Systra, BECA combine mobility forces

Rolling Stock and Manufacturing

The best of both mobility worlds

As Australia and New Zealand continue to undergo an infrastructure boom, regional engineering consultancy Beca and global transport mobility consultancy SYSTRA have joined forces in a strategic partnership.

Defined by commitment to a common cause, globally informed innovation drawn from their vast networks and locally delivered solutions by on-the-ground experts, the partnership aims to take clients’ transport outcomes to the next level.

Rail Express speaks to Beca Group Director for Transport and Infrastructure Dr Kevin Doherty (KD), and SYSTRA CEO and Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand, Alana Newbrook (AN), about the benefits of the newly-minted partnership.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE INDUSTRY NEEDS MOST TO DELIVER SUCCESSFULLY THROUGH FY23 AND BEYOND?

KD: “We’re currently in a heated talent market and will be for a while. The availability of people to do the work, and their ability to work together in alignment with clients will be crucial for success. If I could sum this up in one word – it’s collaboration.

In some ways we also need to go back to go forward; revisiting more collaborative models from earlier decades, and investing in each other’s success. Digital literacy and building trusted, sustainable and mutually beneficial relationships is essential.” AN: “An approach of leveraging complementary skill and expertise, bringing the industry’s resources together, and a culture that brings out the best of ourselves, partners and clients, is key to successful delivery. We need to move away from more tactical models of contractorclient relationships. Effective knowledge-sharing needs a mechanism in place whereby people are incentivised to share and uplift capability.”

WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING?

AN: “Digital transformation is defining our operating environment. Take for example a tender currently on the market from a major Australian infrastructure client, looking for a partner to build their digital twin environment. The supply chain needs to be ready.

Another key trend is changing contract models to support interoperability of digital solutions and the seamless flow of information through a project’s full lifecycle, unhindered by traditional commercial boundaries. This will allow stakeholders to add value from concept through to operation.” KD: “The ‘great resignation’ and attracting and retaining talent is a huge challenge right now – exacerbated over the past two years by COVID and closed borders. Fostering a culture of innovation and teamwork will be key to addressing this.

The rise of committed partnerships between industry players, such as Beca and SYSTRA, in contrast to more combative commercial environments, is another key trend. This will also assist with employee retention by fostering a more positive working environment.”

WHAT ROLE DO YOU SEE DIGITAL INNOVATION PLAYING?

KD: “Digital innovation is about taking our clients and their infrastructure projects into the digital sphere, to enhance collaboration and operational management.

We’re two organisations with broad and complementary skillsets in end-to-end rail infrastructure, from initial design to the operation and maintenance of physical assets. And then, taking that and moving it into the digital ecosystem.” AN: “Digital innovation is a key enabler for driving collaboration, alignment and connectedness. Digital also supports a more optimised customer experience and the move away from the ‘simple’ delivery of a piece of infrastructure, to creating liveable, connected communities.

Take our dedicated BIM (Building Information Modelling) department, who work with clients using digital tools to track and model their carbon footprint. The engineering and construction industries have traditionally been slow when it comes to digital innovation, with the exception of BIM. So, bringing more efficient ways to deliver projects and to the highest standards is critical.”

WHAT ARE THE GREATEST CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN 2022?

AN: “Transport disruption will continue during 2022, whether through increased uptake of EVs and changes to people’s movements (for eg. working from home).

This will present significant challenges to existing delivery models, and opportunities to pivot our approach.

Customer experience will be key through all of this, as people have come to expect a higher standard of service when leaving their house and moving around. They also want a seamless experience of digital integration, I.e. using their wi-fi on a train.

Likewise, we expect to see increased focus on ‘whole of journey’ mobility solutions - an area of great opportunity for the sector.” KD: “The shift towards smart infrastructure and cities is not going away. Plus, changing consumer behaviour and moves towards energy efficient, multimodal forms of transport such as walking, cycling and scooters will be key drivers to stay across in the year ahead.

Rail and light rail will continue to be very important in the future as essential elements of an integrated transport ecosystem.”

Beca is one of the Asia Pacific’s largest independent advisory, design and engineering consultancies. Beca has more than 3300 employees in 21 offices delivering projects in more than 70 countries. Beca prides itself in forging strong and meaningful relationships with the clients it serves.

SYSTRA is one of the world’s leading engineering and consulting groups, specialising in public transport and mobility solutions. SYSTRA has designed one out of every two metros in the world and delivered 50 per cent of the world’s high speed rail lines.

Dr Kevin Doherty from Beca.

Alana Newbrook from SYSTRA.