Linking Rail Disciplines and Industries for Catenary Design with C3D and Inventor | Presentation
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Design & Make the Future of Rail
RS25 27 - Linking Rail Disciplines and Industries for Catenary Design with Civil 3D and Inventor
2025
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Gregory Hager
Speaker Biographies - GFT & Autodesk
Beth Uczynski
Dana Judge
Beth holds an Associate’s Degree in Architectural Engineering and brings over twenty years of experience to the AEC industry. As a Digital Delivery Leader for Transit and Rail, Beth supports BIM management, data management, and
implementation, helping professionals leverage new technology to optimize project outcomes. Since 2005, Beth has trained and supported Autodesk users
while working with various architecture, engineering, and construction firms. She is dedicated to improving workflows and believes that effective use of emerging BIM and data management technologies increases value and minimizes waste
throughout every phase of a project.
Dana brings more than 30 years of experience in the AEC industry and holds a B.A. in Geography from the University of New Hampshire. As a Principal Business Consultant at Autodesk, she leverages her experience
with the Civil Infrastructure toolset to help organizations advance their BIM for Infrastructure and Digital Delivery capabilities.
Over the past four years, Dana has partnered closely with GFT’s Digital Delivery team on a range of Transit and Rail initiatives, guiding the
adoption of 3D workflows that enhance project coordination, quality, and deliverable efficiency. Her deep understanding of digital design
processes and her collaborative approach have been instrumental in enabling teams to transition seamlessly from traditional 2D methods to data-driven 3D project delivery.
Greg brings over 15 years of experience in the AEC industry, with focus in the Transit & Rail industry. At GFT, Greg is the Design Technology Manager within the Transportation Business Group specializing in design drawing production
and document management. Greg holds a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Management and an Associated Degree in Architectural and Engineering
Technology.
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GFT Merger
Gannett Fleming and TranSystems merger official as of 4/28/2025
Markets:
Civic Life Sciences
Education Power & Energy
Federal Transportation
Industrial Water Resources
Transportation
Aviation Roadways
Bridges & Tunnels Tolling
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Transit & Rail
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Catenary Design Drawings Overview
STRUCTURAL
ERECTION
DIAGRAMS
ASSEMBLY DETAILS
WIRING PLANS
WIRE PROFILES
SECTIONALIZING
BILL OF MATERIALS
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Wiring Plan Example
(1) to (3) files
Includes:
o Catenary Wires
o Ancillary Wires
o Structures
o Down Guy Anchors
o Insulators
Data derived from LiDAR, Field surveys, Photographs,
As-built Information
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Structure Example
(1) file per Structure
Includes:
o Catenary Assemblies
o Steel
o Small Part Steel
o Bill of Materials
Data derived from LiDAR, Field Survey, Field
Photographs
Utilizes a Dynamic Block library
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Profile Example
(1) file per Wire Run
Includes:
o Wires
o Hanger lengths and spacing
information
o Insulators
o Structure spacing
Data derived from LiDAR survey, Field Survey, Field
Photographs, As-Built
Information
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Dynamic Blocks Catalog
Dynamic Blocks
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Current Workflows
Automation
Dynamic Blocks
LISP Routines
Macros
Scripts
Excel Functions
...
… but the data still lives in a 2D environment!
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Design Workflow & Products
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Catenary Components to Civil 3D Design Objects
Anchoring Structure
Suspension
Assembly Cable Network
Rails and Insulators
Ducting Network
Power Substations
Railway
Electrification
System
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Catenary Components to Civil 3D Design Objects
Anchoring Structure Suspension
Assembly Cable Network
Alignment Connection
o Placement
o Perpendicular
Groups
o Structure Types
o Consistent connections
defined by catenary span
Multiple Components
o Alignment
o Parameters
o Interact
Sectional
o Perpendicular plane
Network
o Connection points
o Line segments
o Part mounting
Catalog of Parts
o Position and electrification
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Anchoring Structure = Sample Lines
Parent Alignment
o Perpendicular plain
Sample Line Groups
o Multiple groups on one alignment
o Group labels (anchoring styles)
Sample Line
o Multiple Vertexes (single, portal or custom)
o Locked to station (design & existing situation)
Catenary Property Sets
o Individual catenary sample line properties
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Suspension Assembly = Assembly & Corridor
Custom subassembly
o Link to Catenary Sample Line
Versatile Utility
o Assembly configuration
o 2D/3D section geometry
o Integrated dimensioning
Innovative configuration
o Stand alone subassemblies
o Modular framework (LEGO)
o Fusion of geometry and styles
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Cable Network = Pressure Network
Catenary Corridor
o Contact and Messenger points
Span Calculations
o Excel to Dynamo
Catenary Catalog
o Small general shapes
o Network configuration
Part Mounting
o Placed on the network (appurtenance)
o Reference Alignment
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3D Model and Drafting Strategy
Civil 3D and AutoCAD Inventor
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Strategy Learnings
New for Civil 3D (or not)
- UI and workflows do not align (design core does)
- Linear to singular modeling (both section based)
- Mixing geometry and styles (already there)
Implementation potential
- Elevating CAD content to C3D
- Bringing rail disciplines together in C3D
- Accessing all capabilities that already exist in C3D
Partnership
- Joined team of GFT and Autodesk experts
- For every obstacle, we quickly found a solution
- Supporting both the now, tomorrow and the future
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Project Timeline
Requirements Requirements
Catenary
Proof Of Concept (2024-2025)
Content Creation
QA/QC Template
Pilot Project
General use
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GFT Offices / Change Management
Thank You!
Contact Information:
Greg Hager at ghager@gftinc.com
Beth Uczynski at buczynski@gftinc.com
Dana Judge at dana.judge@autodesk.com
mailto:ghager@gftinc.com mailto:buczynski@gftinc.com mailto:dana.judge@autodesk.com
Default Section Slide 1 Slide 2: Speaker Biographies - GFT & Autodesk Slide 3: GFT Merger Slide 4: Catenary Design Drawings Overview Slide 5: Wiring Plan Example Slide 6: Structure Example Slide 7: Profile Example Slide 8: Dynamic Blocks Catalog Slide 9: Current Workflows Slide 10: Design Workflow & Products Slide 11: Catenary Components to Civil 3D Design Objects Slide 12: Catenary Components to Civil 3D Design Objects Slide 13: Anchoring Structure = Sample Lines Slide 14: Suspension Assembly = Assembly & Corridor Slide 15: Cable Network = Pressure Network Slide 16: 3D Model and Drafting Strategy Slide 17: Strategy Learnings Slide 18: Project Timeline Slide 19: GFT Offices / Change Management Slide 20: Thank You!