Bentley Eyes Major Rail Projects In GCC States

Rail industry is taking shape in the Gulf region and Bentley Systems is actively pursuing major projects including the $40 billion Qatar Railway development to provide its innovative software solutions and services, its top official said.

The US-based company said its software solutions have been actively utilised in most of the rail projects in this region across various project phases, however the firm is willing to offer its products to region’s power generation sector and multi-billion dollar newly developed nuclear industry in GCC.

“Yes, we have already introduced Bentley’s nuclear operations software products in UAE. We are closely working with nuclear companies in UAE and assessing their engineering configuration management requirements. Our response to these will include our AssetWise for Nuclear Operations software products,” Malcolm Walters, chief operating officer and senior vice-president of Bentley System Incorporated, told Khaleej Times in an interview during his recent visit to Dubai.

Bentley is the leading software solution provider to various industries. The company is dedicated to providing architects, engineers, geospatial professionals, constructors, and owner-operators with comprehensive software solutions for sustaining infrastructure. Founded in 1984, Bentley has grown to nearly 3,000 colleagues in more than 45 countries and over $500 million in annual revenues. Since 2003, the company has invested more than $1 billion in research, development, and acquisitions.

Walter said Bentley solutions have been actively utilised in most (if not all) of the rail projects in this region across various project phases – from the early stages of feasibility studies, through planning, preliminary and detailed design, and into construction.

“Our plan is to extend the benefits of Bentley’s rail solution to the operations and maintenance phases as well.”

In reply to a question about the company’s proactive 3D rail design and maintenance software solution implementation in GCG, he said Bentley provides integrated 3D rail design software for a variety of disciplines in rail infrastructure planning, design, and construction. These offerings include tools for track design and yard layout, signaling, and overhead line (OLE)/traction power supply as well as construction simulation.

“Bentley combines expert rail knowledge and software development to deliver business-critical tools for the short-term and long-term needs of the rail industry. These tools are already in use in most of the rail projects in the region and are increasingly becoming an integral part of the rail industry’s engineering workflows.”

Elaborating, he said the users of Bentley’s 3D rail design software in this region fall into two categories: owner-operators and engineering consultants/contractors. Among these are the Roads and Transport Authority, National Transport Authority, Saudi Railways, and Ministry of Municipalities and Urban Planning in Qatar.

“Nearly all international engineering consultants working in the region, as well as the major regional consultants and the design/build contractors, are users of Bentley’s rail solution. Major worldwide projects include Crossrail, High Speed 2, and Network Rail in London, to name just a few,” he said.

In reply to a question that Bentley is interested in offering its rail design/maintenance software solutions to Dubai Metro or Etihad Rail, he said: “Absolutely! Bentley’s rail design software is already actively used by the relevant engineering consultants and contractors in these projects.”

“There are many other major infrastructure projects in the region that Bentley is actively pursuing, including, for example, the Qatar Railway project, the world’s largest rail design and construction project about to kick off in Doha, Qatar. With the projected spend estimated to be over $40 billion during the next 8-10 years, it is fair to say that we foresee many of our existing users bidding for work packages as they are let.” Power generation, infrastructure

Walter said Bentley’s industry-proven power generation solution is used extensively worldwide. It includes an engineering information system that provides a digital representation of the physical plant, as well as unique nuclear quality assurance and reporting software.

“The solution addresses the creation and management of the digital representation of the physical plant throughout the facility lifecycle. This solution is being offered to several of our users in the Middle East.”

To a question about software solutions to infrastructure projects, he said Bentley offers PowerCivil for Middle East for road design and construction and the solution offers the best technology available for completing 3D civil design for road, site and drainage.

Referring to another solution, Power Rail Track, he said it is a comprehensive application for preliminary and detailed 3D design of rail infrastructure and it delivers significant productivity improvements, helping teams improve quality, reduce rework, and meet project deadlines.

“PowerCivil for Middle East and Power Rail Track allow owner-operators, designers, and constructors of road and rail networks to easily exchange data and other information,” he said.

He said Bentley users and projects in the Middle East have been well represented with organisations including Larson & Toubro ECC Ltd on the Shaikh Khalifa Interchange Project in Abu Dhabi, Professional Engineering Consultants Ltd on the Khatib Office Complex in Jordan, Khatib & Alami Consolidated Engineering on the North-South Railway in Saudi Arabia, Parsons Corporation on Saadiyat Island Infrastructure in Abu Dhabi, and High Point Rendel Ltd on the Shaikh Zayed Bridge, again in Abu Dhabi, to name just a few.

Khaleej Times