In the context of Industry 4.0, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a powerful methodology that has been implemented with great success in the domain of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC). The construction industry has been working intensively on the implementation of the BIM methodology over recent years. BIM is a collaborative work concept, strongly based on technological advances in computation. BIM tools enable the development of building projects during their lifecycle, including the design, construction, maintenance, management, and demolition phases. However, its inclusion in the transport infrastructure sector (roads, railways, bridges, tunnels, airports, and ports) is lagging far behind that of buildings. Transportation is perhaps the largest beneficiary of this managed modeling approach, given the state and quality of transportation infrastructure. Although only a few case studies have been reported in the literature, there is a growing interest in the applicability of BIM to the transport infrastructure sector (I-BIM). However, interoperability remains a major problem in linear infrastructures due to the lack of standardized data. Considering the analysis of the interoperability capacity between software and the standardized data schema, Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) have become essential. Also, in the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) phase of existing infrastructures, different systems are frequently available to manage building maintenance data. However, current practices do not integrate these systems and still manually process dispersed and unformatted data. It has been realized through research and practice that lean construction and BIM have significant synergies and can bring benefits if implemented together.

BIM is now recognized as the current best practice methodology to undertake building and infrastructure projects. The movement toward BIM for transportation projects has proponents around the globe, but it has yet to expand into widespread adoption. Far more developed for “traditional” construction, BIM is gaining momentum in the infrastructure field (I-BIM). The most significant differences when confronted with traditional building projects are the data structure, the project size (usually far more expansive than traditional building projects), the necessity for more mature asset management and maintenance processes and the focus on non-graphical data and respective connections to the model. Beyond the robust, detailed, graphical and intelligent three-dimensional model, the connection between the design and the other project phases (e.g., construction, operation, maintenance), is vital to the advancement of the BIM technology, and should be an object of study and improvement. In addition, throughout the project life cycle, adequate information management practices must be implemented, and dedicated software should be enhanced in terms of function and application range. Also, the trends of big data and sensor proliferation fit nicely with BIM enhancement, as transportation data can help to inform the model and sensors can provide input on infrastructure performance. The next generation of transportation infrastructure is working to combat congestion as well as enhancing safety and sustainability. BIM provides the means and mechanisms to ensure that each new project contributes toward these goals with software that aids advancements in design, engineering, and construction via a collaborative and quantifiable process. However, BIM still suffers from the lack of fundamental research, such as the visualization, exchange, and interoperability of information. In addition, research into various I-BIM applications, new and as-built models, are also very prospective.

This Special Issue welcomes both original research and review articles and aims to bring researchers from academia and industry together to report and explore some advanced methodologies and applications in I-BIM and review the latest progress in this field for improving design quality and efficiency construction of transportation infrastructures.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• I-BIM for planning and design of transport infrastructures
• As-built I-BIM models and as-built documentation
• I-BIM-based lifecycle management and maintenance
• I-BIM big data integration and optimization
• I-BIM visualization techniques
• I-BIM for risk and traffic safety management
• I-BIM-based sustainability applications
• Interoperable Data Exchange Formats for Transportation 3D Models
• Advanced Data Collection Techniques to Support BIM Design Decision
• Legal & Contractual Barriers of I-BIM