Railway Track & Structures - September 2008 - (Page 66)

NEW MEXICO RAIL RUNNER There will be quiet zones at all crossings along the route. There are five stations under construction, parking lots and two pedestrian bridges. Estimated construction cost is approximately $120 million. bring up plans and view and critique them in different offices, in real time. “Our 3D model was instrumental to the team’s success,” said Tim Cobb, HNTB design manager. “We collaborated among all parties and identified solutions in real time before a design package was actually submitted to New Mexico DOT.” “The model, which uses Bentley InRoads software, allows people to see on-the-fly what the trackwork looks like at any given point in time,” said Kevin O’Connor, HNTB manager engineering/CADD applications. “The model helps us reduce design errors and identify conflicts that could impact construction costs and schedule. People can look at a screen and reach agreement on changes. Every element is interactive. For instance, if there are custom grading areas needed around bridges or other structures, the model can identify that right away. It can also identify conflicts before construction, such as drainage pipes. “The model can provide machinecontrolled grading as it is available immediately in the field,” O’Connor said. “As a by-product, it can be used to provide realistic images and videos and, with interactive controls, viewers can get the view down a slope, under a bridge and so on.” This was the first use of a 3D model in a rail project. The first use was a highway in Florida. Partnering Both HNTB and Kiewit New Mexico have done projects with NMDOT. The team’s philosophy in working with owners is to partner with them by holding working meetings to discuss design elements and other components necessary to deliver the project. When the pursuit phase was going on, there were six full-time-equivalent HNTB employees in New Mexico. That number increased to 40 on the first day after the team won the bid. People were drawn from eight HNTB offices, with 80 individuals involved at the peak. HNTB used a 3D modeling system in the bid process and after winning the project. With this system, the team could Challenges, innovations The tight schedule was not the only challenge in Phase 2. “There was a huge amount of work for the schedule,” said Kevin Swaving of Kiewit New Mexico. “We did all the grading ourselves, with the plan to double shift because of the amount of dirt to move. We also had 300,000 cubic yards of rock excavation rather than dirt excavation.” There’s a three-percent grade in the canyon and some steep ditch slopes, which could have caused problems. Precision Frog Grinder The Matweld PRECISION FROG GRINDER is a hydraulic powered, track mounted machine that has multiple axis adjustment enabling the operator to produce a consistent and precision grind to the rebuilding of any frog. The ability to grind while standing up has significant ergonomic advantages as well as keeping the operator away from the grinding dust. Contact us today to learn more about this product or to schedule a demonstration. Visit us at Booth 1201 632 South 3rd Street • P.O. Box 2816 Paducah, Kentucky 42001 • (270) 444-0085 Fax: (270) 443-6180 • www.matweld.com • customerservice@matweld.com 66 Railway Track & Structures September 2008 www.rtands.com http://www.rtands.com

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Railway Track & Structures - September 2008 Contents On Track Industry Today Supplier News AREMA News NRC News TTCI R&D Larry Etherton Rounds Out Successful Term as President of AREMA Remote Bridges Present Challenges New Mexico Rail Runner Express Making Tracks for Santa Fe Products and Literature People Calendar Sales Representatives Advertisers Index Website Directory Professional Directory Classified Advertising Chicago Perspective

Railway Track & Structures - September 2008

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