Artificial intelligence jumps on the transport infrastructure bandwagon
The technology centre Tekniker contributes to accelerate the digitisation of the construction of transport facilities in the INARTRANS 4.0 project.
Digitalisation and the application of new artificial intelligence (AI) tools in industrial processes improve production efficiency, reduce execution times and minimise costs. The construction sector, and in particular transport infrastructures such as railways, present an opportunity and a wide margin for improvement in the implementation of these technologies.
Given this scenario, the Tekniker technology centre, a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), is participating in the INARTRANS 4.0 project, which began this year, and whose main objective is to accelerate the digital transformation of the transport infrastructure construction sector to increase its competitiveness through the use of AI solutions throughout the value chain.
Within the project, AI will be applied in several key areas of infrastructure development, such as construction, where its implementation will be aimed at improving efficiency, safety, productivity and quality at all stages of the process, from planning to execution.
At the same time, the application of these technologies will also be studied in the field of infrastructure management and maintenance, which is one of the largest operational and running costs, in order to increase efficiency, safety and sustainability.
Research will also investigate the use of AI to develop a comprehensive system to analyse and manage large volumes of data from various sources. This system will facilitate the unified operation of infrastructures in real time and enable efficient automation of processes.
Interoperability tool
To meet these challenges, Tekniker will play a leading role in the project thanks to its extensive experience and expertise in the technologies under study in the initiative.
Among its tasks is the development of a tool to ensure interoperability in the management of construction permits and compliance controls. ‘This solution will allow all actors involved in the construction process, from authorities to companies, to access the same information in a consistent and efficient manner,’ explains Francisco Javier Diez, researcher at Tekniker.
At the same time, Tekniker will focus on the analysis, exploitation and processing of critical information from all phases of construction and maintenance of infrastructure to improve the efficiency, safety, productivity, quality and sustainability of all processes.
‘We will implement AI models that will optimise maintenance by continuously monitoring the progress and status of the infrastructure, responding to maintenance needs in a proactive manner,’ concludes the researcher.
The INARTRANS 4.0 project, due to end in December 2026 and funded by the CDTI’s TransMisiones programme and the State Research Agency, brings together a consortium made up of Tekniker, ACCIONA Construcción, GRUPO AZVI, INDRA Sistemas, JIG Internet Consulting, VIRTUALMECH, CTCON, INTROMAC, the University of Alcalá and the Polytechnic University of Madrid.
