Skip to main content

Germany to trial BIM approach in infrastructure

Germany’s Transport Ministry is to test Building Information Modelling (BIM) systems in two key infrastructure projects. The two pilot projects will be for the road and rail sectors. The technology provides a digital 3D model of the construction project which will allow for the planning, construction and usage of the project to be presented. The BIM system also incorporates deadline and cost planning aspects of construction projects. The German Transport Ministry aims to use the technology to uncover any co
October 22, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
Germany’s Transport Ministry is to test Building Information Modelling (BIM) systems in two key infrastructure projects. The two pilot projects will be for the road and rail sectors. The technology provides a digital 3D model of the construction project which will allow for the planning, construction and usage of the project to be presented. The BIM system also incorporates deadline and cost planning aspects of construction projects. The German Transport Ministry aims to use the technology to uncover any conflicts in the planning and construction of large projects, synchronise the time plans of various partner firms and improve control over project costs. This new trial is moving forward in a bid to regain ground in managing large infrastructure projects in Germany. The country has in the past been regarded as highly efficient when managing its infrastructure programme. However in recent times key German infrastructure projects such as the construction of the new Berlin airport terminal and the Stuttgart railway station have slowed to a crawl, with costs spiralling far beyond original expectations. Both projects are now far behind schedule and have proved highly embarrassing politically. Using BIM technology the Transport Ministry hopes to learn from expertise gained particularly in the UK with regard to managing complex infrastructure projects on time and within budget.

Related Content

  • Formwork innovations help bridge building
    July 7, 2015
    A series of formwork developments are helping with challenging bridge construction projects around the world - Mike Woof writes In the Polish city of Krakow, a cost-effective cable stayed bridge is being constructed using a balanced cantilever technique. The current expansion of the Krakow metropolitan railway network (KST) requires the building of a crossing of the Krakow-Plaszow railway junction. Ensuring that daily rail operations remained unaffected during the construction of the 252m long crossing w
  • Traffic control solution manufacturers win key project works
    September 26, 2013
    Traffic control system manufacturers have recently supplied some of their cutting-edge technology to major projects in Europe. Meanwhile, in southern Asia, another leading firm in the sector is helping reduce chronic traffic congestion in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta. Guy Woodford reports Solutions supplied by Siemens Mobility & Logistics (M&L) are helping the Rijkswaterstaat improve traffic conditions at the Coentunnel in Amsterdam, one of the most heavily used traffic arteries in the Netherlands, used
  • Innovations in machine control deliver efficiency
    November 9, 2020
    How far has machine control technology come and what does the future hold?
  • Safety measures aid workzone accident reduction
    February 20, 2012
    Everyone connected with the highway industry is involved in the efforts to cut down the number of work zone accidents. Patrick Smith reports. A few months ago, as road work resumed on America's highways and bridges, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called on drivers to use extra caution in work zones. At the same time he commended the success in reducing overall roadway fatalities in each of the last seven years.