Qatar Rail has awarded Autodesk Inc a Building Information Modelling (BIM) services contract.

 Autodesk will provide BIM implementation, consultancy and advisory services towards the construction of a modern integrated railway network in the country. Eng Saad Ahmed Al Muhannadi, chief executive officer of Qatar Rail, and Callan Carpenter, vice president of Global Services, Autodesk, signed the contract.

Qatar Rail is responsible for the design, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of the entire rail network and systems within Qatar. The Gulf state is embarking on a momentous venture with the development of not one but four rail initiatives – to be known as The Qatar Rail Development Programme (QRDP).

“Qatar Rail chose Autodesk’s BIM solutions and expertise as part of its commitment to employ world-class technologies,” a statement said. “Autodesk’s consulting team will support Qatar Rail on the implementation of BIM technologies and practices to help decrease the overall time and costs of railway projects by minimising rework and miscommunication, providing more actionable insight into projects, and helping accelerate decision-making earlier into the project lifecycle.” 

Over the next three years, Qatar Rail will employ several services offered by Autodesk starting with the company’s expertise on BIM standards, quality control and integration across organisations. Autodesk will also implement a technology platform within Qatar Rail to train, support and collaborate with the company’s assigned staff for the railway project. Additionally, it will outline specific BIM standards and processes for the railway project that will serve as the foundation for BIM requirements and as a starting point for BIM implementations for future contracts.