A groundbreaking approach to public infrastructure
Innovation and technology are at the forefront of the Government’s plans to transform and modernise the UK's highways network. The Digital, Data and Technology Playbook makes it clear, “technology offers a unique opportunity to reshape public services for the better”. However, as promising as this sounds, the quality of data in public infrastructure is still developing. A 2022 review by the Public Accounts Committee revealed that outdated systems, and a failure to adapt to post-pandemic changes in office use, are slowing down progress.
This is where Amey steps in. By integrating real-time data through cutting-edge software, Amey is tackling these challenges head-on. Through its estate management services, Amey is not only modernising ageing systems but also delivering advanced digital solutions that drive efficiency, improve cost-effectiveness, reduce carbon emissions, and elevate the overall workplace experience.
By supporting clients like National Highways, Amey is helping them work smarter, paving the way for a more streamlined and sustainable future for the UK’s strategic road network. With innovation leading the charge, the future of public infrastructure is already taking shape —and it’s digital.
Collaboration and innovation
Part of Amey’s transformation into a digital-first organisation involves collaborating with supply chain partners to co-develop digital solutions, processes, and capabilities. One such innovation is a complementary energy optimisation solution called E60+, developed in conjunction with Grid Edge. This AI-enabled technology integrates with existing BMS and data systems to contextualise various data types. It continuously scans for anomalies and adjusts asset operations to create carbon and cost savings.
Amey’s Technology Hub
To accompany this, Amey’s newly developed asset management and decarbonisation platform, Technology Hub, exemplifies how digitalised workspaces enable our customers, such as those in the transportation sectors, to concentrate on core services. The platform integrates an array of MRI Software products to create an intuitive user experience that informs strategic decision-making and reduces whole-life costs. At its core, MRI’s Evolution advanced Computer Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) system integrates multiple asset and energy management platforms, providing a comprehensive overview of estate performance.
Technology Hub also allows users to understand and manage energy consumption, carbon footprint, operational spend, and building performance through key data insights. This capability extends to optimising building occupancy, air quality, and room temperature, resulting in healthier and more productive environments for all users.
Practical implementation and benefits
Amey has started to implement these solutions across its areas of operation. At National Highways’ Brunel House site, Grid Edge has been used in conjunction with occupancy data to enable the operational teams to make decisions about asset usage. By optimising systems during building downtime, Amey has been able to offer significant savings to National Highways.
And the opportunities are endless with this type of technology. On Location Occupancy Analytics, a component of Technology Hub, creates detailed occupancy and capacity profiles. When combined with other data on power usage, indoor air quality, and metrics from IoT sensors, it enables the creation of truly smart office environments. This integration enhances decision-making, driving efficiency and productivity while reducing costs and environmental impact.
Innovative data utilisation
In addition, the technology’s ability to use detailed asset data, including IoT sensors and 3D digital twins, produces long-term replacement plans that optimise clients’ capital budgets. This innovative platform provides instant access to building data, facilitating audits and virtual property walkthroughs. These insights help prioritise maintenance backlogs and suggest office layout improvements to better utilise space and meet business needs. Investing in data scientists and AI will enable strategic suppliers like Amey, and its customers to further convert this data into actionable solutions.
A vision for the future
There is no doubt that technology is the future of the built environment. By working collaboratively with public sector organisations, infrastructure and decarbonisation service providers like Amey can revolutionise the management of the public estate. Interpreting data paves the way for projects that enable customers to maximise their budgets, drive towards Net Zero and improve public services.
In summary, Amey is supporting the UK's highways network by developing digitalised workspace solutions that exemplify the transformative power of technology. By leveraging data and innovative solutions, Amey is not only improving efficiencies, creating more productive working environments for employees, and reducing costs, but also paving the way for a sustainable future.