Driverless cars could soon start impacting commercial, retail project design

Driverless cars could have an impact on the design of commercial and retail projects a lot sooner than many believe, according to a principal with a California design firm.

Autonomous vehicles are expected to enter the market within the next 10 years, and this has implications for parking standards in particular. Onsite parking could be reduced, with parking for driverless cars moved to less valuable properties nearby.

At hotels, taxi lines will be longer, requiring more robust concierge systems and lines for guests while they wait for their driverless cars. Driverless vehicles will need less room on roads and smaller parking dimensions to maneuver, so the overall size of a development could be reduced.

Driverless cars could also be used to deliver goods to consumers. That may mean that the back of retail outlets would not need to hold as much inventory, making it possible to shrink their building footprint.

Aligning the BIM model with the owner’s asset management system is the crucial first step in creating a Digital Twin. By following these guidelines, organizations can harness the power of Digital Twins to optimize facility management, maintenance planning, and decision-making throughout the building’s lifecycle.

Woman on treadmill in healthcare facility

Designers | Jul 25, 2023

The latest 'five in focus' healthcare interior design trends

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Digital Twin | Jul 17, 2023

Unlocking the power of digital twins: Maximizing success with OKRs

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Standards | Jun 26, 2023

New Wi-Fi standard boosts indoor navigation, tracking accuracy in buildings

The recently released Wi-Fi standard, IEEE 802.11az enables more refined and accurate indoor location capabilities. As technology manufacturers incorporate the new standard in various devices, it will enable buildings, including malls, arenas, and stadiums, to provide new wayfinding and tracking features.

Virtual Reality | Jun 16, 2023

Can a VR-enabled AEC Firm transform building projects?

With the aid of virtual reality and 3D visualization technologies, designers, consultants, and their clients can envision a place as though the project were in a later stage.

Rogers-O'Brien's safety manager utilizes the Polar armband to monitor his biometrics while on the jobsite.

AEC Innovators | Jun 15, 2023

Rogers-O'Brien Construction pilots wearables to reduce heat-related injuries on jobsites

Rogers-O'Brien Construction (RO) has launched a pilot program utilizing SafeGuard, a safety-as-a-service platform for real-time health and safety risk assessment. Non-invasive wearables connected to SafeGuard continuously monitor personnel to prevent heat exhaustion on jobsites, reducing the risk of related injuries. RO is the first general contractor to pilot this program.

Contractors | May 26, 2023

Enhanced use of data is crucial for improving construction job site safety

Executives with major construction companies say new digital tools are allowing them to use data more effectively to reduce serious safety incidents and improve job site safety.