3D Repo develop virtual reality safety app for Balfour Beatty

3D Repo is working with contractors Balfour Beatty and Vinci and the UK roads agency Highways England to deploy a virtual reality simulation program for safety training. 3D Repo, a spin-off from University College London, develops open-source software for building information modelling in the cloud. More than 40 different 3D file formats are decomposed and federated in the company’s big data repository.
April 18, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Seeing is believing, and staying healthy: 3D Repo’s construction site simulation
3D Repo is working with contractors Balfour Beatty and 5177 Vinci and the UK roads agency 8100 Highways England to deploy a virtual reality simulation program for safety training


3D Repo, a spin-off from University College London, develops open-source software for building information modelling in the cloud. More than 40 different 3D file formats are decomposed and federated in the company’s big data repository.

The simulated program - part of the UK’s Smart Motorway programme – is a fully immersive simulation to prevent on-site accidents by making highways construction and maintenance projects safer through improved training. It features real world scenarios while the virtual experience gives users different perspectives of the same potentially dangerous situation in order to develop an understanding of safe working zones.  

“In order to demonstrate our understanding of our customers’ needs and facilitate the collaboration between our customers and their clients, we wanted to digitally transform our approach,” commented

Neil Thompson, head of digital research at 1146 Balfour Beatty, said that using a standard visual reality headset, the 3D Repo simulation provides multiple views of different scenarios. The user is immersed in a position relative to an activity, for example bank excavation, so they can examine both the worker’s as well as the plant driver’s visibility. The user can then position themselves where they think they are safe and switch to the plant operator’s position to understand what they would see.

All this is done within the safety of an office or training room and without the need for lengthy manuals, training sessions or specialist personnel. As the scenarios are hosted online, the system can be set up easily from any location and can be deployed across numerous sites at the same time.

“Upon login, users can access all their projects remotely on the fly and without the need to create custom executables each time,” said Jozef Dobos, chief executive of 3D Repo. “We also utilise existing site-specific 3D models and building information modelling (BIM) data so that custom scenarios can be created and uploaded as and when needed.”

Road Markings, Barriers & Workzone Protection

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Data handling for efficient machine control
    October 16, 2012
    The rapid increase in information availability is transforming the construction sector. Conventional methods used for sourcing geographic data based on maps and localised sampling meant that there was often a lack of accurate information relating to ground conditions at specific areas where work was planned, often resulting in unwelcome surprises for construction companies along with additional costs for projects.
    Read More
  • Use 3D modelling to advance sustainable highway construction best practices
    April 30, 2025
    When it comes to advancing highway sustainability, the role of 3D modeling and digital technologies in road construction is becoming ever-more important. Anna Liza Montenegro, director of marketing at Microsol Resources explains why your business needs to get involved now.
    Read More
  • Advanced driving simulator developed by TRL
    July 4, 2018
    In the UK, TRL is introducing a sophisticated driving simulator that will help with developing transport infrastructure as well as research into driving. This advanced system is intended to assist in driving future transport policy, customer safety and road network performance. The new simulator can be used for behavioural research into driving and can be used as a validation tool. The complete simulator package features three main systems as it consists of the new full size DigiCar, a portable version (Mi
    Read More
  • CEA conference 2018 – focusing on technology solutions
    May 2, 2018
    New technology and reduced machine emissions were amongst the key topics at the CEA conference in London - Mike Woof writes. Construction machine manufacturers are going to have to find new solutions if targets on emissions controls are going to be met. This is a clear viewpoint for the industry. But as the speakers at the recent CEA conference in London showed, there are differing opinions on how that will be achieved and what technical solutions will come to the fore. Duncan Riding, business development
    Read More

Highlighted Content