On track for efficient delivery

All design elements and workflows were integrated to one digital modelling platform, allowing the team to make changes to the overall project with one click. Compared to the multiple steps and 20 minute-effort it used to take, just to change the sign on a signal for example.

Ramboll’s rail design team were able to reduce the work time with 440 hours, using this new approach. Basically, they were able to complete the job twice as fast, compared to the conventional designing.

The project for Bane NOR included 2.2 kilometres of rail tracks and two different rail depots. All in all, the project comprised the design of both railways, signals, catenaries, noise barriers and bridges.

Improved evaluation and cocreation process with clients

Traditionally design of railway tracks is split into two overarching steps: first, a project design outline is set up, which includes the basic idea of what the clients wants to do. When this is approved, the project team produces comprehensive design drawings for each project element, which detail exactly what will be built and how it will be done.

This approach has been in use – and worked well – for years. But rigid processes and many manual tasks are a challenge: making changes to the design along the way is time-consuming and it requires multiple steps to calculate and visualise the effects of one design change on the overall project.

These speed-bumps significantly impact the efficiency of the work. However, Ramboll’s new approach provides a solution. Using parametric design modelling as the underlying basis, we can integrate all project workflows into one streamlined digital platform and automate a lot of the manual tasks.

“This is a win-win for both sides. A great deal of time was saved for each discipline, and we delivered an even better design to Bane NOR. Now we have the process and method in place to replicate for all our clients”, says Mantas Smidtas, Technology Leader at Ramboll.