A Call for Whole-of-Life Assessment and Innovative Design Solutions
By Farid Khayyer, Principal Geotechnical and Pavements Engineer – Tonkin+Taylor
Australia’s transport infrastructure is evolving rapidly, with sustainability now a crucial factor in project planning and execution. To achieve meaningful progress, a comprehensive approach is essential—one that integrates Whole-of-Life (WoL) assessment to deliver more sustainable design solutions. While the benefits of WoL assessment are well-established, its application in major projects is often inconsistent. By prioritising WoL assessment, especially during the tender phase, we can make more informed decisions that support long-term sustainability and cost-efficiency.
The Importance of Whole-of-Life Assessment
The Whole-of-Life (WoL) approach aims to ensure that an asset performs effectively with minimal costs over its entire lifespan. This is achieved by integrating alternative options and analysing their costs during the Project Planning, Design, and Construction phases. Unlike the traditional “business as usual” (BAU) approach, WoL needs to be embedded in the project methodology from the outset. It serves as a decision-making tool to identify design options that provide the best value throughout the asset’s life.
WoL assessment evaluates the total cost and environmental impact of a project from construction through to maintenance and eventual decommissioning. This approach allows for a more accurate comparison of design options, taking into account not just initial construction costs but also long-term benefits and savings. Despite its recognised importance, WoL assessment is frequently overlooked or undervalued during the tendering process, leading to decisions based mainly on upfront costs rather than long-term value.
Integrating WoL assessment into infrastructure planning offers several advantages:
- Informed Decision-Making: By considering the long-term performance and maintenance needs of various design options, stakeholders can choose solutions that offer the best value for money and environmental benefits over the project’s lifecycle.
- Enhanced Sustainability: WoL assessments help identify design options that minimise environmental impact, reduce resource consumption, and lower carbon emissions.
- Improved Budgeting: Understanding the full cost implications of different design solutions can lead to more efficient resource allocation and avoid unexpected future expenses.
The WoL approach can’t be retrofitted at the end of the design phase or post-procurement during construction. It needs to be an integral part of the project methodology to ensure that the best value design options are selected. Despite being a relatively new concept for many project teams, the challenge lies in educating design and construction teams to manage WoL costs while considering environmental and social sustainability.
Components of Whole-of-Life Costs
WoL costs encompass all expenses related to an asset throughout its life, including:
- Useful Life: The expected productive period of the asset.
- Capital Costs: One-off expenses for purchasing, installing, or constructing the asset.
- Operational Costs: Day-to-day running costs, such as water and energy consumption.
- Maintenance Costs: Recurring expenses to ensure continuous asset availability.
- Replacement and Disposal Costs: Costs associated with replacing asset components over time.
- Decommissioning and Disposal Costs: Expenses for safely decommissioning and disposing of the asset.
Taking WoL impacts into account can provide significant additional value through innovative design and long-term cost savings. WoL assessments typically adhere to relevant design standards and codes, ensuring compliance and quality. This approach focuses on the most impactful aspects of a project, adding value without unnecessarily inflating planning and construction costs.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
As Australia advances towards a more sustainable and resilient transport infrastructure, adopting WoL assessment to deliver innovative and sustainable design solutions is crucial. By integrating WoL assessments into the tender phase, stakeholders can make informed decisions that prioritise long-term value and environmental sustainability. Exploring innovative design approaches and materials will further enhance the performance and sustainability of our transport network.
Embracing these forward-thinking practices will not only reduce the carbon footprint of our infrastructure projects but also ensure that Australia’s transport network remains robust, efficient, and sustainable for future generations. Industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders must work together to drive these changes and pave the way towards a greener and more resilient future.