Building Information Modelling (BIM) for Railway Design, Construction, Operation and Asset Management

In this presentation, Mr. Makwana gives an overview of Building Information Modeling (BIM), including the drivers for its global adoption, and its uses in the railway sector. He also presents a number of technology solutions for rail track systems, electrification, signalling and communications, as well as some implementation challenges regarding BIM.

Asset Management Digitalization: Key Transformations Introduced by Digital Technologies

In this presentation, Mr. Romei shares Systra's experience with asset digitalization, including the challenges involved and case studies that illustrate its successful implementation. He also emphasized the value of utilizing digital technologies such as big data and IoT, and integrated platforms to deliver solutions for asset digitalization and effective decision making.​

Infrastructure Sustainability: A Shift of Priorities Towards Lifecycle Cost and Maintenance

In this presentation, Mr. Leather cites inadequate financing support to develop high-quality, high-capacity transport infrastructure and services as a key contributing factor to the current infrastructure gap in Asia and the Pacific. He also emphasized the importance of rehabilitation, improved management, and maintenance in improving the region's railroad system standards and operations, as well as the changing areas for ADB assistance in the railway sector.​

Mingzhi Xu

Mingzhi Xu is an Assistant Professor at Peking University. In 2018–2019, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the National Bureau of the Economic Research and a visiting researcher at the Growth Lab of Harvard Kennedy School. He obtained the Ph.D. in economics from the University of California Davis.

Asia-Pacific Railway Innovations Forum 2019

The level of railway technology varies greatly throughout developing Asia and the Pacific but is often ancient in terms of railway infrastructures, systems, and rolling stock. New technologies in the digital sphere, from control systems to data gathering, create an immense opportunity, but at the same time, the agony of choice as countries must sort and prioritize which technologies are the most appropriate in their specific, national case.

Enhancing Linkages in City Regions: High-Speed Rail and Station Area Development

Countries in Europe and East Asia are expanding their high-speed rail (HSR) networks. Station areas served by HSR are emerging as new hubs of economic and cultural activities, thereby affecting the network of service sector industries in the HSR corridor. Over time HSR cities gain functional specialization, creating a polycentric regional form. The authors show that cities located on a proposed HSR corridor have a varied functional structure and established branch network of firms.