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

  • Success of toll road operators' conference
    July 12, 2012
    The 37th ASECAP Annual Study and Information Days held in Krakow, Poland, gathered some 300 road transport CEOs, experts and government decision-makers making the event "a huge success." Patrick Smith reports Toll road operators from across Europe have met to discuss the state of their businesses in the current economic climate and how to tackle it. Fabrizio Palenzona, the outgoing President of ASECAP (the European professional Association of Operators of Toll Road Infrastructures) and president of AISCAT (
  • Russia new programme for developing high-speed roads
    January 14, 2019
    Russia has approved a new state programme for the development of its high-speed road network – Eugene Gerden reports The Russian government has officially approved a new state programme, which is aimed at developing the federal high-speed road network in the country. This programme will run until 2030, according to recent statements by the official state press-service. According to some leading Russian experts in the roadbuilding sector, the need to implement these plans is acute. At present the tota
  • Compaction control boosts efficiency
    April 13, 2012
    Effective compaction control is one of a series of technical innovations boosting performance efficiency – Mike Woof writes. Maximising compaction efficiency can be a major cost factor on construction projects. Both for soil and asphalt compaction sectors, the risk from leaving an area under or over-compacted is substantial.
  • Researchers trial 3D printing for both concrete and asphalt roads
    February 27, 2019
    Automated road repairs, using 3D printing, could save money and vastly reduce disruption, and researchers are already showing it’s possible - Kristina Smith reports It’s the middle of the night, and in the street below a team is busy carrying out repairs to the road surface. But there isn’t a human in sight. A road repair drone has landed at the site of a crack and a 3D asphalt printer is now busy filling in that crack. A group of traffic cone drones have positioned themselves around the repair location