2010 / 2
Sustainable mobility Electric vehicles will change our cities
Maintenance Scottish trunk roads outsourced
“Everybody will like the North/South Line�
on location info South dhvAfrica kantoren
“An elegant solution of high quality”
The Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC) has awarded its Steel Prize 2010 to the new pedestrian bridge over the N1 highway in Johannesburg. The bridge was designed by SSI and architect Prof. Glen Mills for the commissioning client, the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL). In its report, the SAISC jury described the bridge as, “a good example of the right material in the right place. The quality of the steel structure combines with the excellent presentation to make this bridge an elegant solution of high quality. It is a handsome addition to Johannesburg’s northwestern approach road. The appealing manner in which steel has been used in its construction certainly justifies the award of the Steel Prize.”
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info Robin Hayes | telephone + 27 11 798 6000 |
photo: ssi
e-mail robinh@ssi.co.za
preface
contents
4
coverstory
Sustainable mobility moves forwards.
7 news in brief Diraab Road Corridor in Riyadh. Go Transit electrification study. 8 on location DHV Polska scores in 2012 European Cup.
Bertrand van Ee, President Executive Board DHV Group
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DHVtimes 2010 / 2
Leading by example
9 interview Birgit Otto, Schiphol Group 10 on location Monitoring Luoyang’s traffic. 11 dhv group news 15 on location Ashdod port expansion plan. 16 interview Donald Morrison, Transport Scotland 19 on location Hybrid buses for urban transport. 20 news in brief Flyover solution for Srinagar. Transfer City. 21 interview Peter Dijk, Amsterdam North/South Line Project
22 vision More wheels on the same asphalt. 23
colophon
tips and service
Sustainable development is an integral part of our business process at the DHV Group. In our projects and in our conduct of business, we want to lead the way through initiatives that contribute to a better environment, a better society and a sustainable way of doing business, or the 3 Ps of Planet – People – Profit, in that order. We work alongside our clients on improving the living environment. We make allowance for climate change (mitigation and adaptation), scarce energy and raw materials and the needs that exist in the community at large. What will be the consequences of climate change, ageing and population shrinkage? Solutions to such issues frequently come about by looking at 'the wider picture' and by combining functions and goals. Often it also leads us to cost reduction and innovation. We have adopted the same approach internally. It enables us to reduce our CO2 and water footprints, for example. Our personnel policy gives high priority to the pursuit of diversity, while at various places in the world our staff work voluntarily on improving living conditions. We lead by example. The DHV Group finds itself in good company along with other front-runners that have understood that the world is changing and that our old reference frameworks are no longer enough to tackle these changes. Automobiles are no longer being rated according to their horsepower but according to their CO2 emissions per kilometer and in the near future they will be rated by their electric power. Sustainable urban mobility is one new reference framework that has put DHV at the head of the pack (see page 4). The sustaining of airports, or 'Green Airports', is indicative of this different way of thinking. NACO and DHV are working on this matter for the Schiphol Airport Group (see page 9). A climate change conference was held in Cancún early December. Once again it highlighted the difficulty in establishing international climate change agreements. Rewarding sustainability frontrunners may contribute significantly to achieving the goal of a sustainable world. Through their passion they can set an example in how to take concrete steps. If you help us in this endeavor, we will get a lot closer to the sustainable development of the world in which we live.
Photo cover: An electric car being charged at a public charge station (Hollandse Hoogte).
Sustainable mobility
photo: hollandse hoogte
coverstory
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DHVtimes 2010 / 2
Sustainable mobility moves forwards dhv and sustainable mobility
“The electric car is the future, not a passing fad.” Pieter Tanja, a DHV Leading Professional in Sustainable Mobility, is convinced that we are on the threshold of a major transition in transport and mobility, and one which will change the face of our cities. “Sustainable urban mobility is the key transport concept of the future – the very near future,” he states. several major companies, taxi operators and urban distribution services have also started to make the switch. Many fleet owners who have not yet ‘gone electric’ have stated the intention of doing so within the coming five years.”
Breakthrough
Cars and buses which run on biodiesel or natural gas have been with us for some time, but as yet there has been no true breakthrough in sustainable mobility. “Alternative fuels such as ‘green’ gas, biodiesel and bioethanol have remained just as expensive as petrol or diesel. Operating costs are still the main consideration. Without a clear-cut business case, any transition will proceed very slowly. Vehicle manufacturers, fuel producers and governments did not work together effectively enough. However, they are now doing so with regard to electric transport and real progress is being made as a result.”
photo: corbis
Pieter Tanja bases this prediction on a number of factors. Not only are manufacturers such as Renault and Nissan developing new electric vehicles, but governments are actively encouraging their adoption by creating the necessary infrastructure and introducing financial incentives. “The manufacturers realize the commercial potential of electric transport,” states Tanja. “Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault, expects to produce and sell a large number of electric cars in 2011. He also notes that the Japanese, Israeli and Danish governments, among others, are virtually queuing up to help in their introduction, as are local authorities such as Amsterdam.” This impression is confirmed by the interim findings of a European study coordinated by DHV and due to be completed in January next year. “Public sector organizations are leading the way when it comes to purchasing electric vehicles. They are the ‘early adopters’ but
DHV is involved in a number of innovative mobility projects in which sustainability and energy efficiency play an important part. One example is the ‘fleet scan’ which assesses fleet-owners’ transport resources. Another project involves the development of a new hybrid bus. In yet another, we have developed criteria for sustainable purchasing practice. Attention is devoted not only to the technology but to ‘mobility management’ and the organization of urban distribution networks.
The motives for promoting electric vehicles are well known: they account for no local emissions of hazardous substances and provided the electricity they use is derived from renewable sources, they are virtually CO2 neutral in use. Reducing society’s dependence on oil is a further, increasingly important, consideration. An electric motor is approximately 30% more energy- >>
Sustainable mobility
photo: hollandse hoogte
coverstory
Under the hood.
there will also be hybrid vehicles which can be recharged using the standard domestic mains electricity supply. They are known as ‘plug-in hybrids’. In fact, Pieter Tanja believes that the electric car is not the end point of the transition to sustainable mobility, but is merely paving the way for the fuel cell. “We predict that vehicles with both a hydrogen fuel cell and an electric motor will start to dominate the roads between 2030 and 2050. The electric system will be ideal for short distances, while the driver can switch to hydrogen for longer journeys.”
photo: hollandse hoogte
efficient than the internal combustion engine. Organizations such as the European Union, the United Nations and the World Bank realize that over eighty per cent of the world’s population will soon be concentrated in the cities. If all those people continue to use vehicles which burn fossil fuels, the cities will rapidly become unlivable. If urban mobility is to be sustainable, the transition to electric vehicles is inevitable. The first step has already been taken with the adoption of hybrid drive systems, while ‘Battery Electric Vehicles’ powered exclusively by electricity are gradually becoming more common. One frequently cited objection to electric vehicles is their limited range: approximately 150 kilometers between charges. Tanja dismisses this argument with a smile. “People who live in cities generally travel within the city boundaries. The average commuting distance, for example, is less than twenty kilometers. In most cases, you can simply recharge the vehicle overnight at home, but if you really need to travel more than 150 kilometers you will soon be able to ‘top up’ at a roadside rapid charging station, or switch batteries en route. Governments and the market are already hard at work creating the necessary infrastructure. We are helping various parties, both public and private, in this area. Once the infrastructure is in place and the price of batteries falls, there will be nothing to stand in the way of the electric car.” Before long,
Urban development
“Electric vehicles will change the face of our cities”, Pieter Tanja continues. “There will be charging points in or close to the home and workplace. It will be possible to build closer to roads, since electric vehicles account for no pollution and less noise. This will enable planners to make far more efficient use of the available space. Information technology will be another important influencing factor: onboard computers, mobile phones and the iPad, for example. Intelligent transport systems (ITS) will assist the driver in all sorts of ways, such as monitoring speed, keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front, responding to hazardous situations, choosing the best route, maintaining an economical driving style, locating fuel stations and charging points, and so on. Mobile phones, GPS
“Electric vehicles will change the face of our cities”
and the public transport smartcard open up opportunities for a whole range of new location-based services, including route-planning and remote ticket purchase. It will then be possible to plan the most convenient journey using a combination of transport modalities. This will reduce reliance on the private car. Separating car ownership from car usage will do much to make the overall transport system more sustainable, with the alternatives to the car made more visible. Moreover, the interests of accessibility and safety will also be served.”
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info Pieter Tanja telephone +31 33 468 30 19 e-mail pieter.tanja@dhv.com
news in brief
The Diraab Road Corridor forms the southern access route to the holy city of Mecca.
Diraab Road Corridor in Riyadh Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, is experiencing rapid growth. According to current projections, its population will double to eight million within the next twenty years. It is essential that the transport network keeps pace. In association with KuiperCompagnons, DHV is developing a master plan for the Diraab Road Corridor, a project commissioned by the Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA). This twenty-kilometer road forms the southern access route to the holy city of Mecca. The Diraab Road Corridor is to have four three-lane carriageways and will be one of the country’s main ‘activity spines’. As the volume of traffic increases, so does the risk of congestion and accidents. The new road connects with the King Fahd Highway, one of the main routes through Riyadh itself. DHV and KuiperCompagnons have been asked to produce a plan which will guarantee good throughflow and maximum safety, while also allowing the surrounding area to be structured in an attractive manner. Within the consortium, DHV is responsible for integrating the traffic management requirements with those of urban planning. This entails modeling the future traffic flows, assessing environmental impact, planning the required utilities, and elaborating the outline design for the road to include pedestrian areas, public transport facilities, Intelligent Transport Systems and safety measures. The consortium will refine the plan to arrive at the final design. This part of the project is due to be completed in March 2011.
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Rail
DHVtimes 2010 / 2
Go Transit Electrification Study Metrolinx is sponsoring a study of the electrification of the entire GO Transit commuter rail network.
Metrolinx is an Ontario Provincial agency with the mandate to champion, develop and implement an integrated transportation system for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) that will enhance prosperity, sustainability and quality of life. In responds to this mandate, Metrolinx is sponsoring a number of major transportation initiatives in the region, including a study of the electrification of the entire GO Transit commuter rail network, as a future alternative to the diesel-electric locomotives now in service. GO Transit is one of North America’s most successful regional public transportation providers. The objective of this electrification study is to assess future technology options, including future diesel, electric and alternative technologies; to review their viability in various corridor environments as well as at the network level; and to consider the potential benefits and costs associated with replacing the diesel-electric locomotives. Delcan, in joint venture, is leading the comprehensive study that will consider factors such as reliability and service, environmental and health impacts, community and land use impacts, economic and system-wide impacts, such as funding and financing. When complete, the Electrification Study will provide Metrolinx’s Board of Directors with the information needed to assess the relative merits of alternatives and decide how GO Trains will be powered in the future. This study includes a high-level of stakeholder engagement and recognizes that it must be conducted with a clear and transparent process, which can be related to the strategic goals and objectives for transportation in the GTHA.
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info Joep Coopmans / Ziad al Mahmoud
info Marcela Diaz-Ruiz
telephone +31 33 468 3251 / +31 33 468 3406
telephone +1 905 943 0500
e-mail joep.coopmans@dhv.com / ziad.almahmoud@dhv.com
e-mail m.diaz-ruiz@delcan.com
photo: delcan
Urban planning
photo: dhv
news in brief
on location
Poland
DHV Polska scores in 2012 European Cup
The 2012 UEFA European Cup football tournament is to be hosted by Poland and Ukraine. It has already prompted the Polish government to make significant investments in the country’s infrastructure. DHV Polska is playing an important role, leading the consortium responsible for constructing a section of the A2 highway between Lodz and Warsaw. This 91-kilometer road must be completed by May 2012. Once the section near the German border has also been completed, there will be an uninterrupted route all the way from Warsaw to Amsterdam. The consortium, which also includes Arcadis and the French engineering consultancy Egis, was responsible for evaluating the structural design and continues to oversee the construction work.
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photo: dhv
info Andrzej Sas | telephone +48 22 606 29 59 | e-mail andrzej.sas@dhv.com
interview
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Birgit Otto, Schiphol Group
DHVtimes 2010 / 2
photo: dhv
Schiphol Airport’s sustainable growth strategy
Birgit Otto of the Schiphol Group.
As they compete for passengers and airline business, international airports must seek ways of differentiating themselves from their rivals. The Schiphol Group, which operates Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, does so by investing in sustainability and innovation. As Birgit Otto, the Schiphol Group’s Director of Asset Management, explains: “We are not afraid to support new, sustainable developments because investments in sustainability often pay for themselves very quickly. For some time, we have been investing in sustainable technologies such as thermal storage systems, combined heat and power, solar energy, electric transport and low-energy lighting.” “It is not only passengers and cargo which converge at Schiphol. The airport is a focal point for business and new ideas. Now that sustainable energy systems are in operation at various locations, we are seeking new forms of cooperation and partnership. For example, we have joined forces with Imtech, TU Delft, Wageningen University and Research Centre, and the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) to develop innovative applications which can be introduced immediately in an economically responsible manner. Examples include LED lighting which is only switched on when needed, climate control systems based on heat exchangers, and better insulation methods. By 2012, the airport’s own operations must be entirely CO2 neutral, while energy efficiency is to be at least 30% higher than in 2005. Schiphol also wishes to generate at least 20% of its own energy requirement on site, doing so in a sustainable and environmentally responsible way. This will lead to a 20% reduction in overall CO2 emissions. “Sustainability
is not always the highest priority. The interests of safety and security must always come first, whereupon we must make certain concessions. However, it is the overall result that counts. Sustainability can cost money, but it can also save money. In terms of operating costs, for example, it will be prudent to bring forward some replacement investments, even though the equipment concerned is not yet at the end of its useful working life. New equipment is often far more energy efficient. The reduction in operating costs will then be far greater than the interest we could earn by deferring the investments. It is a question of keeping abreast of the latest technological advances and knowing where the risks and opportunities lie.” “DHV and NACO are currently advising us with regard to the construction of a new pier. In this sort of major project, it is essential to monitor the sustainability aspects very carefully. When a budget overrun seems likely, there is a tendency to cut costs in the wrong places. That is a very short-sighted approach. We always look at the operating costs throughout
naco and dhv
For over fifty years, NACO has advised the Schiphol Group on both technical and organizational matters. It is currently providing consultancy services in respect of the construction of a new pier, which is needed to accommodate the expected growth in passenger numbers. DHV is closely involved in ensuring that sustainability plays a full part in all new projects at Schiphol Airport.
the life cycle and the long-term return on investment. A minor saving which detracts from the sustainability of a project could turn into a major, unnecessary and recurring cost.” Every airport must devote attention to its asset and life cycle management, which entails a careful consideration of the replacement investment strategy, environmental legislation and all aspects of safety and security. The opportunities can be maximized through good use of the existing market knowledge. This is why we always study the innovations identified by our partners very carefully, and try to influence our partners more directly by taking an active part in the innovation process. An airport can gain much from cooperation with both aviation organizations and service providers which specialize in sustainability.”
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info Marjolein Demmers telephone +31 33 468 27 09 e-mail marjolein.demmers@dhv.com
Luoyang, China
Monitoring Luoyang’s traffic
Using a bank of monitors and state-of-the-art computer technology, traffic police in Luoyang can now remotely monitor all major roads and intersections in this major Chinese city. If there is an accident or unusual congestion due to roadworks, a decision support system helps them to implement appropriate measures and get traffic moving again. The system was designed and implemented by experts from Delcan (Toronto) and the DHV offices in the Netherlands and Beijing.
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info George Motza | telephone +31 33 468 37 62 e-mail george.motza@dhv.com photo: dhv
on location
DHVtimes 2010 / 2
photo: dhv
10 | 11
Borg el Arab International Airport has a brand new passenger terminal.
blue motion InterVISTAS Consulting launched a new product: Blue Motion. It provides strategic solutions for airports using Bluetooth passenger tracking technology. Information is captured by placing Bluetooth receivers in and around the airport. A significant number of passengers use cellular Bluetooth devices while passing through the airport. These signals can be located and tracked, providing a clear picture of how passengers move through the airport. The information is available through a realtime dashboard enabling airport managers to immediately respond to customer service issues. The Blue Motion results provide critical analysis of the factors effecting passenger processing and queue and dwell times. Airport managers, globally, are using this information to design specific solutions to improve the passenger experience, increase commercial revenues and embark on cost-saving operational improvements.
new sustainability program director Marjolein Demmers MBA has been appointed Sustainability Program Director for the whole DHV Group. Over the coming two years, she will lead the process of embedding sustainability into all DHV products and services. Marjolein will also help our key clients to identify and exploit opportunities for sustainable development. DHV wishes to lead the field in terms of sustainable business. Marjolein will therefore devote particular attention to promoting ‘sustainable thinking’
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info Marjolein Demmers telephone +31 33 468 27 09 e-mail marjolein.demmers@dhv.nl
new terminal borg el arab airport
photo: dhv
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info Karla Petri telephone +1 204 949 2901 e-mail karla.petri@intervistas.com
throughout the Group, and will work to reduce CO2 emissions and to ensure responsible use of company vehicles. Ms Demmers has been the director of DHV’s Environment and Sustainability Consultancy unit for the past six years. Under her leadership, this type of consultancy service has developed to become one of the DHV Group’s core activities. Marjolein Demmers is also a member of the Dutch Energy Council, an independent body which advises government and parliament on energy policy.
Marjolein Demmers.
Borg el Arab International Airport, which serves the Egyptian city of Alexandria, has a brand new passenger terminal. NACO was closely involved in the development of the building from the outset, working in partnership with Japan Airport Consultants (JAC) and Engineering Consultants Group (ECG). The joint
venture was responsible for the design, planning, project management, and for all electrical and mechanical systems. The new terminal doubles Borg el Arab’s capacity to some 1.2 million passenger movements a year. It can also accommodate large modern aircraft such as the Boeing 777. The terminal meets all international standards and is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to ensure that operational processes can be completed safely and efficiently. The new terminal was officially opened by the President of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak, in October. The airport also has a new air traffic control tower, a cargo terminal, a fire station and an office building.
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info Tiffany Fluent telephone +31 70 344 63 00 e-mail tiffany.fluent@naco.dhv.com
co 2-reduction DHV Group is doing everything possible to minimize its CO2 emissions. In October, NPC rose to the highest rung on the CO2 ‘ladder’ used by ProRail, the organization which manages the Netherlands’
photo: hollandse hoogte
DHV is doing everything possible to minimize its CO2 emissions.
info Thijs Lindhout telephone +31 30 272 73 70 e-mail thijs.lindhout@npc.dhv.com
twente airport NACO, InterVISTAS and DHV have joined forces to identify a party willing to transform the former military airbase in Twente into a commercial civil airport. This project has been commissioned by the Twente Area Development Corporation. The new airport will
prtr-system in israel
Afgelopen maand is Hydroprojekt begonnen met het renoveren van de schutsluizen in het deel van de Oder dat wordt beheerd door de regionale waterinstantie in het Poolse Gliwice. De opdracht betreft vier schutsluizen en omvat tevens het uitwerken van technische documentatie.
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This year Israel joined the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). As a member, Israel has taken on the obligation of establishing a full Pollution Release and Transfer Register (PRTR). A PRTR system is a national inventory of emissions and waste transfers. DHV MED was assigned by Israel’s Ministry of the Environment to lead the
Peter Kuenzli (director Twente Area Development Corportation) (l) commissions Eugene Grüter (DHV director) to identify a party willing to transform Twente Airport.
serve as a regional centre for charter flights, low-cost carriers, small operators and freight handling. It must also accommodate aviationrelated light industry, leisure facilities, car parking and other commercial activities. The airport development project is intended to strengthen the region’s economy and promote sustainability. The DHV team includes experts in business case planning, environmental management, airport development, contract development and administration, funding acquisition, tendering law and project management. Over the coming eighteen months, the
team will establish the frameworks for aspects such as safety, nature conservation, avoidance of (noise) nuisance and employment opportunity. There will also be a careful consideration of the risks, the interests of the various stakeholders, relevant legislation and the overall business case. Only when these frameworks have been approved by Enschede City Council and the Overijssel Regional Authority will the actual tendering process begin.
photo: hollandse hoogte
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sluizen in de oder
photo: dhv
rail infrastructure. In November, DHV B.V. achieved the second highest rating on the ladder, Level 4. ProRail is the first Dutch company to reward suppliers with an active energy and climate policy by means of preferential treatment in its assessment of project proposals. In the past year, NPC and DHV have undertaken a number of activities to demonstrate compliance with ProRail’s requirements. Both have recalculated their own CO2 footprints and now require suppliers to show that they are also aware of their CO2 footprints. In addition, NPC and DHV have made their CO2 targets public.
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info Fieke Krikhaar telephone +31 33 468 30 60 e-mail fieke.krikhaar@dhv.com
A PRTR system is a national inventory of emissions and waste transfers.
2010 / 2
photo: dhv
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All DHV’s asset management activities at the Chemelot chemicals complex in Geleen (NL) have now been fully certified to PAS 55 standard.
project of establishing a PRTR system in Israel. This is a complex task involving expertise in environmental legislation, chemistry, industrial processes, waste management, system analysis, IT, quality assurance, emission estimation methods, publication, financial planning and other fields. The first stage, which will be completed by 2013, will include releases and transfers of dozens of chemicals from industrial sources, with the whole process designed and carried out by DHV MED.
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info Gilad Safier telephone +972 98 92 32 01 e-mail gilad@dhvmed.com
pas 55 certification All DHV’s asset management activities at the Chemelot chemicals complex in Geleen (NL) have now been fully certified to PAS 55 standard. DHV is the first engineering consultancy in the world to have been awarded this certification by Lloyd’s Register. DHV manages and maintains all infrastructure and public areas on the site on behalf of
the clients, DSM Nederland and Sitech Services. The asset management portfolio includes 80 kilometers of roads, 50 kilometers of railway tracks, 16 bridges and viaducts, 195 kilometers of drainage pipelines and even a harbor. The various chemicals companies on the site are able concentrate on their core business, confident that the value of their assets and the attractiveness of the site will be maintained. DHV’s asset management serves to reduce the costs to the clients by some 20% per annum (compared to the reference year 2005). PAS 55 is a standard devised by the British Standards Institute (BSI). It examines a number of aspects, including sustainability, business continuity, financial investment policy and technical maintenance management.
sioned by the Kuwait Ports Authority and involves the redevelopment of three existing ports in Kuwait City, as well as six new facilities along the 300 kilometer long coastline. The new coastal ports will also be suitable for ferries serving the offshore islands and for the boats used by government departments. DHV is undertaking this project in association with the Dutch consultancy KuiperCompagnons and a local partner, SIEF Engineering Consultants. Recent months have been
devoted to the production of an integrated coastal master plan for all nine ports. The Kuwait Ports Authority sees the project as the fulfillment of a long-cherished desire to strengthen the traditional ties between the local communities and the sea. It has warmly welcomed the ideas included in the master plan which will make this possible.
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info Michiel de Jong telephone +31 33 468 32 61 e-mail michiel.dejong@dhv.com
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info Pieter Linnartz telephone +31 43 329 48 48 e-mail pieter.linnartz@dhv.com
nine ports in kuwait DHV is currently developing plans for nine ports in Kuwait. The project has been commis-
DHV is currently developing plans for nine ports in Kuwait.
ho chi minh city Royal Haskoning, Deltares and DHV have acquired a frontrunner project in a series of Dutch-Vietnamese initiatives to improve flood control in the Mekong Delta. This first project aims at reducing flooding in and around Ho Chi Minh City with 7 million people. The approach is truly multidisciplinary. Technological knowledge will be applied and transferred but institutional aspects, management capabilities and environmental aspects are considered equally important. The project team will also promote partnerships between Dutch and Vietnamese educational, scientific, water and environmental institutions and between governmental and non governmental organizations in the field of water management. Moreover it will investigate opportunities for collaboration under ongoing programs for the exchange of knowledge and experiences on delta technology, climate change and water management. The project is funded by both the Dutch and the Vietnamese governments. DHV is involved in several projects in
Vietnam, including two large drinking water projects in which river water will be used to produce drinking water and the widening and deepening of 250 kilometers of the Mekong river including the construction and restoration of 18 bridges and a new lock.
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info Jan Oomen telephone +31 33 468 25 22 e-mail jan.oomen@dhv.com
dhv signs cancun communiqué The Cancun Communiqué on Climate Change is the definitive pro-
gressive statement from the international business community ahead of the United Nations climate change conference in Cancun this December. DHV signed the Cancun Communiqué to indicate its support for ambitious international action on climate change. DHV realizes that a strong and effective international climate framework is essential to allow the global private sector to respond to the threat of climate change and make the most of the opportunities. The Cancun Communiqué on Climate Change sets out a definitive statement of what the business community expects from the UN conference in Cancun. It also urges governments to take a number of key strategic ac-
tions locally, nationally and regionally, in order to move the world closer to the low-carbon transition that is required.
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info Marga Donehoo telephone +31 33 468 37 40 e-mail marga.donehoo@dhv.com
delcan and checkmark Delcan Corporation and CheckMark Vehicle Safety Services are forming a strategic partnership. CheckMark is dedicated to enhancing highway safety by providing a comprehensive suite of commercial vehicle safety and security solutions. “Our strategic relationship with CheckMark and its industry-leading position provides synergy for both firms,” said Delcan CEO Jim Kerr. “Delcan sees significant opportunities to expand business in freight transportation and public safety.”
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info Cheryl-Marie Hansberger telephone +1 714 343 11 02 e-mail c.hansberger@delcan.com
klaassen
photo: erik
Royal Haskoning, Deltares and DHV have acquired a project to improve flood control in the Mekong Delta.
on location
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Israel
DHVtimes 2010 / 2
Ashdod port expansion plan
Cargo continues to grow, as does the size of container ships. Israel Ports Development & Assets Company Ltd (IPC) has contracted DHV to work on extra docks and a large breakwater. Everything is being designed with the aid of computer modeling and scale models are being built and subjected to intensive tests at various laboratories. DHV is responsible for all research, studies, designs, the call for tenders and entire completion of the port expansion. It is teamwork from DHV B.V., DHV Med and PGL that makes this possible.
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info Ben Reeskamp | telephone +31 33 468 33 67
photo: dhv
e-mail ben.reeskamp@dhv.com
interview
Donald Morrison, Tranport Scotland
Trunk roads in Scotland have been managed and maintained by private contractors since 1995. They work more efficiently and at lower cost than public bodies can. Donald Morrison, Head of Asset Management at Transport Scotland (TS), explains the secret of this successful outsourcing completely in control as a public body. We estimate an overall cost reduction of about 10% yearly.�
photo: transport scotland
operation. “Every year we are making substantial savings whilst being
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DHVtimes 2010 / 2
Donald Morrison, Head of Asset Management, Trunk Road and Bus Operations Directorate, Transport Scotland:
Scotland sets example in outsourcing road maintenance donald morrison
photo: transport scotland
What were the Scottish government’s reasons to contract the private sector?
“Although Central Government always had responsibility for trunk roads, before 1995 the management and maintenance of all roads (both local roads and trunk roads) was carried out by the local authorities. The main drivers behind the central government decision to privatize the maintenance of trunk roads were generating efficiencies, getting more value for money, realizing innovation, and improving service delivery. The first contracts were tendered in 1995 and the maintenance work on the ground started in 1996.”
How did people react to the decision?
“Taking work away from the public authorities to the private market was a sensitive issue. Some local authorities were skeptical about moving into competitive contracts but when all of the first-generation contracts were won by the local authorities, the political criticism died down. The political issue was raised again with the second-generation contracts in 2001 when local authorities lost contracts to the private sector, which was better placed to make competitive bids this time. Local politicians and opposition politicians in central government were critical of the new operators’ perceived poor performance in their first year. After a year the operating companies were fully mobilized and performed better. As a result we were able to illustrate the benefits of the outsourcing operation.”
“Outsourcing maintenance was a new concept in 1995”
Donald Morrison is a civil engineer and has been working for the Scottish government since 1994. After serving as area manager and project manager, he was appointed Head of Asset Management in Transport Scotland’s Trunk Road and Bus Operations Directorate in 2007. Transport Scotland (TS) is an executive agency of the Scottish government and is responsible for roads, railways, ferries, ports, air policy and national concessionary travel and integrated ticketing schemes. The agency has over 300 employees and spends approx. 2,5 billion euro annually in delivering the government’s Capital Road and Rail Investment Programs. Approx. 150 million euro is spent annually on trunk road maintenance. Within the directorate, Donald is responsible for asset management and budgetary control for the management, operation and maintenance of the trunk road network in Scotland, which has a total length of some 3400 kilometers.
Did TS know exactly how to organize the outsourcing?
“Outsourcing maintenance was a new concept and in 1995 we had very little direct experience with it. We looked at what the English were doing. They were ahead of us, but we designed the tender contracts ourselves to suit our own needs. They were quite different from the English contracts. In the first-generation contracts (1996 – 2001) we tried two types to find out which provided the best value for money, and which was the easiest to manage. Also different from the English model was our idea of monitoring the operating companies through an independent third party called the Performance Audit Group (PAG) Commission. This PAG is essential for us because Transport Scotland is a lean >>
interview
Donald Morrison, Tranport Scotland
photo: transport scotland
dhv
DHV provides asset management services for infrastructure – mainly roads and civil structures – to a wide range of public and industrial clients. Services include project management, management & technical consultancy, inspection & survey, contract management & performance auditing. Since 2010, DHV is PAS 55 (British Standards Institution) certified for its Asset management Services as Managing (Agent) Contractor on the Chemelot site in the Netherlands. Together with Halcrow (main partner in Scotland’s PAG) DHV is presently developing its services to a wider context.
photo: transport scotland
The Scottish trunk road network has a total length of some 3400 kilometers.
organization and we don’t have the resources to directly monitor and audit the contractors’ performance ourselves. The purpose of the PAG concept was to give us the necessary level of assurance with respect to service delivery, performance measurement, benchmarking and cost control. PAG’s contract runs for five years with an optional extension of two years.”
What does the PAG do exactly?
“About two-thirds of the PAG consists of experts from multidisciplinary engineering consultancy firms, namely Halcrow and URS Scott Wilson, while the remaining members are accountants from PricewaterhouseCoopers. The PAG monitors and reviews the work of the operating companies. Transparency is a key aspect of PAG’s work. Accountability for public expenditure requires independent monitoring and assessment of the operating companies. PAG publishes its own annual report on the performance of the operating companies, and we can rely on the independence of that report. Over the years we have relied heavily on the PAG. It’s a Scottish concept, and the first of its kind as far as I know. It took a long time before other countries became aware of our model. The English are now procuring an assurance-type commission, and three years ago the Australians tendered a similar commission based on the principles of our model.”
“In Scotland we see better value for money, greater efficiency and innovations every year”
Who monitors the PAG?
“We conduct six-monthly performance assessments of all our suppliers using a common objective framework. We provide feedback in the form of a score, so the suppliers can benchmark themselves against the average supplier score for TS. Suppliers can also benchmark themselves within their own organization if they have several commissions with TS. The incentive for PAG in terms of performance is the opportunity it brings to extend the commission with the optional extension years.”
Do you believe outsourcing road maintenance would also be possible in other countries?
“In Scotland we see better value for money, greater efficiency and innovations every year. Compared to the second-generation contracts we’re saving about 10 percent per year. The contracts have been a success. We believe we have the right model for the network and supply chain in Scotland and we are quite happy with it. However, we are always looking for improvement and we aim to be an attractive client. Right now we’re busy with the procurement of the fourth-generation contracts and we are following the same model but with some developments. It is evolution rather than revolution. If other countries want to follow us, I advise them to install a PAG first. Our message: bringing in the private sector won’t solve all your problems overnight, but in the medium term you will get much better value for money.”
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info Bart Mante telephone +31 33 468 33 43 e-mail bart.mante@dhv.com
on location
The Netherlands
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DHVtimes 2010 / 2
Hybrid buses for urban transport
Hybrid buses will take to the streets of Enschede in January 2011. DHV has been involved in this project since the outset, overseeing the formation of the consortium, developing the project plan and preparing the grant application. DHV has also been responsible for project management on behalf of the commissioning client, Regio Twente. The low-noise, energy-efficient new buses are being introduced to promote innovation in public transport. The project, which is co-funded by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment, is a joint initiative of Regio Twente and the City of Enschede. They have entered into an international partnership with transport operator Connexxion, the University of Twente, vehicle manufacturer VDL Bus & Coach, Vossloh Kiepe (supplier of electric motors and transmission systems) and of course DHV. info Pieter Tanja telephone +31 33 468 30 19
foto: dhv
e-mail pieter.tanja@dhv.com
Infrastructure
news in brief
Mobility
photo: npc
photo: dhv
news in brief
An elevated expressway is being built to relieve Srinagar of traffic congestion.
The Transfer City concept will make a rail journey more convenient and more predictable.
Flyover solution for Srinagar
Transfer City makes rail travel more predictable
In Srinagar, capital of India’s northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir, massive traffic jams occur frequently in the Batamaloo and Lal Chowk districts of the city, which are transit areas for North and South Kashmir. Because there is no room for a new road on the ground, an elevated expressway (flyover) is being built to relieve the city of this congestion. The 2.5 kilometer long flyover project, with a minimum vertical clearance of 5.5 meters, passes through several landmark areas and tourist locations. The Economic Reconstruction Agency of the Jammu and Kashmir government commissioned DHV to prepare the detailed project report and tender documents for this express corridor. DHV’s work includes topography and traffic surveys, geotechnical investigations, preparation of the concept plan, general arrangement drawings, detailed design, land acquisition plan and bid documents. The state of Jammu and Kashmir is disputed by India and Pakistan. Curfews and closures of business activities are very common and slow down the work pace. The highly sensitive law and order situation makes the project implementation hazardous, and visits to the project site are generally made after a careful assessment of the local conditions. However, on one occasion, a team member made a narrow escape from a grenade attack. Despite these difficult conditions, the detailed project report was submitted last November.
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info Suresh Chand telephone +91 11 405 393 03 06 e-mail suresh.chand@dhv.com
The Dutch government asked a question: how can we encourage more people to travel by the train? NPC offered an answer in the form of Transfer City, a concept which will make a rail journey more convenient and more predictable. Every passenger arriving at a station by car, moped or bicycle has the same problem: where can I leave my vehicle where it is safe and secure, and still catch the train on time? Transfer City removes the uncertainty, offering physical solutions such as bicycle stores and parking places, as well as staff (known as ‘smooth operators’) who provide a valet parking service. Simply hand them your bike or car keys and they will do the rest. You then proceed directly to the platform using the travelator (moving pavement). When you return to the station at the end of the day, the smooth operator will retrieve your vehicle ready for the onwards journey home. The price of the service will vary according to how near to the station the passenger wishes his vehicle to be parked. NPC expects that the Transfer City concept will increase passenger numbers by some five per cent. The government has now allocated a research budget with which NPC will develop the concept in association with the design bureau KVD.
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info Marcel van Aarle telephone +31 30 272 73 70 e-mail marcel.vanaarle@npc.dhv.com
interview
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Peter Dijk, Amsterdam North/South Line
DHVtimes 2010 / 2
photo: dhv
“Everybody will like the North/South Line” Peter Dijk, Amsterdam North/South Line.
Barely a week after starting work in 2008, Peter Dijk, Managing Director of the Amsterdam North/South Line Project, was confronted by subsidence at two stations in the old city center. All work was halted. If he had not immediately intervened, the brand-new MD might have heard people whispering on the other side of his office window “What did I tell you? This entire metro line, straight through weak soil, along the foundations of these old buildings... it’s impossible.” But the word impossible is not in Dijk’s vocabulary and, as the man once in charge of the Betuwe rail freight line, he was used to overcoming setbacks. With the broad outlook of a manager of change, Dijk the lawyer and geologist (besides building and tendering law he studied hydrogeology), took stock of the situation and acted prudently. After a substantial reorganization, with extra time and money plus tight control of the project, the Netherlands’ most complex infrastructural work is now progressing favorably and more and more people are willing to believe in a metro that runs from Amsterdam North below the city center and on to Amsterdam South. Dijk: “When I joined this organization, which is spending € 3.1 billion of public money, it did not even have its own chief financial officer. I wasted no time in appointing one. What's more, the tasks had not been clearly assigned and everybody was working under great pressure because the project was not being properly controlled. Our first step was to put back the delivery date from 2015 to 2017 and the budget was increased by € 320 million. We then tackled control of the project. It took a lot of time and effort to get work moving again,
but now cooperation between all involved has been properly structured. There is greater calm in the organization and work is progressing towards completion. We are now in an exciting phase in which the deep earthwork will be carried out. Everything has been identified, from groundwater currents to building foundations and the stability of the excavations.”
as safe as possible
“It is entirely understandable that people who live in houses next to the excavations want to know whether everything is taking place safely, but we are not endangering anybody in the city. From risk management to the emergency organization and scope management – everything has been organized so efficiently that all work will be performed as safely as possible. Wherever possible we purposely opt for simple but effective solutions, because this operation is already complex enough. That is why we work only with experienced partners. DHV’s contribution includes managing interfaces in the work, which is an important aspect of a project with so many cooperating parties.
amsterdam’s north/south line
The North/South Line is a rail link under construction in the Amsterdam metro network. The line will run from Amsterdam North below the city center and onwards to the southerly business district called Zuidas. DHV is a dedicated partner of the North/South Line Project, providing specialists for construction of the metro. They work mainly on controlling the project, managing quality, scheduling, drafting specifications, managing local planning procedures, engineering systems and producing specialized recommendations.
Now that clarity exists about the financing, the timeline and the performance of the work, I want to deviate as little as possible from the spatial plans, because this is precisely the phase where changes always consume extra time and money. We still have another six tunnel tubes to go before we start arranging the transport system functionally. Support for the project in the community is growing because we take all concerns extremely seriously and intervene rapidly whenever necessary. But people also see that we are doing mountains of work. You'll see: everybody will like the North/South Line.”
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info Johan Hekker telephone +31 33 468 26 80 e-mail johan.hekker@dhv.com
vision
Ronald Siebrand, DHV
photo: dhv
More wheels on the same asphalt curriculum vitae Just as in other densely-populated regions of the world, mobility has been a scarce commodity in the Netherlands for many years. With the current cautious signs of economic recovery, I expect mobility to become even scarcer from 2011 onwards. The shelving of far-advanced plans for a national road pricing system means that the demand for mobility cannot be influenced. The increasing need for mobility can be absorbed by building extra infrastructure. But extra construction is no longer the obvious way forward now that public finances are in poor shape due to the global financial crisis. Better utilization of existing roads is the only remedy for the inevitable growth of traffic congestion.
A highly promising initiative directed at enhanced utilization is the improved harmonization of management and maintenance by road managers like central government and provincial authorities. The same goes for the further professionalization of management and maintenance by means of asset management, i.e. the effective usage, capacity utilization, management and maintenance of roads. Rijkswaterstaat could make the choice that others like industry have already made and
decide to outsource some asset management to external companies. Similarly, the use that motorists make of roads still offers possibilities for better utilization of the available asphalt. An initial step that could be taken is to influence human behavior by informing, routing, reserving and paying services. A step further is to reduce the human factor by means of in-car ICT technology. This technology enables communication between the vehicle and the road and also communication between vehicles. Using in-car ICT technology makes it possible to limit the human factor and give greater autonomy to the vehicle so as to utilize the road in a better way. There are still significant issues such as acceptance and liability. But technologically a lot is already feasible. It may still seem like utopia, but major ICT service providers are already working on turning this utopia into reality. No road pricing and less money for new roads: more wheels on the same asphalt will be possible
photo: dhv
Although the Dutch government will have to continue investing in the coming years in projects already in progress, I expect that the substantial spending cuts will delay the pace and scale of investments in infrastructure. Client Rijkswaterstaat (Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management) appears to be preparing for this situation by focusing on improved utilization of the existing Dutch road network. I see this same trend in other countries like the United Kingdom.
Ronald Siebrand is Leading Professional for infrastructure at DHV. He provides strategic advice to the national government on expenditure on large infrastructure projects.
only if we come up with innovative solutions. We are ready for the challenge.
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info Ronald Siebrand telephone +31 33 468 31 21 e-mail ronald.siebrand@dhv.com
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tips and service
The DHV Group is a leading engineering consultancy, known for top expertise and leadership in sustainability. We are renowned internationally for excellence, especially in the fields of Water and Transportation. We serve clients through local delivery of world-class solutions. The DHV Group operates through an integrated network of offices in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America.
cradle to cradle-festival
The first Cradle to Cradle®-Festival - Industrial Revolution will take place from January 26th 2011 till March 16th 2011 in Berlin, Germany. Under the banner ‘Blueprint Netherlands’, the Festival will celebrate the enormous success of Cradle to Cradle® worldwide and honour the Netherlands as a prime example to learn from. For more information, see: http://cradletocradlefestival.com.
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modernization of dhv head office
DHVTimes is published twice a year and is available free of charge. Meet us at www.dhvtimes.com or call +31 33 468 20 15.
editorial team Mirjam Soeterbroek (editor in chief), Peter Vlugt (editor), Suzanne van der Werf (project leader). P.O. Box 1132, 3800 BC Amersfoort, the Netherlands. Tel: +31 33 468 20 15, E-mail: dhvtimes@dhv.com. Other publications may use articles with prior permission and acknowledgement of DHVTimes as the source. translation DBF, Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. lay-out DHV, Shared Service Center Communications, Bert van Rootselaar. print Drukkerij Van Amerongen, Amersfoort.
photo: dhv
editorial board Machteld Blokhuis, Robin Hayes, Cheryl-Marie Hansberger, Tim Jeanné, Angela Marlet, Anneke ter Mors, Gea Peek, Sandra van Pernis, M.S. Prakash, Andreia Reis, Mirjam Soeterbroek. Guest editor: Marco Mijnders. In cooperation with Rob Groot and Anton van Renssen.
DHV’s Head Office building in Amersfoort has recently undergone a thorough renovation. Sustainability played an important part throughout this project. Energy consumption is now comparable to that of a brand new building: the interior climate control installations now operate more efficiently, while residual heat and moisture drawn from the air are recycled. The innovative design, engineering work and project management were all conducted ‘in house’ by DHV itself. The building’s new glass frontage allows more daylight to enter the building. Its blinds and awnings open and close automatically according to exterior conditions. The renovation has will reduce energy costs by some € 100,000 per annum.
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world solar challenge On the subject of electric vehicles... October 2011 will see the start of the eleventh World Solar Challenge, a race for vehicles powered solely by the sun. University teams from all parts of the world take part in the competition, which takes teams on a three thousand-kilometer route from Darwin in northern Australia to Adelaide in the south. For more information, see: www.worldsolarchallenge.org.
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photo: tu
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