Autodesk looking to play key role in the design, visualization and creation of futuristic rail networks across the MENA region

Leading company says BIM technology can help government entities, railway operators and construction companies developing rail networks of the future   Autodesk, a global leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, has expressed its intentions of playing a key role in the move to design, visualize and create futuristic rail networks across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The company further stressed that the presence of revolutionary Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology is expected to provide the region’s government entities, railway operators and construction companies with the much needed push in developing rail networks of the future. The statements were released by Autodesk today (March 8, 2016) at the opening of Middle East Rail 2016, the largest rail conference and expo in MENA and Central Asia, which will run until March 9, 2016 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC). The exciting two-day conference will feature keynotes, panel discussions and research sharing and will throw the spotlight on project updates with key government departments, railway operators and construction companies--giving a first look at 2016 tenders and an understanding of the techniques and technologies being implemented to build these futuristic networks. Recent industry reports have shown that MENA countries are all systems go with their plans to develop a strong passenger and freight transport network, which is ably reflected in the 16 major railway projects worth USD 352 billion that are currently under way in the region. Industry experts have pointed out that current market conditions are a great opportunity for international rail suppliers to enter the market especially now that governments are diversifying their resources and placing more emphasis on projects that are not oil-related. In line with this, transport and logistics sectors are playing an increasingly important role in the region's economies. Governments are now looking towards innovative technologies to boost economic sectors that will boost intra-regional trade and tourism activities. “Government entities in the MENA region are now investing heavily in the efforts to develop transport infrastructure for the citizens and their economy. One particular mode of transport that they are looking to modernize is rail,” said Louay Dahmash, Head of Autodesk Middle East. “Over the last few years, we have pioneered and championed the concept of BIM and we believe our participation at this year’s conference will highlight how BIM solutions can contribute towards the development and design of new railway projects. Autodesk’s BIM technology can help the Middle East rail industry reduce risk and deliver more successful and profitable projects, thereby strengthening and positioning the region as one of the world’s leading innovation hubs for sustainable transport infrastructure.” Autodesk senior executives have shared the key benefits and advantages to be gained from using BIM for these modern rail projects. One advantage is the ability to meet project timing and sustainability expectations as BIM can help rail owners, engineering service providers, and contractors access, integrate, and analyze information more holistically to increase productivity and improve the way they plan, build, and manage projects. Another advantage is the provision of a more comprehensive and accurate view of the project. utilizing BIM can result in evaluating alternatives faster and create simulations and visualizations for faster approvals. It can also improve communication by creating a central point to help global field teams manage data, keep track of quality, check adherence to standards, and document projects. Middle East rail 2016 is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and H.E. Dr. Abdulla Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Public Works and Chairman of the Federal Transport Authority - Land & Maritime. During the event, Michael Stangl, Senior Director Global Services, Autodesk Consulting, and Neil Brooker, Technical Specialists Manager – EMEA, Autodesk, will deliver presentations on the impact of BIM with respect to ‘Time, Cost, and Quality’ on rail projects and the ‘Future of Rail’, which talks about how the use of BIM solutions and specific Autodesk Rail solutions, can transform the way railways are planned, designed, built and managed. “Autodesk’s railway solutions help users in station design, railway project planning, rail track design, platform design and station placement. The use of BIM will allow key advantages like visualizing the entire project, improved construction coordination and clash detection. Users can access, integrate, and analyze information to generate preliminary layouts of railway system corridors and railway project visualizations. The solution further enables owners, operators and consultants to meet BIM objectives required on rail and infrastructure projects, enabling the sharing of information across multiple disciplines,” concluded Dahmash.