• Qatar Rail adopts Autodesk BIM solutions and expertise for development, construction and lifecycle management of an efficient, modern and high-quality railway system
• The Qatar Rail Development Program envisions a world-class, efficient public transportation system which will provide an attractive and competitive alternative to private transport

DUBAI, U.A.E. & DOHA, Qatar — (BUSINESS WIRE) — March 20, 2014 — Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK), a leader in 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software, today announced that Qatar Rail has awarded a Building Information Modeling (BIM) services contract to the company in Qatar. Autodesk will provide BIM implementation, consultancy and advisory services to Qatar Rail towards the construction of a modern integrated railway network in the country. This agreement was formalized at a signing ceremony in Doha attended by Eng. Saad Ahmed Al Muhannadi, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Rail and Mr. Callan Carpenter, Vice President of Global Services, Autodesk.

Callan Carpenter (VP, Global Services, Autodesk), Saad Al Muhannadi (Qatar Rail CEO) and Nasser Rashid E R Al-Kuwari (Head of Engineering Information Section at Ashghal) at the signing ceremony in Doha (Photo: Business Wire)

Qatar Rail is responsible for the design, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of the entire rail network and systems within Qatar. Its scope of work is driven directly from the Qatar National Vision as the country aims to sustain its development and provide a high standard of living for its people by 2030. Qatar Rail chose Autodesk’s BIM solutions and expertise as part of its commitment to employ world-class technologies as it acts on its vision to deliver many high-profile and technologically groundbreaking railway infrastructure projects. 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 minimizing 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 organizations. 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, Autodesk 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.

“A rigorous BIM process implementation has the potential to deliver tremendous benefits to the owner/operators of national infrastructure projects like Qatar Rail, from the design phase, through construction, commissioning and ongoing operations. Autodesk is very pleased to be Qatar Rail’s chosen partner for achieving these benefits. Qatar’s adoption of BIM demonstrates its commitment to the very best technology when it comes to implementing their national vision for Qatar 2030,” said Callan Carpenter, Vice President, Global Services, Autodesk.

“We are excited to support Qatar Rail in its endeavor to develop a world-class railway infrastructure network in the country. Adopting modern BIM technology in public infrastructure projects will help reduce conflicts and changes in plans, improve project quality and ensure better predictability of project outcomes. As a pioneer of BIM solutions, Autodesk is ready to support Qatar Rail in project delivery and implementation,” said Louay Dahmash, Head, Autodesk Middle East.

According to a recent report by MEED, the current value of civil construction projects in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is estimated at US$1.3 trillion, with US$935 billion in execution including long-term megaprojects, US$81 billion out to tender, US$211 billion in design phases and US$136 billion under study. Autodesk BIM technologies can play a major role in creating, managing and executing projects of such scale and size. BIM is an intelligent model-centric process that enables more accurate, accessible and actionable insight for creating and managing infrastructure projects faster, more economically, and with less environmental impact.

About Qatar Rail

The formation of Qatar Rail began back in 2011 when the Qatar Rail Company was created. The Qatar Rail will be the owner and manager of Qatar’s rail network and will be responsible for the design, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of the entire rail network and systems. The scope of work is driven directly from the Qatar National Vision and forms an essential part of the Transport Master Plan for Qatar. The Qatar National Vision aims to transform Qatar into an advanced country by 2030, capable of sustaining its own development and providing for a high standard of living for its entire people for generations to come. The planned railway systems will support this vision. Qatar Rail will develop a world-class, efficient public transportation system which will provide an attractive and competitive alternative to private transport, capable of achieving a significant modal share. The State of Qatar is embarking on a momentous venture with the development of not one but four rail initiatives – to be known as The Qatar Rail Development Program (QRDP).

About Autodesk

Autodesk helps people imagine, design and create a better world. Everyone—from design professionals, engineers and architects to digital artists, students and hobbyists—uses Autodesk software to unlock their creativity and solve important challenges. For more information visit  autodesk.com or follow @autodesk.

Autodesk, the Autodesk logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document. © 2014 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

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