Infrastructure could be optimised by ensuring a digital by default approach, particularly where new assets are built with smart connected capabilities delivered from day one, and provision made for future enhancement. Infrastructure can use the latest technologies to improve its impact on the people and communities who use it. This technology plays an important role in:
• reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions
• managing health, safety and security
• improving the occupant experience
• enabling better facilities management.
Australia could do these things even better if it had connected infrastructure that was digital by default - where embedding digital technologies, such as sensors, in infrastructure is normal. Reaching this state will require new approaches to building standards, major publicly funded projects and best-practice efforts by architects and designers. There need to be:
• more coordination and standardisation across relevant industries and governments
• clearer regulation
• improved digital and building standards
• a maturing of risk assessments and management
• digital champions who are involved in all major government infrastructure projects
• effective governance.
These simple digital by default building blocks will reduce the need to retrofit new technologies to infrastructure, which is time-consuming and expensive.