Railway Domain Session 1 - IFC Rail: Feedback and maintenance

The IFC Rail Standard, developed since 2018, is now entering its mass adoption phase. As the rail industry moves forward with IFC Rail 4.3, it becomes essential to focus on its maintenance and further development to maximize its utility and acceptance across international rail infrastructures. This workshop aims to address these needs and is targeted at stakeholders involved in the IFC Rail Standard, including infrastructure stakeholders, software vendors, and partner organizations like ISO, CEN, OGC, UIC, and many more. But most importantly: With the presented project the Railway Domain is trying to involve the users of openBIM standards actively in developing reliable, applicable and stable standards for the future.

The initial development of the IFC Rail Standard involved collaboration among infrastructure experts from various railways worldwide, creating a high-quality, albeit incomplete, representation of rail systems. Despite the successful implementation of the standard as an ISO norm in early 2024, the need for systematic updates and enhancements remains. The project presented and discussed in this workshop proposes a comprehensive approach to maintaining and evolving the standard, ensuring its continued relevance and effectiveness.

The project offers numerous benefits, including improved accuracy, applicability, and integration of IFC Rail in rail infrastructure processes. It aims to bolster international acceptance and convince hesitant stakeholders of the tangible benefits of adopting the standard. By focusing on practical experiences and user feedback, the project seeks to refine the standard to better serve the needs of the railway industry.

By establishing a structured process for maintaining and enhancing the IFC Rail Standard, this project aims to ensure its long-term viability and effectiveness. The workshop will serve as a platform to gather insights, harmonize requirements, and foster collaboration among stakeholders, ultimately leading to a more robust and widely accepted standard.

Also featuring a presentation from RFI:

58:32 IFC 4.3 in Practice: Lessons from Railway Digitalization - Elena Ciampa and Luca Curreli, RFI