Session Description
As demand for energy, transportation, and critical infrastructure accelerates worldwide, IA practitioners face increasing pressure to deliver studies that are both rigorous and timely. The challenge is to find smarter ways to produce high-quality assessments, improve decision-making, strengthen stakeholder confidence, and reduce delays without compromising scientific rigor. This session will explore innovations that are helping transform the planning and assessment of transmission lines, highways, railways, and renewable energy corridors. Drawing on lessons learned from recent projects around the world, speakers will share practical experiences using new technologies, methodologies, and collaborative approaches to improve efficiency, reduce uncertainty, enhance engagement, and accelerate assessment processes while maintaining or improving, study quality. The session will begin with a series of presentations, with each speaker showcasing one innovation that delivered tangible results. The discussion will then shift into an interactive Innovation Speed Dating format designed to maximize audience engagement and knowledge exchange. Each speaker will answer 1 or 2 questions: What innovation created the greatest value? How did it help improve efficiency or reduce timelines? What innovation failed to meet expectations? What obstacle nearly stopped implementation? What surprised you most? What lesson should others steal? What innovation will define the next decade of impact assessment? Discover breakthrough ideas, unexpected failures, and real-world lessons learned from recent projects. Learn how emerging technologies and innovative approaches can deliver better IA.
Session Summary
From breakthrough ideas to lessons learned, explore the innovations reshaping linear infrastructure assessment. Hear practitioners share real experiences, then join an interactive Innovation Exchange to uncover the tools, technologies, and approaches delivering better, faster, and more efficient assessments.
Session Chair
Annie Prince
Hydro-Québec
Canada