Bentley Systems, Incorporated, the infrastructure engineering software company, has announced new AI capabilities for civil site design with the launch of its OpenSite+ platform. This tool is set to transform site design processes, automating repetitive tasks such as drawing production and layout optimisation, allowing engineers to focus on higher-value activities.
The announcement, made at Bentley’s annual Year in Infrastructure 2024 conference, marks a significant step forward for the application of generative artificial intelligence in infrastructure design. Building on Bentley’s experience with AI-powered digital twins in asset maintenance, OpenSite+ is designed to enhance the early stages of site development, delivering productivity gains and more accurate designs for residential, commercial, and industrial projects.
Introducing OpenSite+
OpenSite+ is the first engineering tool to use generative AI specifically for civil site design. Developed using Bentley’s iTwin platform, it provides AI-powered solutions for a variety of tasks, helping engineers streamline the entire design process. Among its key features are:
- Enhanced Design Experience with Copilot
Engineers can interact with the platform using natural language, which allows them to quickly create and modify requirements and 3D site models. This copilot functionality enables real-time design changes, offering precision and ease without needing to navigate complex technical interfaces. - Layout Optimisation
A standout feature of OpenSite+ is its ability to instantly evaluate thousands of layout options. By harnessing AI-driven earthwork optimisation, engineers can enhance efficiency, minimise errors, and rework site designs in minutes, all with a single click. This saves both time and money while improving the quality of design decisions. - Automated Drawing Production
The AI system significantly speeds up the process of producing drawings, with Bentley claiming it can accelerate output by up to ten times. Automated annotation, labelling, and sheeting ensure that labels and dimensions are placed according to industry standards, improving both accuracy and aesthetics. - Smart Design Tools
Engineers can create and modify intelligent objects like parking layouts, driveways, and sidewalks more quickly than traditional CAD software allows. This capability dramatically reduces project timelines while maintaining high levels of precision.
AI-Driven Efficiency
Mike Campbell, Chief Product Officer at Bentley Systems, highlighted the revolutionary impact of AI on infrastructure design. “Generative AI will transform the way engineers work by optimising their processes using past data. With OpenSite+, they can achieve a level of productivity and accuracy that was previously unimaginable,” Campbell said.
Pennoni, a North American engineering consultancy firm, has already embraced OpenSite+. Joe Viscuso, Senior Vice President and Director of Strategic Growth, praised the platform as a “game-changer” for the industry. “By integrating design and routine tasks into one powerful tool, OpenSite+ streamlines workflows and ensures real-time accuracy. This means faster project completion and superior results,” he said.
Next-generation infrastructure software
OpenSite+ is the first of Bentley’s new generation of Open Applications, designed for optimal responsiveness on desktops while providing cloud-based benefits such as automatic updates and cross-platform availability. Its iTwin-native architecture facilitates seamless collaboration, with all data saved directly to a digital twin. This enables full data-centric workflows and access to data from multiple sources to offer a complete context for design decisions.
Availability
OpenSite+ is currently available for early access to civil site engineering firms in North America. Bentley expects the software to revolutionise the infrastructure design process globally as it rolls out across other regions.
