Accelerating the digital transformation of Canadian infrastructure delivery

Future of Infrastructure Group (FIG) and Arup announced the launch of a new white paper titled Unlocking Digital Twins in Canada. It outlines a path and recommendations for accelerating the digital transformation of Canadian infrastructure delivery.

Canada is seeing a historic level of investment in infrastructure yet delays and cost overruns for complex projects are a hurdle to getting these major projects built. The way infrastructure — like transit lines, bridges, and roadways — are planned, delivered, and maintained can be revolutionized with the power of digital twins.

“Infrastructure projects involve complex webs of organizations who all rely on each other to deliver projects successfully. Communication is critical and the data created provides a huge opportunity to drive improvements in how we plan, deliver, and operate infrastructure,” said John Allen, executive director of Future of Infrastructure Group. “Technology can be a truly transformative force if we provide the rules, the processes, and prepare the people to get the most out of it.”

A digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical asset. Unlike a static model, it establishes a feedback loop where data are exchanged between the physical and digital environment. More than a tool, digital twins represent a data-driven methodology for the design, delivery, management, and operation of complex assets.

“We have some catching up to do. Finland introduced a mandate for Building Information Modelling back in 2007 and Quebec became the first (and still only) province in Canada to require BIM on projects in 2021. But now there seems to be major momentum across the country with at least 21 digital twins in development or live across Canada and many examples of smart use of data and new digital tools,” added Allen.

Research shows that using digital twins across planning, delivery, and operations can improve capital and operational efficiency by 20–30 per cent. The paper underlines how digital twins, alongside better data and digital standards, could lead to lower costs, greater efficiency, better decision making, and faster project completion.

“Digital twins can help designers, engineers, contractors, and owners make the most of their data, giving them greater understanding of what’s happening with complex projects in real time,” said Lindsay English, Arup’s Americas digital rail leader and chair of the FIG Digital & Data Working Group. “This paper is a practical roadmap considering the people, process, technology and data transformations necessary to realize the potential of digital twins for more efficient, resilient projects nationwide.”

Ontario’s Acting Minister of Infrastructure, Todd McCarthy, provided remarks at the launch event of Future of Infrastructure Group’s ew white paper titled Unlocking Digital Twins in Canada. (Arup)

The white paper was unveiled at an industry event in downtown Toronto, where the Todd McCarthy, Ontario’s Acting Minister of Infrastructure, provided remarks on the ambitions of the province to drive innovation in the sector.

“As Ontario delivers the largest infrastructure plan in its history, our government is embracing digital tools that help build projects better and faster,” said Acting Minister McCarthy. “These technologies can strengthen project delivery, support jobs, and help us build stronger, more resilient communities. We look forward to working with the sector to advance this innovation across our province.”

The event also included a panel discussion which featured Amar Singh of Infrastructure Ontario, Yuri Bartizis of Pomerleau, Dwayne Torrey of CSA Group, and English.

Speaking for contractors, Bartzis said the opportunity for the industry in the use of digital twins is saving money.

“Money is one of the biggest factors that that creates change,” he said. “We talked about the billions of dollars that are that we can see just by creating efficiencies on our construction site from digitization. So, this report digitizing a construction site, I see that the opportunities to create efficiencies on the construction site using advanced technologies like prefabrication, that is going to be influenced by digitization.”

Unlocking Digital Twins in Canada was developed over a year-long engagement by FIG’s Digital & Data Working Group. The group brought together 15 industry experts to review the current state of play, discuss challenges, and outline international best practices. Further workshops and roundtables convened industry, government, and academic experts from across Canada to uncover barriers and share insights about digital twins already being deployed. One example is the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension project, which is currently under construction in Toronto. Arup led the development of a digital twin pilot for the project in collaboration with Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx, which is already improving efficiency and anticipating conflicts before they arise.

The research, case studies, and workshop discussions are distilled into a set of recommendations that chart a path forward for widespread adoption of digital twins for Canadian infrastructure. FIG and Arup call for a national digital twin strategy built on consistent data standards, early‑adopter pilots, strengthened skills training, and regulatory modernisation.

Featured image: A panel discussion at the launch event of the Future of Infrastructure Group’s “Unlocking Digital Twins in Canada,” included (left to right) Amar Singh of Infrastructure Ontario, Yuri Bartizis of Pomerleau, Dwayne Torrey of CSA Group, and Lindsay English of Arup. (ReNew Canada)