AECOM launches AI Innovation Centre in Singapore to transform underground infrastructure planning and design

This press release was issued by AECOM.

AECOM, the trusted global infrastructure leader, today announced the establishment of its Underground Infrastructure AI Innovation Centre in Singapore. This strategic investment, supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), underscores AECOM’s commitment to advance Singapore’s vision for smarter, more sustainable urban development by optimizing underground space.

Led by digital professionals with extensive experience in urban planning and infrastructure, the Centre will focus on developing AI-powered solutions to improve data quality, enhance the mapping of underground utilities and safeguard underground space for existing and future developments. The Centre will also collaborate with institutes of higher learning and engage with infrastructure industry partners and relevant agencies to leverage AECOM’s digital solutions for learning and skill enhancement opportunities.

The Centre is developing a suite of advanced software to automate and enhance underground utility design and survey workflows to reduce manual design checks, ensure timely regulatory approval and avoid project delays and abortive work. The digital tools are designed to systematically assess the accuracy of existing underground data, identify critical sections with severe space congestion and propose recommendations to optimize underground space usage. Key considerations such as constructability, maintainability and end-to-end feasibility are embedded into the tools. These innovations enable AECOM to streamline its work on utility corridor studies, which traditionally rely on numerous utility plans and trial trench reports. The efficiencies gained will ultimately benefit major infrastructure developments in Singapore.

The initiative aligns with AECOM’s global drive for technical excellence (TechEx), supported by programs that deliver innovative, high-quality solutions to meet the evolving needs of its clients and the industry. By investing in AI, geographic information systems (GIS) and advanced survey technologies, AECOM’s digital infrastructure delivery capabilities will be significantly enhanced. The Centre will also provide training and upskilling for digital-literate professionals and talent from various disciplines, with the aim of opening career paths in digitally empowered engineering.