A Systematic Review of the Utilisation of Digital Technology in Infrastructure Sustainability Assessment

A comprehensive sustainability assessment is paramount for enhancing the sustainable outcomes of infrastructure projects. In New Zealand, all projects with a capital value of over $100 million are obliged to complete a sustainability assessment. However, the traditional human-intensive assessment process often proves to be time-consuming and costly, particularly when evaluating the sustainability of large-scale infrastructure projects. While emerging digital technologies have the potential to enhance sustainability outcomes, there is a lack of clarity on how digital technology can be effectively utilised to expedite the sustainability assessment process. This systematic study aims to address this gap by investigating the utilisation of digital technologies, including building information modelling, digital twins, drones, Internet of Things, or a combination thereof, in evaluating the sustainability performance of infrastructure projects. By conducting a thorough systematic review of academic literature, this research discusses the existing practice of integrating digital technology into infrastructure sustainability assessment. Additionally, through an in-depth scientometric analysis of global scientific research, this research provides insights into emerging trends and areas of focus in the fields of construction informatics and infrastructure sustainability assessment.