BIM for the Northern Hub ECS1 programme

The Northern Hub is a £530M programme of improvements to the rail network across the North of England that aims to deliver faster, more frequent, and more reliable services among the region's key towns and cities. The programme includes radical changes to the rail network around Manchester, including the new Ordsall Chord link between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria stations and new platforms at the major Manchester stations. Throughout the development of the programme, the design authority, Parsons Brinckerhoff, has been mandated by the client, Network Rail, to use a BIM approach in order to present the maximum opportunity to realise the benefits from the adoption of this approach throughout the asset lifecycle. The application of BIM techniques to an infrastructure project in the rail sector presents some similarities and some challenges compared with the building sector. Immediate benefits of adopting BIM have included: the production of efficient, coordinated designs; clear presentation of complex interfaces to a variety of stakeholders; and reduced trackside safety risks during the development period.