Soils, landscape and woodland: how HS2 uses integrated asset information management in a BIM environment

High Speed Two (HS2) is delivering a new environmental framework alongside the railway infrastructure; creating landscape plantings sites and new ecological habitats and features in advance of the main construction works. Before it comes into operation, Phase One of the HS2 Project intends to create around 650 hectares of new woodlands, to provide new habitats, screen communities and blend the new line into the landscape. This huge task is fully integrated with the construction programme, utilising integrated Asset Information Management to efficiently collect and manage information throughout the build and operation of HS2.

The use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) is particularly significant in the design integration to support delivery of landscape earthworks, ecology, tree and woodland surveys; pre and post construction implementation of diverse habitats, landscapes and future land management.

Using BIM to achieve HS2 aims is enabled through integrated design, which, in turn, improves supply and construction coordination, and informs management and maintenance of assets throughout the Project’s lifecycle. During Scheme Design, the efficient management of data within a Common Data Environment (CDE) has helped reduce potential impacts arising from construction by, for example, recording baseline information to minimise the loss of existing trees and hedgerows and validate the design decisions. Such benefits extend through the Detailed Design and Construction stages.

The quality of data capture and the use of a Common Data Environment to integrate datasets from across the environmental and engineering disciplines has improved early design decision making to influence land management. Cost efficiencies will be delivered by enabling HS2 Ltd to plan, construct and manage soils, landscape, and woodland assets throughout the lifetime of the project.

This baseline information enables efficient and stable transfer of design data between contractor’s design teams. The data has been used to work with stakeholders to develop the Green Corridor strategy and of habitats, access and recreational opportunities that is delivering benefits to communities along the route which link up with those delivered by the HS2 railway.