move from reactive fixes to proactive, efficient decision-making.
Tackling the high cost of rework
Rework is an expensive and all-too-common challenge in the construction industry. According to a 2022 FMI and Procore report, rework accounts for 19 per cent of total project costs, with 70 per cent of that attributed to design errors and 52 per cent stemming from inaccurate data and miscommunication.
Early access to accurate geospatial intelligence can significantly reduce these costs. Regularly updated aerial imagery provides an expansive, high-resolution 3D view of a project site and its surroundings, enabling remote evaluation and reducing the need for frequent site visits.
To learn more, download Nearmap’s white paper Improve profitability with smarter location insights for design and planning.
For Arcadis, managing the construction of Western Sydney’s Nancy-Bird Walton International Airport meant leveraging this data as a core asset. The project involved moving more than 23 million cubic metres of earth and installing 70 km of drainage lines, making an accurate understanding of the terrain essential.
“We used Nearmap to help us develop the design, and also the final documentation. That was really important,” says Steven Coyle, Digital Lead for Australia at Arcadis. “The amount of bulk earthworks that went into that project was enormous (more than 23 million m3 of earthworks), probably one of the biggest projects in Sydney in a long time. So, it was really important to provide that real-life context to particular stages within the design.”
Using detailed digital terrain models (DTM) was critical to planning work packages, resulting in fewer site visits, faster decision-making, and greater confidence in the early design stages.
Enhancing communication with immersive visualisations
Communicating complex project details to a wide range of technical and non-technical stakeholders is a persistent challenge. Immersive 3D reality models provide a powerful solution, allowing teams to illustrate construction sequencing and spatial requirements with clarity.
At the Fisherman’s Bend Innovation Precinct, Arcadis used Nearmap 3D models to demonstrate the advantages of using sheet piling over an open-cut method for a service installation. The visualisations clearly showed the construction area, exclusion fencing, equipment locations, and project stages once completed, helping the client and crew better understand the project’s scope and duration.
The impact on efficiency was significant. “We worked out that this probably saved us around 60% of time rather than using other methods of using data … [like] 2D construction sequencing, pages and pages of reports – real-life context is super important,” Coyle says.
This ability to provide realism is invaluable. On a road development project with Logan City Council, Arcadis used a 3D model that included surrounding elements like water, road markings, terrain, and vegetation to enhance understanding for all stakeholders. “You can pick your coordinate system then pick your file type depending upon the different authoring software or your connected data environment that you’re working with, and combine this with other data to provide that realism,” he says.
Mitigating risk and tracking progress
Throughout the construction phase, geospatial intelligence offers a clear and accurate digital context for monitoring progress and managing risk. AI-powered feature identification can detect potential safety hazards such as power lines or overhead vegetation, allowing teams to mitigate these risks from the desktop.
High-resolution 3D data allows for before-and-after models to be captured and compared, which is a powerful tool for milestone tracking, procurement timing, and checking contractor performance. Furthermore, sharing this aerial data across the entire project team—from engineering leads to clients and regulators—accelerates alignment and helps validate design adjustments at pace.
This detailed visual record extends into the operational life of an asset. For ongoing monitoring, updated aerial imagery allows asset managers to remotely track changes to facilities and surrounding landscapes, including roads, vegetation, and unauthorised works. It also simplifies dispute resolution for insurance claims by providing an indisputable visual record.
As the industry continues to innovate, AI-enhanced and 3D solutions are redefining what is possible. By minimising field visits, accelerating approvals, and enhancing stakeholder communication, this technology enables more confident, sustainable, and efficient design and operation.
To learn more, download Nearmap’s white paper Improve profitability with smarter location insights for design and planning.
