ABSTRACT
Infrastructure projects generate vast amounts of data throughout their lifecycle, much of it digital, encompassing geotechnical, environmental, and structural information essential for the design, construction, and operational stages. Effective management of this data is crucial to improving project outcomes, enhancing design accuracy, and increasing construction efficiency by reducing redundant investigations, minimising errors, and lowering overall costs. For underground construction, data transparency is particularly critical to success. Sharing accurate, real-time data facilitates innovative construction techniques, especially in complex geological environments, while also promoting sustainable and resilient industry practices. This paper examines the transformative potential of digital data sharing for large-scale infrastructure projects, with a particular focus on tunnelling. It highlights the vital role of client support in maximising these benefits and addresses challenges such as protecting intellectual property, safeguarding privacy, standardising data formats, and implementing robust digital platforms in line with ISO 19650 standards. Additionally, the paper underscores the long-term, post-construction value of digital data for both industry and academia. Through case studies and best practices, it demonstrates how effective data sharing not only enhances project delivery but also drives innovation across the infrastructure sector.
