© 2024 Autodesk. All rights reserved.

Rail Summit 2024 Make the Future of Rail

MAKE THE FUTURE OF RAIL

© 2024 Autodesk. All rights reserved.

Next-Gen BIM Tools for Railway Design at SBB

Swiss Quality meets Innovation:

Daniel Spahr Hu Zhao

13.11.2024 Copenhagen

3

• Who we are and where we come from • BIM@SBB - a short introduction • Our top priority • Next-Gen BIM Tools: BIM-Stack

Agenda.

Who we are and where we come from

Speaker

− Member of the Art-Solution with focus on engineering- and BIM- tools

− Skilled engineer surveyor − Over 14 years experience in public transportation

Product Manager

Daniel Spahr

Speaker

− Product Owner for BIM Solutions − Lead years of BIM research − Participated in mutiple BIM projects − Managed a DevOps team of 15-20 people − Represents Switzerland in CEN Technical Committee for BIM

(CEN/TC 442)

Product Owner (SAFe) BIM PhD ETH Zürich

Hu Zhao

Overview SBB route network

7

Passenger Services

Production

7889 trains/day

Passenger Services

Markets

1.34 m. passengers/day

Real Estate

3,500 buildings

Infrastructure

3,266km of network

Group-Level Units: Information Technology (1464 FTE), Human Resources (768 FTE),

ohter group-level units (682 FTE), Subsidiaries (2213 FTE)

11 300 3970 1110 10 100 3380

5130

Freight Services

175,000 tonnes of

freight per day

As an integrated railway, we get Switzerland moving – every single day

SBB is the backbone of mobility in Switzerland

Source: SBB Historic

BIM@SBB a short introduction

Why is SBB investing in BIM?

11

8

Hydroelectric plants

10 060

Infrastructure employees

3500

Buildings

2000

Construction projects/year

806

Stations

4925

Bridges

36 288

Signals for train operation

3266 km

Routes managed

311

Rail Tunnels

Together with external partners, SBB plans, constructs and operators all types of buildings and facilities for various uses and depends on resilient data over the entire lifecycle for stable operation.

https://reporting.sbb.ch/en/home

https://reporting.sbb.ch/en/home

12

11 «BIM benefit fields» have been

defined for BIM. Three of these are

crucial:

• Integrated project planning and

modelling

• Use of standard objects

• Automated handover

BIM@SBB ensures that the

aforementioned BIM benefit fields

are made available to SBB

infrastructure projects.

The BIM benefit fields

Cost transparency and cost control

Integrated project planning and modelling

Use of standard objects

Mechanical plant monitoring

Schedule security

Digital approval process

Submission

Digital conformity check

Digital construction

Automated handover

Training employees

Model the same

Goal: Common object library

Definition, translation of data requirements and

modelling of commonly used components in an open

and non-discriminatory format such as IFC;

interchange with each other and provision to the

industry

Six-point plan for a joint approach to the introduction of the BIM method

13

The same approach

Goal: common vision and roadmap

Mutual provision of the necessary foundations with

regard to roadmaps and target images in order to

challenge each other and learn from each other in

strategic topics.

Understand the same

Goal: Common language (glossary)

Establishment of a unified glossary with all relevant

BIM terms of building construction and infrastructure at

national level with the normative institutions (sia, crb)

and use or reference to it in the standard documents;

coordination with associations and federations

Map the same in data terms

Goal: Common data model

Joint development of a consolidated data model for

building construction and infrastructure based on

existing findings in the working group with respective

mirroring in the individual companies; definition of data

fields and attributes

Investigate the same

Goal: Common use cases

Consider mutual experience in the assessments of the

business use cases with regard to BIM use and

requirements from the business and testing in ongoing

construction projects.

Order the same

Goal: Common procurement principles Joint development of ordering principles and guidelines for

building construction and (railway) infrastructure with regard

to the use of BIM for projects, including the associated

training of employees in its use.

Roadmap BIM-implementation

14

Roadmap BIM projects

15

2025 …2026 2027

B IM

p ro

je c te

C o n ve

n ti o n a l p

ro je

c ts

ca. 65 projects (pre-project)

…

x projects (pre-project)

…

x projects (pre-project)

…

conventional projects

conventional projects

conventional projects

x projects (pre-project)

conventional projects

16

October 2024

- 110 infrastructure projects

ongoing.

- 305 Use Cases tested

Where we apply BIM

Immobilien

Infrastruktur

Mischprojekte

Our top priority.

Let’s get back to business

18

Swiss Punctuality at SBB

Ensuring that each and every one of our customers arrives at their destination safely and on time is our top priority.

link

https://company.sbb.ch/en/the-company/responsibility-society-environment/customers/punctuality.html

19

Swiss Quality to ensure the Punctuality

The high quality of the infrastructure ensures that SBB trains are on time.

Behind the punctuality of Swiss watches are «their precision, reliability, and high-quality craftsmanship»

20

SBB Infrastructure

Infrastructure We are the backbone of Switzerland with firm control of the railways.

10,000 SBB Infrastructure staff help bring 1.25 million passengers and 250,000 tonnes of goods to their destination safely, on time and in comfort. Every day, round the clock, now and in the future.

BIM-Stack – our Solution

Next-Gen BIM tools

BIM-Stack

22

BIM Planertool

Project-CDE BIM Anwendertool Fachdatenkatalog Objektkatalog EIR

IFC

BIM-Stack

For the past 3 years, we have been developing the technology stack (BIM- Stack) for the future engineering and construction of SBB's infrastructure.

BIM-Stack is designed as an integrated solution to meet the needs of SBB users as owners, planers and asset managers.

(Of course, it will provide higher performance in 3D modelling, digitalization, automation, interoperability, data consistency and efficient collaboration, which are essential in BIM workflows.)

Strategie 1: implementing new technologies

23

IFC

Plugins

BIM Planertool ( for Alignment, Track, Overhead Contact Line, Signaling)

BIM Content Management System

AIM-CDE

Exchange Information Requirement Tool

BIM data catalog (data dictionary)

24

Strategie 2: Standing on the shoulders of giants

GIS Platform «RIS» Axis Designer «TopoRail» Section designer for OCS «FACDA»

Track Designer (Project Editor)

overhead catenary system (OCS)

SBB new railway Topology (ITOP)

CDE-overview.

25

C o n s tr

u c ti o n p

ro je

c t e n v ir o n m

e n t

S B

B D

a ta

e n v ir o n m

e n t

Construction phase plan.

Data quality checking

Cost planning

Project-CDE (Planner) optional

Object library

Internal Tools

Plug-in Geo Plug-in FB Plug-in FS Plug-in KAB Plug-in SAZ

FDK

«EIR-Tool»

Other tools extern

GIS Inventary Topology …

…

Internal Tools for

Attribute models

Finance / Controlling / Logistics

Projekt-CDE SBB

AIM-CDE

Material3D-Geometry

Plannertools extern

Standard BIM-Tools

Collision checking

Maturity Competence Organisational Goals

Business Continuity-1 Psychological barrier

Build up ordering competence0 SBB as client

Model-based collaboration1 Projectworkflow

Be able to evaluate and assess model quality2 Integration

Be able to produce models yourself3 Process projects

Be able to reuse model data4 Networks

Optimise workflows5 Performance

Example Project for Zürich airport

26

High Quality in information exchange

BIM-Stack provides:

SBB BIM Data catalog (Fachdatenkatalog)

28

Fachdatenkatalog BIM@SBB

https://fdk.app.sbb.ch/

EIR Tool for Exchange Information Requirement

29

BIM Content Library

30

Seamless data exchange with REST APIs

BIM-Stack provides:

32

Aerial map with 3cm accuracy Thanks to the data delivery of SBB-Image from the G-Sharp platform, we can get the aerial map with an accuracy of 3cm in Civil 3D.

33

Axes can be imported accurately Wir have built a Plugin on civil3D called GMC (Gematic Model Creator).With GMC, the existing axes within any region of the SBB infrastructure can be accurately imported.

34

Seamless Entities The axes can be imported with seamless entities of alignments, profiles and cants. In the project explorer we can see all of these entities. The accuracy is 0.1mm.

35

Axes in projects and phases The axes in projects, which can be new, temporary and demolished, have different color code in SBB, can also be imported. Now we can compare, the axes are difference with the image: more axes will be built, and a turnout will be demolished.

High level of Automation

BIM-Stack provides:

37

How many steps do you need, to create a existing model of exsting conditions like this?

Less than 5: 1. create the Alignment 2. select the area 3. select all axes 4. creating 5. let’s see how it happens

38

Selection of Track systems We have built another tool for track system, called «Track n Turnout». The user can choose «existing» phase and select an area. Then the axes in this area will be shown on the UI, and he knows if they are already imported in Civil3D.

39

Model Creation of Track Systems The User can select the axes and validate the selection on the map. If he wants he can create the Track system model in Civil3D. 140 seconds later..... We can see that the rails, sleepers, and ballasts of the track and turnouts are created perfectly.

40

IFC 4x3 Export Thanks to the IFC 4.3 Extension for Autodesk Civil 3D, the created axes and track systems can be exported easily in IFC 4.3. The files can be opened in an IFC Viewer or an ACC Viewer.

41

Behind the Automation

BIM Content Library

Track N’ Turnout

REST API

Construction Algorithms

standard type parameters

Subassemblies Assemblies Reference lines Spacing Placement Roations Corridors

fully n-dimensional planning

BIM-Stack provides:

43

FLAP Introduction

Introduce: FLAP (Fahrleitungsanlagenplanung), A Tool/Plugin on Autodesk Revit for Overhead Catenary System (OCS) planning.

Proof of Concept in 2021

44

Dataflow OCS

Project-CDE

FLAP Services FLAP Design Automation for Civil3D

DWG JSON

GIS Inventory

JSON

BIM Content Library

REST API

GMC

Geomatics Engineer

OCS Engineer

shown aready

45

Rail Alignment in Revit With the help of «Design Automation for Civil 3D», we can import the axes from a Civil3D model in ACC directly to Revit.

46

Alignement in native Revit families As Revit doesn’t support alignment. We have built all geometries of an alignment in Revit families, so that we can use FLAP to calculate the position and stationing mathematically.

V1 PoC: CivilConnection Dynamo

V2: Civil3D Interop API

V3 (latest): Native Revit and .Net

2021

2023

2024

Profile: Line

Profile: Curve

Alignment: Spiral

Cant Station

Alignment: Line

Alignment: Curve

47

import existing model from inventory system We can now impot some existing model from the GIS system, for example masts and foundations. Along with the mast, the related section objects (we call them Visier) will be created automatically. The station values of the masts will be calculated and assigned to the family instances.

48

Creating overhead catenary system We can define the catenary systems by selecting start and end section. The messenger wires, droppers, and contact wires can be created easily.

49

Cantilever system The user can create accurate cantilever systems on the mast, with sugestions of FLAP, or only with some parameters.

50

Create new sections and masts We can plan a new section by selection with point on the axes. This works similar for more section with spacing. The masts can also be created one by one or together. The new objects of the projects will be shown in red.

51

Mast move along the axis We can move the masts along the axis by selecting a new reference point or giving a new station value.

52

Section(Visier) fine-tuning in 3D We can edit the visier in 3D with parameters, the geometry will get updated automatically.

53

Section views and sheets FLAP can create the section views and sheets easily by selecting the section (visier) objects. the cropbox will be calculated and annotations will be automatically placed.

54

Quantity Takeoff / cost estimation After the user has uploaded the model to ACC (Project-CDE), FLAP Webservices can reach the file, and estimate the quantity and cost of the whole project file. This function works for a section view similarly as well. We have built all logics in the BIM Content Library.

55

Behind the precise modeling and cost estimation To achieve precise modeling, we have integrated all engineering and mathematical rules into Revit families and our custom plugin. Additionally, construction rules and prices for building components, including the parts too small to model, are stored in the BIM content library, enabling accurate calculations.

56

Coordination Model We can make model coordination in Revit or in ACC after FLAP has created the model. This picture shows the result using the fresh Autodesk Data Exchange.

Summary and Outlook

58

Summary

- Introduced SBB and the implementation of BIM at SBB.

- Showcased seamless interoperability with GIS systems using GMC in Civil3D.

- Demonstrated automated creation of railway track models using TNT in Civil3D.

- Illustrated the workflow for modeling and planning overhead catenary systems using FLAP in Revit.

- Overall, we have introduced you our next-gen BIM-Tools for railway design at SBB

59

Outlook

Planning functions such as material editing, object placement etc.

Support for more objecttypes

Automated IFC configuration

Better UX for OCS object import.

60

A special thank you to the Autodesk Consulting Group and the SBB account team for their best support!

Thank you!

Product Manager

daniel.spahr@sbb.ch

https://company.sbb.ch/

Daniel Spahr Product Owner BIM

hu.zhao@sbb.ch

https://company.sbb.ch/

Hu Zhao

Q&A

63

Model Creation of all Track Systems

Standardabschnitt Folie 1: Rail Summit 2024 Folie 2: Swiss Quality meets Innovation: Folie 3: Agenda. Folie 4: Who we are and where we come from Folie 5: Speaker Folie 6: Speaker Folie 7: Overview SBB route network Folie 8: As an integrated railway, we get Switzerland moving – every single day Folie 9: SBB is the backbone of mobility in Switzerland Folie 10: BIM@SBB a short introduction Folie 11: Why is SBB investing in BIM? Folie 12: The BIM benefit fields Folie 13: Six-point plan for a joint approach to the introduction of the BIM method Folie 14: Roadmap BIM-implementation Folie 15: Roadmap BIM projects Folie 16: Where we apply BIM Folie 17: Our top priority. Folie 18: Swiss Punctuality at SBB Folie 19: Swiss Quality to ensure the Punctuality Folie 20: SBB Infrastructure Folie 21: BIM-Stack – our Solution Folie 22: BIM-Stack Folie 23: Strategie 1: implementing new technologies Folie 24: Strategie 2: Standing on the shoulders of giants Folie 25: CDE-overview. Folie 26: Example Project for Zürich airport Folie 27: High Quality in information exchange Folie 28: SBB BIM Data catalog (Fachdatenkatalog) Folie 29: EIR Tool for Exchange Information Requirement Folie 30: BIM Content Library Folie 31: Seamless data exchange with REST APIs Folie 32: Aerial map with 3cm accuracy Folie 33: Axes can be imported accurately Folie 34: Seamless Entities Folie 35: Axes in projects and phases Folie 36: High level of Automation Folie 37: How many steps do you need, to create a existing model of exsting conditions like this? Folie 38: Selection of Track systems Folie 39: Model Creation of Track Systems Folie 40: IFC 4x3 Export Folie 41: Behind the Automation Folie 42: fully n-dimensional planning Folie 43: FLAP Introduction Folie 44: Dataflow OCS Folie 45: Rail Alignment in Revit Folie 46: Alignement in native Revit families Folie 47: import existing model from inventory system Folie 48: Creating overhead catenary system Folie 49: Cantilever system Folie 50: Create new sections and masts Folie 51: Mast move along the axis Folie 52: Section(Visier) fine-tuning in 3D Folie 53: Section views and sheets Folie 54: Quantity Takeoff / cost estimation Folie 55: Behind the precise modeling and cost estimation Folie 56: Coordination Model Folie 57: Summary and Outlook Folie 58: Summary Folie 59: Outlook Folie 60: A special thank you to the Autodesk Consulting Group and the SBB account team for their best support! Folie 61: Thank you! Folie 62: Q&A

Backup Folie 63: Model Creation of all Track Systems