# Integration of BIM Tools for the Facility Management of Railway Bridges
## 6 Discussion  
### General Discussion  
This research shows the potential of the designed BIM/data automation as an initial step towards digital twins. This connection between a parametric BIM model and an automated data spreadsheet achieves an updated visual representation of the asset's condition, which facilitates informed decision-making and the planning of preventive maintenance  
Figure 14: Second part of the data import flow from MS Excel® to Revit®®, intelts of the piles. Figure 15: Visualization of an excerpt from the parametrized BIM model with the imported information. tasks. Therefore, this BIM/data automation would significantly improve the inspection and maintenance processes for railway bridges. One of the main contributions of this work is the integration of the parametrized BIM model with the automated data spreadsheet, which allows for clear visualization of the condition of each bridge element, thanks to the color changes generated automatically based on the severity level of the detected damages. This represents a substantial improvement compared to traditional visual inspection methods, which are subjective and prone to human error. It is worth noting that the inspection would still be visual, but the substantial difference is that now it could be carried out with the BIM model on-site, using software capable of visualizing it, where the reported damages of the elements would be selected along with the execution of the BIM/data automation to visualize the condition of the asset right there on-site, which generates a substantial improvement, as previously mentioned, compared to traditional methods. Another significant achievement of this work is the integration of information, which is normally dispersed across different sources, historically making efficient asset management difficult. By centralizing inspection data in a single data source, the risk of information loss is significantly reduced, and access to historical records is improved. Additionally, the intuitive visualization of the condition of each element through color changes in the BIM model allows for a quick and accurate assessment of the infrastructure. Another relevant aspect is the ability to perform preventive monitoring, in contrast to the reactive approaches of traditional inspection methods. By having an updated representation of the asset, professionals can anticipate and proactively address potential issues, even on-site when performing inspection tasks, thus avoiding higher costs associated with emergency repairs and/or maintenance. While the primary focus of this research has been on railway bridges, the principles and tools developed here are not limited to this specific type of infrastructure. Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Bridge Information Modeling (BrIM) methodologies have been successfully applied to a variety of other infrastructure projects, demonstrating their versatility and effectiveness. For instance, BIM has been widely used in the management of buildings, including residential, commercial, and industrial facilities, enhancing the efficiency of maintenance operations and lifecycle management [75; 76]. Similarly, the principles of BrIM can be extended to other types of large-scale infrastructure such as tunnels, dams, and highways, where the integration of 3D models and data management systems can significantly improve inspection, maintenance, and rehabilitation processes [77; 78; 79]. The concept of a digital twin, which underpins both BIM and BrIM, is also gaining traction in various sectors, including smart cities, where it is used for the management of urban infrastructure, energy systems, and utilities [80; 81]. By adopting these methodologies, facility managers across different sectors can benefit from improved data integration, visualization, and decision-making capabilities, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and sustainability of infrastructure management.