The Manual for Railway Engineering (MRE) is an annual publication released every April. The Manual consists of more than 6,100 pages of railway engineering reference material, the recommended practices for the industry. It contains principles, data, specifications, plans and economics pertaining to the engineering, design and construction of the fixed plant of railways (except signals and communications), and allied services and facilities. The material is developed by AREMA technical committees and is published as a guide to railways in establishing their individual policies and practices relative to the subjects, activities and facilities covered in the Manual, with the aim of assisting them to engineer and construct a railway plant which will have inherent qualities of a safe and economical operation as well as low maintenance cost.
The BIM Manual and supporting documents outline strategic processes and workflows for Rail Baltica and its supply chain, evolving over the project lifecycle to integrate technological and methodological advancements. The manual applies to all project phases, as defined in the Employer Information Requirements (EIR/TS), ensuring a consistent framework for BIM delivery.
Integrating 5D BIM into large rail projects improves cost management but faces challenges related to technology, functionality, and governance. This paper presents a framework to support financial decision-making, project management, and efficient delivery.
Key elements include project governance, BIM policies, digital platforms, BIM LOD, cost-estimation classification, and continuous improvement. Governance ensures structured implementation, policies maintain quality, and digital platforms enable collaboration. Cost-estimation aligns with project scope, and continuous improvement enhances efficiency and innovation.
The study, based on Victorian rail projects, highlights challenges such as inconsistent data exchange standards, compatibility issues with cost management, and unclear governance strategies. Further validation in real-world projects is recommended.