Digital engineering enables multinational input on Bergen’s light rail extension, Norway

Stage 3 of the Bergen light rail system in Norway was successfully completed in 2016 by a globally dispersed team from seven countries. In a first for Norway, planning, design and construction were undertaken using a fully integrated three-dimensional digital engineering model with a BS 1192-based common data environment. The project provides 7·8 km of double track from the suburb of Lagunen to a new underground station at Bergen airport. It includes seven stops, 2·8 km of tunnel, over 1 km of structures, a depot and a control centre. Following delivery of the first two stages using conventional design techniques, client Bybanen Utbygging opted to use a full building information model for stage 3. This enabled an unprecedented level of collaboration and efficiency, with project team members working in multiple locations, cultures and languages.