Current regulations are an obstacle to innovation in road construction. Business models can also be a barrier. Who helps drive innovation? The advisors have a very great opportunity to create the necessary room for action to develop and implement innovative and sustainable solutions. So, how to unleash the innovation power of consulting engineers?

As part of an ongoing workshop series within the project Sustainable value chain and material use in road construction, consulting engineers were invited to explore innovative and sustainable technological solutions in planning processes. This initiative aims not only to improve practices in road construction, but also to strengthen the role of advisers in the transition towards a greener future.

Four strategies

Ketil Søyland, Project Director Sustainability at Norconsult, gave a presentation on early stage planning and showed in particular four strategies advisors can use to improve projects:

• Optimization to reduce material use and transportation needs

• Reduction of scope by building simpler or smaller

• Deviate, innovate and challenge current regulations

• Innovation, new methods, materials and technology

“Sustainability must be weighted in absolutely all phases of a project, and interdisciplinary cooperation is what enables us to innovate,” Søyland said during the gathering.

Use the subject

About 30 counsellors gathered in Sandvika to share experiences, explore the space of possibilities and discuss challenges. Current issues discussed were:

• What are we successful at today?

• What barriers stop new sustainable solutions and methods?

• How can the competitive base be sharpened to increase the use of new sustainable solutions and methods in public procurement?

• How can consulting engineers help to adopt new solutions and methods?

Lawyer and partner in Grette AS, Jørgen Aardalsbakke, challenged the assembly on how to work with climate, environment and sustainability from a legal perspective, and showed that it is especially in the areas of zoning plans, description, contract requirements and award criteria that advisers can make a difference in road projects.

— Start with the big drivers and teach the builder how to facilitate innovative solutions. Through the professional assessments, the advisors can make a real difference, and then also make the entrepreneur better. It is important to use the expertise that exists, and the advisors must dare to use the subject, Aardalsbakke said.

Collaboration

The event was organized by Konnekt, Green Construction Sector and the partners in the Green Platform project Sustainable value chain and material use in road construction.

The project has a framework of NOK 125 million and will test at least 10 different pilots with new, sustainable materials and solutions for use in road bodies, tunnels and road structures. The goal is to cut indirect emissions in construction projects by at least 50%, as well as to remove the barriers that stop the transition to a greener and more sustainable road construction.

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