What is infrastructure DX? Explaining industry initiatives

Why is infrastructure DX necessary?

In the infrastructure industry, which is essential to daily life, many problems may arise if DX is not promoted. First, we will explain the issues that the infrastructure industry needs to solve and the background behind the need for DX.

Challenges facing the infrastructure industry

In the field of infrastructure, which is the foundation of our lives, it is essential to take measures against disasters and aging so that we can respond to any situation. To achieve this, it is necessary to secure human resources to maintain and manage the infrastructure stably and to maintain an environment that is always responsive.

The problem in the infrastructure sector that comes to light here is Japan’s declining population.

Water supplies and roads that are necessary for daily life can be used safely because there are people who maintain and manage them to ensure that they do not deteriorate. Even if Japan’s population were to decline, the scope of maintenance and management would not be narrowed and management costs would not be reduced.

Therefore, if the population decline is not stopped, the burden on each person in infrastructure management will increase.

Background to the infrastructure industry promoting DX

An event that has given a major boost to the promotion of DX in the infrastructure industry is the change in work styles due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection.

Many companies have begun to adopt telework and online work as a way to work without contact. This is expected to not only improve productivity but also create an environment that can deal with the risk of infectious diseases.

However, in the case of the infrastructure industry, it will be difficult to quickly improve productivity because of the unique characteristics of the construction industry, such as a lot of work being done outdoors and single-item production.

The construction industry is an important industry that requires appropriate response in times of disaster. Strong promotion of smart and digitalization is considered necessary not only for productivity but also for safety and security.

Infrastructure DX at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

Even though we call it the infrastructure industry, various actions can be said to be effective for DX depending on the industry. From here, we will explain the DX initiatives of all infrastructure industries. First, I will explain the efforts of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

work site

By advancing DX in the infrastructure industry, AI and robots will be able to perform tough and dangerous tasks in place of humans. For example, by using power assist suits, it is possible to reduce the burden on workers or to replace the work itself with machines.

In addition, by digitizing skilled skills, it is possible to achieve efficient skill acquisition and create an environment where even inexperienced workers can play an active role. Specifically, we will visualize skilled skills through the use of motion sensors, etc., and achieve efficient training and passing on of skills.

In this way, if autonomous construction and unmanned construction become possible at work sites, it will not only lead to improvements in safety and productivity, but will also contribute to solving problems faced by the infrastructure industry.

digital technology

In the infrastructure industry, investigation work and supervisory inspection work occur in various situations. To make this kind of work more efficient, it is effective to utilize data through digital technology and automate machines.

We will acquire 3D data using TLS (Terrestrial Laser Scanner) and UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) for supervision and inspection work that was previously performed by humans on site. By utilizing the data obtained in this way, it is possible to improve the efficiency of inspection work such as supervision work and workmanship management (confirming that construction is being performed as intended), as well as to eliminate contact with workers and save labor.

In addition, to understand the damage situation in the event of a disaster, we will realize changes in survey operations, such as estimating and measuring displacement using satellite images and checking the damage situation using drones.

Furthermore, in the river field, it is possible to automate embankment weeding work and volume measurement, and in the road field, it is possible to perform management and inspections such as improving the efficiency of damage judgment using cameras mounted on patrol vehicles.

Administrative procedures

We aim to shorten the time required for administrative procedures by moving them online and digitizing them. Digitization of special clearance procedures and port-related data will speed up procedures and build a collaborative infrastructure.

In addition, the appropriate use of digital data is expected to improve the safety and convenience of people’s lives.

For example, installing ETC in places other than expressways, such as parking lots, will contribute to the spread of touchless payments. Furthermore, by utilizing sensing technology inside stations, it is possible to prevent accidents such as falls of visually impaired people and ensure the safety and security of passengers.

Infrastructure DX in the agricultural field

DX in the agricultural field requires solutions to emerging problems such as labor shortages and aging, as well as changes in management styles. Here, we will provide an overview and specific details of DX in the agricultural field.

What is the DX that the agricultural field is trying to advance?

DX in agriculture is DX implemented based on the “Agricultural DX Concept” announced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in March 2021. The aim is to promote data-driven agricultural management using digital technology and transform agriculture into one that creates and provides value that meets consumer needs.

The agricultural DX concept has a wide range of applications, including food-related industries, and is characterized by aiming for DX in a series of steps, starting from the production site and ending with distribution and food manufacturing.

To provide consumers with a stable supply and the value they seek, it is considered necessary to achieve both labor-saving and high productivity through the introduction of new technologies. Therefore, the purpose of agricultural DX is to implement new technologies such as AI, robots, and IoT in the field and perform agriculture using data.

Specific project details of agricultural DX

Projects to advance agricultural DX are classified into three categories: “Administrative Practice”, “On-site”, and “Fundamental”.

The goal of this practical administrative project is to bring about change in the slow pace of digitalization, which has become an issue, by promoting the standardization and unification of systems. This will be an element that indirectly supports agriculture as a whole, including thorough use of data and a review of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries common application service towards full-scale launch.

For on-site projects, we plan to build a consistent system across all sites, from production to distribution and retail, and review regulations that impede the use of digital technology. It is expected that this will not only improve productivity but also create new connections.

The basic project will build a platform that connects the field and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, and will work to provide direct information and collect information on the field situation in real-time. By collecting, updating, and analyzing data, and making it open data, we can expect that it will link policy and on-the-ground efforts and accelerate agricultural DX.

Infrastructure DX in the construction field

What kind of DX initiatives are being undertaken in the construction industry, where it is considered difficult to increase productivity due to the structure of the business? Here we will explain what measures have been taken.

Utilization of digital technology “i-Construction”

In the construction field, an initiative called “i-Construction” has been carried out to introduce the full use of ICT and improve the overall productivity of construction production systems.
Although this initiative did not originate from DX, it is a measure with a similar direction in terms of utilizing digital technology. The aim is to create new construction sites that are highly productive and attractive.

In the past i-Construction, there were aspects where the purpose was to introduce ICT, and there was a problem that the full effect of the introduction could not be felt.

Therefore, i-Construction in the DX era clarifies the significance and purpose of introducing digital technology and takes steps from digitization to systemization and data utilization.

Measures in i-Construction

To tackle DX, it is effective to build a network that is not affected by location, time, or environment.

With the introduction of i-Construction, the following three measures have been proposed to create a better environment for the construction industry than ever before.

The first is the full use of ICT technology (earthworks), to make full use of ICT in all civil engineering processes such as surveying, design, investigation, construction, and inspection. With this, we aim to not only create blueprints from data acquired by UAVs but also enable construction using ICT construction equipment.

The second is the standardization of standards (concrete work). We aim to optimize the entire process to improve productivity and efficiency in the supply chain. In addition, it will be possible to shorten the construction period (construction) and save labor through efficient construction methods, such as standardizing component specifications and prefabricating reinforcing bars.

The third measure is to standardize the construction period. In the construction industry, there is a noticeable imbalance in construction schedules. We aim to secure an appropriate construction period by taking measures such as increasing the planning ability of the client through the issuance of government bonds.

DX in the infrastructure field creates all kinds of value

DX in the infrastructure field, which has been thought to be structurally difficult, is steadily moving toward realization. If DX can be realized, it will not only solve the problem of population decline but also create an environment where everyone can play an active role.

Since it is thought that it will strengthen industrial competitiveness and provide great value to the people, it would be desirable to start working on it as soon as possible.

In addition, Pasona Tech also offers services that support companies’ DX promotions.
For example, the Microsoft Remote Help Desk Service is a service that supports companies that are unable to effectively utilize Microsoft products after implementing them.

If you have introduced Microsoft products as part of your DX promotion, but are concerned that they are not being used internally, please check it out.