An approach to infrastructure client projects

eLSEwise is a User Reference Project under the EU ESPRIT programme. The objective of eLSEwise is to analyse the Large Scale Engineering (LSE) sector in terms of IT usage and business perspectives. Based on an analysis of the LSE sector today, the trends in the LSE worldwide market, the trends in the IT industry and a future LSE vision are defined. A ‘road map’ guiding the European LSE industry from where it is today to where the vision sets the goal 10–15 years ahead has been developed. This paper is about the approach adopted by the Danish National Railway Agency (DNRA) in dealing with infrastructure projects. DNRA represents one of the target business areas of eLSEwise: transportation. DNRA is the owner and manager of the Danish national railway infrastructure. Like most European railway companies DNRA is facing major changes, moving from monopoly into a profitable, self‐sustained business. At the same time major infrastructure projects are planned and executed, aiming at the creation of a trans‐European high speed network, and at the general revitalization of the European railway sector. After a presentation of DNRA's business and technical context and major current projects, the paper discusses the eLSEwise perspective of life‐cycle oriented infrastructure management and the integrational aspects related to execution of a major infrastructure project and subsequent facility management. Finally, the paper identifies the major gaps between the current situation and the eLSEwise vision of life‐cycle oriented total management of large scale engineering facilities like railway sections.