Design software targets utilities facing 'unprecedented challenges'

Autodesk has released two new additions to its portfolio of software for building information modeling (BIM) for sustainable infrastructure: Autodesk Infrastructure Modeler 2012 and AutoCAD Utility Design 2012.

Both releases are designed to complement the Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite 2012 aimed at helping industry professionals increase efficiency and remove waste from their processes.

Autodesk Infrastructure Modeler 2012 is conceptual design software that helps evaluate future infrastructure in the context of what already exists by creating, evaluating and communicating project proposals. AutoCAD Utility Design 2012 is model-based design software that helps utility designers and engineers design, analyze and deliver more productive and consistent electric distribution designs.

“Engineers and owners developing infrastructure projects are facing unprecedented challenges — lower project funding, design complexity, economic uncertainty and public resistance to major infrastructure projects,” said Paul McRoberts, vice president, infrastructure product line group, AEC solutions, at Autodesk. He said the new software was designed to “help our customers in transportation, water, energy, and land development segments to overcome these challenges …”

When you factor in populating multiple systems and applications, and printing and distributing designs manually, it used to take days to complete even simple projects,” said Ray Pearce, GIS project manager at Anchorage Municipal Light & Power. The new software, he said, has enabled the utility to automate time-consuming procedures for better modeling during the design process.