Hi…

I am a director of a company (Westgate Ports) that has invested over $100 million in a project to
create a world class freight distribution network in the city of
Melbourne.  However, to realise its full potential we need the
co-operation of many many stakeholders.  I know that car companies use
simulations to engage all stakeholders and want to do the same in the
infrastructure space.

I gave
a keynote address at the 2010 spatial@gov conference in Canberra Australia to
500 international delegates, resulting in strong support for the concept of
'Virtual
Australia' (VA)… a 3D photo-realistic simulation of the natural and
built environment on all scales down to 2cm horizontal and 3 cm
vertical.  The spatial technology exists to capture this level of detail
economically for the whole city… however, the models created are essentially 'static'.

I want to combine the 'virtual' image
with the full simulation capability of Delmia… so we can simulate the
movement of ships, cranes, vehicles and freight (as well as energy flows) within our port
and along the road, rail and power networks.  Ideally, the simulated equipment
will be provided by the equipment supplier and simply 'plugged in' to
the VA world.  The idea is to have the 'virtual models' controlled by the software that will control the real equipment… based on actual transaction data.

I realise that such a full simulation is not yet possible… however, I'd like to talk with someone who can speak about (and demonstrate) the benefits of full scale simulation in
the design of parts, equipment, processes and factories… to reduce
total cost and time to build… while greatly improving the outcome…
by engaging all stakeholders throughout the design and build process. I'm hoping to incorporate a demonstration in an upcoming workshop in early December.

As a result of my presentation at the spatial conference, the Victorian State Government has agreed to host a one day workshop for around 60 CEO's and senior executives from the geo-spatial industry, government depts. involved in transport, infrastructure and city design, plus planners from local government, as well as stevedores, transport operators, engineering firms, equipment providers, asset managers, infrastructure builders, customs, etc. The purpose of the workshop is to look at what it will take to build VA.

The aim is to use the planned freight network as the pilot for
creating VA… to use it as a way of engaging all stakeholders to design
a world class freight distribution system for the City of Melbourne.