Case Study: Network Rail delivers digital twins and cuts design time 50% with Bentley

Network Rail Initiates Signaling and Signage Works to Keep U.K. Rail Network Operations on Schedule During COVID-19

Network Rail, the owner and infrastructure manager of most of Great Britain’s rail network, faced the sudden need to move its Wales and Western region staff to remote work during the COVID-19 lockdown while delivering station upgrades and signal sighting works at Exeter and Paddington. To maintain schedule and safely coordinate complex survey, signage, and signaling tasks without site access, Network Rail turned to Bentley and its suite of BIM and digital twin applications for a cloud-based, collaborative approach.

Bentley implemented a connected data environment using ProjectWise and delivered 3D modeling and digital twin workflows with MicroStation, Descartes, and OpenRail Designer, enabling live, interdisciplinary reviews and remote decision-making. The team produced a comprehensive Exeter model in three days, cut point-cloud processing time by 50% with Descartes, and delivered the Paddington digital twin one month early; overall results included fewer site visits, faster issue resolution, measurable time and cost savings, and Network Rail’s Wales and Western team becoming the organization’s go‑to for rail modeling thanks to Bentley’s solutions.

Network Rail

John Nolan

Programme Manager BIM