Novapoint Civil Construction

Editor:
Trine Jentoft Mortensen
tjm@vianova.no
Graphic Design:
Trine Jentoft Mortensen
tjm@vianova.no
PRINTED BY: GD GRUPPEN Danmark
Contents:
Leader s. 3
Geotechnics and Novapoint s. 4
Highway 44 s. 6
Novapoint use in Denmark s. 11
Novapoint goes offshore s. 14
Importing laserscan data files s. 17 7
Rovaniemi city s. 18
Tallinn Techical University
New double track in Norway -
s. 19
“all in 3D” s. 20
Novapoint Civil Construction s. 24
New Airport in Faeroe Islands s. 28
Belgian TucRail s. 31
Novapoint in France s. 32
Norway
Vianova Systems AS
www.vianovasystems.no
Denmark
Vianova Systems Denmark AS
www.vianova.dk
Sweden
Vianova Systems Sweden AB
www.vianova.se
Finland
Vianova Systems Finland OY
www.vianova.fi
Latvia
Vianova Systems Latvia SIA
www.vianova.lv
Spain
Vianova Systems Spain SL
www.vianova.es
France
Vianova Systems France SAS
www.vianova-systems.fr
England
Vianova Systems UK LTD
www.vianovasystems.co.uk
Thailand
Vianova Systems AS, Thailand
www.vianova.co.th
Vietnam
Vianova Systems Vietnam Ltd.
www.vianova.com.vn
Benelux
GEOMAP
www.geomapgis.com
Novanews on the Web:
www.novapoint.com
L E A D E R
Merete Tøndel, Vianova Systems, Managing Director
Revolutionary stimulation packages as a result of the financial
crisis demands an overall transportation policy. This is discussed
in The Economist from June 20th 2009. The following interesting
statement could be read: ”An integrated system for planning –
one that includes passenger rail, freight, highways and mass
transport – does not exist. Full analyses of projects’ costs or benefits
are rare”. And finally: ”There may be a new vision for transport,
but it will never progress until someone is willing to pay for
it”… Think about this for a moment …
The article is about the USA, but it might as well have been written
here in the Northern countries and Europe. These are challenges
that must be addressed by the entire business. Our vision
is to finish what has been seen as the greatest challenge in the
transportation sector in the USA, but we need help. We have used
the technology for the Norwegian Public Road Administration, The
Norwegian National Rail Administration and the Norwegian
Mapping Authorities. The Road Administration has first of all put
their faith in us, and is a main contributor for us being where we
are today. In addition private developers have, and Skanska
should be mentioned first of all, shown us that they are willing to
order and pay!
… Northern roads take lives. This alone is an argument for us to
build more and safer roads and it has to be done fast. Good roads
are also an important condition for a hard pressured Northern
industry. This is why the Northern authorities have said clearly
that they will use several extra billions on roads, and that we will
use modern building methods to finish them twice as fast as
today.
This business has been given an especially large responsibility in
the financial crisis! The business is also facing great challenges in
their way of doing things. The seniors in this house are talking
lively about when the transportation business went from drawings
to CAD. Now everybody is talking about the model, and here we
will work together with you as our customer to develop the best
way of working. Our goal is for you to take the step!
From July 1st, we will be sole distributor of Novapoint in Norway
and Sweden. We then have the same distribution model in all
countries. The main reason for this choice is that we want to get
closer to you as a customer. We want to be present at the desks
of users and decision-makers, and give you advice on everything
connected to a total delivery of software within infrastructure.
Many of our employees have heavy experience in road construction-
almost 300 years altogether. In addition, we have close to
700 years of total experience in software development for the
infrastructure!
Takes you there!
Merete Tøndel
Take the step!
3

Novapoint GeoSuite Toolbox offers a wide range of tools
for geotechnical engineers for the modelling and presentation
of ground investigations.
The program pack is the result of a Norwegian/Swedish
cooperation financed by NFR and via funds provided by
the Norwegian project partners in the GeoSuite project.
The partners represent both the private, public, university
and college environments within geotechnical engineering
in Norway and include NGI,
Multiconsult, The Directorate
of Public Roads, GeoVita,
NTNU and SINTEF and the IT
companies Vianova Systems
AS, Vianova GeoSuite AB
and the AutoGRAF association
in Sweden. The
AutoGRAF association brings
together around 90% of the
geotechnical environment in
Sweden. The project began
with phase 1 which started in
2003 and has moved on from
1 January 2007 to phase 2,
which will be completed in 2009.
4

Jan Ludvigsson, Vianova GeoSuite
Vianova GeoSuite AB is the company in the Vianova
network which has geotechnical engineering as its
competence area. The company is located in
Stockholm and manages and carries out the majority
of the programming work. It is linked to the
ViaNova network through ViaNova Systems AS,
which is co-owner of the company. The AutoGRAF
user association and the GeoSuite project in
Norway are represented on the company’s board,
to ensure high technical understanding and competence.
The GeoSuite project has, through bringing together
cooperative partners both in Sweden and
Norway, succeeded in creating new products and in
further developing existing products to become the
complete and powerful program package Novapoint
GeoSuite Toolbox, which is designed specifically for
the professional geotechnical engineering environment
in Scandinavia. Novapoint GeoSuite Toolbox
consists of GS Presentation for data administration
and for the presentation of geotechnical investigations
and the four calculation programs GS Stability
for stability calculations, GS Settlement for settlement
calculations, GS Pile Groups for pile group calculations
and GS Supported Excavations for sheet
pile calculations.
The first version was launched in the summer of
2006 and since then the program package has been
extensively adopted both in Sweden and Norway.
All large players in the market are customers. We
can, in addition to the project partners, mention
customers such as Rambøll, WSP, Sweco VBB and
the Swedish Road Administration. Parts of the program
package have been used in project work and
education at for example NTNU and Chalmers.
More than 300 licences have been sold in Sweden
and Norway. The number of users is however much
more than this figure indicates, as most licences
are network licences.
Courses are offered at several locations in Norway
and Sweden. In Sweden alone more than 770
participants
have taken part in settlement calculation
courses so far in 2007. 7
GEOSUITE TOOLBOx
GS (GeoSuite) Toolbox has a simple program
superstructure which handles general project data,
GS Archive, in which new assignments/projects are
set up. Project handling maintains control of your
project and shows what has been completed in the
project, which documents are included in the project
and starts the tools which are required to carry
out calculations and data administration.
The central product in the program package is GS
Presentation. All geotechnical investigations which
are carried out in a project are saved and administered
here. Data is normally input via raw data files
from field investigations, which is then presented in
AutoCAD/Novapoint after being edited. GS
Presentation is integrated with Novapoint Roads
and Terrain, which makes it a rational tool for the
geotechnical engineer in day to day operations.
Data is processed, interpreted and transferred to
the road and terrain model in GS Presentation,
which in turn means that geotechnical profiles can
recover data in the form of calculated models of
(for example) rock surfaces in a profile. The rock
profile can be generated with data from the geotechnics,
but also from other data sources such as
maps, surveying data, interpreted orthophotos etc.
GS Presentation replaces the earlier product
GeoPlot as from version 17. 7 This however means
that old data no longer can be used. Old data can
be input into new projects directly from existing
GeoPlot projects.
The calculation program can be used as a free
standing calculation program without the use of
AutoCAD without problem. However, links to
Novapoint can be used to obtain valuable information
and help to retrieve geometry in the form of
terrain models and borehole profiles as the basis for
building up soil type model at a calculation point.
INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT MORE?
For more information, visit Novapoint’s web site!
Contact person details and product sheets, course
information, user support and other information are
also available here.
Go to:
www.novapoint.no, or
www.novapoint.se
If you want to find out more about geotechnics in
Novapoint, please contact:
Kristin Lysebo, Vianova Systems AS,
Sandvika, Norway, tlf (+47) 67 81 70 00
e-mail: kristin.lysebo@vianova.no
or
Jan Ludvigsson, Vianova GeoSuite AB,
Solna, Sweden, tlf (+46) 08-27 69 90
e-mail: jan.ludvigsson@geosuite.se
5

Novapoint Virtual Map is developed such that the model can be organised in groups and with the option to turn
these off and on. A road surface can therefore be switched off to view the infrastructure under the ground.
6

Highway 44
Today’s highway 44 through the centre of the town of Klepp in the Jæren district of Norway has a
traffic volume of approximately 12,000 vehicles per day. The Norwegian Public Roads
Administration decided in 2003 to build a by-pass to lead through-traffic around the centre, to
improve traffic safety, the environment and accessibility.
Asbjørn Hagen, ViaNova Plan og Trafikk
TOTAL CONTRACT
The Norwegian Public
Roads Administration
has chosen to implement
the project as a
total contract. This
type of contract type
is becoming increasingly
common within
road construction.
The Norwegian Public
Roads Administration
enters into an agreement
with a contractor
for the planning
and construction of a
road section.
Operation and maintenance
after completion
of the project
is not normally
included in these contracts. OPS contracts, which
we are familiar with from the E39 Trøndelag motorway
and the E18 Sørlandet motorway, can be considered
to be an expanded total contract. These
contracts include financing and operation/maintenance
for 25 years after opening, which are in addition
to the assignments in the total contract.
In a total contract, the project is planned and built
in accordance with the requirements which The
Norwegian Public Roads Administration has specified
in the tender documentation. Adopted development
plans and relevant road standards and municipal
guidelines form an important part of this basis.
The Norwegian Public Roads Administration as
developer makes the final decision on solutions via
approving drawings.
There are several positive aspects associated with
total contracts:
• This type of contract promotes interaction
between planning and execution. Time is to a
much greater extent used on development of
better solution rather than on contractual dis-
cussions. The developer’s main task will primarily
include contract follow up and solution
approval.
• Experience shows that there is a strong focus in
total contracts on project progress.
Implementation times are therefore significantly
reduced when compared with a normal developer
managed contract. In other words, it takes
significantly less time from planning start to
completion where structured as a total contract
as opposed to a normal contract. Total contracts
give completed roads in ‘record time’.
However, there is a risk that too little time is allocated
to the optimalization and selection of solutions.
A positive development would be if The
Norwegian Public Roads Administration managed
project planning in the tender documentation in a
better way than we have so far seen. It should be
stipulated in the contract that there should be a
period at the start of the project that only should be
used for planning work. The milestone should be
approved work documentation. The road construction
work could then begin.
COMPETITIVE TENDERING
The tender period extended from May to August
2006. Competition was very intense. However,
Skanska won the assignment and construction was
started on approximately 1 December in the same
year.
ViaNova has participated in a planning group which
has a contract with Skanska for the planning of the
road project. The planning group, which is led by
Dr. ing. A. Aas-Jakobsen, has participated in the
offer phase and is now preparing working drawings
and survey data as a documentation for construction
site implementation.
The assistance provided to Skanska in the tender
phase included the preparation of offer drawings
and volume calculations. After entering into a contract
and a brief optimalization phase, the detail
7

planning work was started. The first working drawings
were delivered on approximately 1 December
2006, one month after start up. Project completion
is 15 December 2007. 7 I.e. only one year from the
detail planning start to project completion.
ThE PROJECT
The road project
includes approximately
4 km of new
highway 44, approximately
2 km of local
roads and a similar
length of footpaths.
A rock tunnel, three
bridges and four
underpasses are
included in the project.
There is in addition
a significant
amount of municipal
line re-routing.
The rock tunnel has
been stipulated to Normal profile surface section
protect the valuable
recreational area by Kleppelunden. The road would
probably otherwise have been planned as a surface
road on the west side of ridge if this condition had
not been included.
The road section has three crossings which are
designed as roundabouts.
Dimensioning traffic 20 years
after opening is estimated to
be 18,000 AADT. At this traffic
volume level, the road should
be designed as a four lane
road with central reservation.
The tunnel should, in accordance
with standards, have
two shafts with two lanes in
each direction. The Norwegian
Public Roads Administration
has approved an exemption from road and tunnel
standards and set the road standard to a wide two
lane road with central barrier.
Tunnel cross section T10.5 is selected to achieve a
1.5 m separation zone in the centre of the tunnel.
Barriers are not acceptable in a tunnel, as this
would hinder evacuation in the event of an accident.
PLANNING
The project is planned digitally using the different
professional modules in Novapoint. Organisation of
8
drawings and folder structure follows The
Norwegian Public Roads Administration’s PROF
standard. A digital terrain model is set up based on
digital maps and supplementary surveying data
along the entire route. The surveying was carried
out by Skanska Survey.
The OPS project E39
Klett - Bårdshaug in
the county of Sør-
Trøndelag and the
tender phase for
OPS E18 Grimstad -
Kristiansand has
allowed ViaNova to
develop a strong
cooperation with
Skanska. This cooperation
continues in
this project.
Cooperation has
contributed to the
development of
both planning
methodology and
software. A modern road construction site with GPS
controlled machines and equipment needs much
more comprehensive surveying data than was previously
the norm. Road models have been supplied
for all roads, both road surfaces and formations.
Surveying data has in addition been prepared in kof
format for all lines, manholes,
lighting foundations, sign foundations,
cable trenches etc.
Surveying data in the form of
goals from a reference line has as
far as possible been avoided.
A work procedure where the
solutions are verified in a 3D
model is required if satisfactory
cross-profession co-ordination
and survey data control is to be
achieved. Controls carried out in
the ‘old fashioned’ way in 2D using associated
height calculations can no longer be accepted, as
the solution also must be cross-profession checked
in x, y, z. A cross profession VR model was therefore
set up immediately after start, using Novapoint
Virtual Map. All professional areas plan digitally and
deliver data to the VR model co-ordinator, who
updates this continuously. The solutions are
checked/evaluated in the VR model in cross-profession
meetings and changes are agreed. Revised
solutions are prepared based on the review which is
updated and then reviewed again in the VR model.
This process continues until the ‘right’ solution is
Design of the north tunnel portal

arrived at. This is therefore a cross-profession iteration
process up to the delivery of working drawings
and surveying data. Surveying data should not
be delivered to the construction site before this is
checked in the VR model. The working method is
fully dependant on these procedures being followed
and that no one takes ‘short cuts’ and delivers data
to the construction site without it being checked in
the 3D model. The VR model only contains planned
data. Data shown in the VR model therefore always
corresponds with surveying data and working drawings.
The solutions are evaluated and checked in the
VRmodel, including the following:
• Aesthetics
• Technical solutions
• Alignment
• Visibility control
• Geometric deviations
• Conflicts between the different site components
(foundations, lines, manholes, etc.)
Novapoint Virtual Map is developed such that the
model can be organised in groups and with the
option to turn these off and on. A road surface can
therefore be switched off to view the infrastructure
under the ground.
ExAMPLES OF ThE USE OF ThE VR MODEL IN
PLANNING
Evaluation of alignment and visibility
Picture from the VR model of Braut roundabout.
Geometric control
Any geometric deviations between adjacent roads
are checked. I.e. legs which meet at a crossing.
Transition between the road model for highway
44and the road model for circulation area in roundabout
Cable, line constructions and foundations
Road infrastructure such as cable ducts, duct covers,
line trenches, drains, sand traps, lighting mast
foundations etc. are located in the same narrow
corridor between the edge of the road and the outer
ditch edge. Collisions between the different constructional
elements can easily occur. The VR model
therefore is actively used to choose a solution and
check that selected positioning does not result in
conflicts with other systems.
Bilde fra VR-modellen
under vegbanen
Bridge constructions
The same applies in areas with constructions.
Novapoint Bru is used in the planning of all constructions.
The bridge project is transferred from
here to the VR model, where it is checked that
bridge geometry corresponds with road-geometry
and that bridge foundations do not come into conflict
with other systems.
Bridge at
Grudevarden.
Systems above
and below the
road surface.
Tunnel
The tunnel model is set up by using Novapoint Bru
and input into the VR model for control. The tunnel
model is also used to generate geometric cross sections
and data for the control unit on tunnel boring
equipment. We have cooperated with Bever Control
in the calculation of this data.
9

Sign positioning
Final positioning of signs
along a road is normally carried
out in-situ. Sign positioning
in this project was
however set using the VR
model. All signs were
entered with correct text
and size and the positioning
was determined based on
visibility requirements and
relevant guidelines for
signs. The VR model provides
a good basis for evaluating
sign positioning.
Planning permission processing
The VR model is in addition
used for providing information
on the project in planning
permission applications.
Still pictures are
extracted from the model
and enclosed with the application.
VR MODEL AVAILABLE TO ThE ENTIRE PRO-
JECT ORGANISATION
Each time the VR model is updated, it is copied to
the project hotel. This is then available to all project
participants including planning, execution and
development personnel.
Use of the model at the construction site helps
understand and plan execution of road construction.
VR MODEL AS FDV DOCUMENTATION
The VR model can provide a useful supplement to
the traditional ‘As Built’ documentation.
Visualisation of the infrastructure which is concealed
under road surfaces, behind tunnel walls etc.
will make work easier for those who in the future
are looking for information on the installation.
What form the VR model for highway 44 should be
delivered with other FDV documentation for the
construction site has not been not clarified with The
Norwegian Public Roads Administration.
10
Water/waste water in tunnel
Sign positioning inside and
outside the tunnel
PROJECT hOTEL
As companies in the project
group, contractors and the developer
are geographically separated,
a project hotel based on the
Internet is used for exchanging
reports, drawings and surveying
data. This is structured so there
is an area for delivery for
approval and an area for
approved working documentation.
Contractors and planning
personnel in addition have their
own area for internal exchange of
planning data, surveying data
etc.
The drawings are in dwf format
and are plotted and distributed
directly to the construction site.
EVALUATION
This it the first road project in
Norway with such extensive use
of 3D models throughout the planning and construction
phase. There is little doubt that this type
of aid is necessary if increasing requirements for
deliveries and detailed working document are to be
met. Greater knowledge and overview of project
solutions will ensure better execution and reduce
the extent of errors. The model increases understanding
of the construction site and improves the
documentation used in the evaluation of alternatives,
solution decisions and the planning of different
work operations.
The model is also an important tool in satisfying the
requirements for external information.
We have come a long way in this project. However,
several improvements can be implemented in the
next project. Not least reducing the threshold for
use of the model. It should be very natural to
access the 3D model when problems linked to the
project are to be discussed by the developer and
contractor. The model should be used extensively
and actively at the construction site as an aid in the
planning of work operations and as a supplement
for working drawings.
Development is moving towards planning directly in
3D models, as we see in other sectors such as
building and offshore. We have not had the same
level of development within road construction. One
of the reasons for this is the length of the construction
area and continuous changes in the interface
towards neighbouring areas, terrain, ground
conditions etc.

By Cert. Lecturer, engineer
Manager of the Road and Traffic engineering
Laboratory at Vitus Bering, Denmark.
Niels Leo Buch Christensen and Stud. Tech. Tina Jonsen
The Novapoint road
planning project program
has been used for several years
by students at VIA University College,
Denmark in Horsens in their road projects.
The institution currently has 30 network
licences for Novapoint 17.00. 7
Use of the program is taught in the traffic and road technology
courses VEJ B2 and VEJ B3.
11

VIA University College
Denmark offers a
unique range of programs
from upper
secondary school studies
to advanced programs,
courses, refresher
courses and
diploma programs.
Our competence
areas are:
• Construction
• Industry and IT
• Marketing, export
and management
• Pedagogics
There is extensive
co-operation with the
business world
The common denominator of our complete range of
courses and programs is that they are focussed on
the relevant professions and are therefore aimed at
the business world. To ensure this approach is
maintained and developed, we co-operate as much
as possible with the business world and other educational
institutions both nationally and internationally.
Co-operation is through development assignments,
formal research co-operation, knowledge centre
activities and the exchange of students and projects
that strengthen the interaction between education
and the business world, for the benefit of
both parties.
EDUCATION
As constructional engineers, you will take part in
and contribute to the development of the physical
environment which surrounds us all. Your knowledge
and insight will be used to build up and create
new frameworks. It is the constructional engineer
12
who has the overview,
no matter whether he
or she is working with
bridges and road construction,
port construction,
industrial
buildings, housing,
clean drinking water or
the cleaning of waste
water.
Between 15 and 20
new engineers who
have specialized in
road and civil engineering
graduate each
year. All these students
have worked with
Novapoint in their
studies.
16 students in the autumn of 2005 have taken the
special course VEJ B2. The course covers roads and
paths in the open landscape and ends with a student
project in which students design a proposal for
a bypass around a small town.
The students, after completing the course, will be
able to apply for jobs in road related companies and
will have great insight into the program's road planning
capabilities.
Students work with conditions and theme selection
for the generation of height module analysis and
triangular and square grid models are calculated
and produced in TMOD.
Proposals for road alignment are specified and the
program calculates a proposal with transition
curves in AutoCad/Novapoint before a proposal for
vertical alignment is prepared.
Work is then continued in VIPS on cross section
design and dimensioning of the ballast layer.

Road gradient is calculated and is drawn into the
project so that the new bypass and its extension
are verified.
Draining conditions are then handled comprehensively
and volume calculations can be carried out.
Triangular models across the road can be generated
and surfaces can overlaid.
In course VEJ B3, students use the program for
crossing design including priority crossings and
roundabouts. The program is a very strong tool in
this work and the first design proposals can be prepared
relatively quickly.
The option to edit the first proposals for different
types of crossings can be tested and also used in
the course.
The program is in addition used in student projects
where relevant. The students therefore obtain
increased insight through this into the program's
capabilities and are given the opportunity to test
the different program elements. Individual study
increases greatly through student projects.
Many projects at VIA University College Denmark
are carried out in co-operation with the business
world. We can mention:
• Bypass at Nørre Snede
• Motorway connections at Brande
• Bording – Funder Motorway
• Development planning at Høgelsbjerg, Aabenraa
Tina Jonsen has chosen to specialize within the
road construction area at VIA University College
Denmark.
She has completed the 2 special courses within the
area, carried out a road related project in her 6th
term and has just submitted her final dissertation
which contained a road engineering proposal.
‘My interest in the road engineering area started in
the middle of the program, when we had the option
to choose road engineering subjects. My interest
has increased from this point, not least through my
participation in Vejforum, a road engineering
forum, where I really began to understand how
many opportunities the subject area offered’, says
Tina Jonsen.
‘I have chosen to use Novapoint in my project as a
primary planning tool. This has eased my workload
significantly, particularly in the drawing of different
crossing design proposals. I have in addition used
the program in the drawing of new centre lines and
longitudinal profiles and regularly used the function
for drawing area requirements curves for the different
vehicles.’
‘The greatest benefits from using Novapoint are
that it is quick to change parameters in project proposals.
Preparing a new proposal therefore does
not take long. The program has many functions
which minimise manual work and therefore does
save a lot of time’, adds Tina Jonsen.
IMPROVEMENTS IN NOVAPOINT 17
Production of horizontal and vertical alignment has
been extended and improved in relation to previous
versions.
In VIPS, 3D or the perspective section has in particular
been improved since the last version.
The new option that allows network licences to be
loaned out for shorter or longer periods of time will
probably mean that is more widely used in students
projects in the coming years.
13

Ronny Rostad, ViaNova Systems
Vianova Systems AS has in the course of
the last year provided assistance with the
planning of offshore pipelines.
FIRST CONTACT wITh ThE OFFShORE
ENVIRONMENT
A little over two years ago a colleague and I visited
Det Norske Veritas (DNV) in Høvik to demonstrate
14
how Novapoint could be used to assist subsea
pipeline planning. Two years later, DNV contacted
us asking for assistance with a project.
DNV’s experience from the first project was so positive
that they decided to enter into a framework
agreement with Vianova to use both our competence
and not least our software in a number of
future projects. At the moment we are participating
in three projects of this type.

PIPELINES
Pipeline geometry has a great deal in common with
roads. The horizontal geometry is built up of
straight lines and curves with tangential transitions
between the elements. Vertical geometry is however
a result of the sea floor terrain and pipe stiffness.
There are limitations on unsupported span length
and the sharpness of bends in the vertical profile.
We try to find a route along which the pipe can be
placed directly on the sea floor, so avoiding expen-
Ill: FMC Technologies
Study of Subsea Field
sive measures such as embankments and excavations
on the sea floor. The optimal route is therefore
the shortest route between two points, which at the
same time provides a potential vertical profile.
You perhaps think that the sea floor is in general
flat and that the shortest route must therefore be a
straight line. However, it is not. Subsidence and
slides ensure the picture is very different. Sea
floors shaped by icebergs are an even more exotic
15

Trenches and craters formed by icebergs and natural gas releases
sight. The icebergs scrape down into the sea floor
and generate deep trenches. Natural gas releases
also occur, which cause local subsidence and the
formation of small but deep craters. These craters
can typically be 60-100 meters in diameter with a
depth of 77-10
meters, while trenches are typically
40-80 meters wide and 3-10 meters deep.
Both these natural phenomena affect the sea floor
terrain and so determine where pipelines can be
laid. There are in addition many existing pipelines
and installations to take into consideration.
TERRAIN DATA
Sea floor terrain data is supplied, as for data from
laserscan on land, as text files with coordinates.
Surveying is carried out from special ships
equipped with advanced echo sounders. The number
of points generated is large and could not have
been handled without the new laserscan handling
function. In one project we are working on, we are
handling 14 million points. Contours are generated
with the function ‘Draw contours from grid model’
from the point data.
16
wORKING MEETINGS
Almost all planning has been carried out at working
meetings where, using video projectors, we have
been able to test out and at the same time search
for the best solutions.
Novapoint’s ability to maintain an overview of
angles, lengths and radius combined with quick
generation of terrain profiles means that decisions
are taken more quickly than previously and that
more alternatives can be evaluated. Novapoint
saves time, but more importantly promotes cooperation
which results in more optimal positioning of
the pipeline.
Drawings and reports are prepared after the working
meetings. We have also used Virtual Map to
visualize the different alternatives. Our experience
has been that including the contours in 3D-visualization
provides a much clearer representation of
the floor.
3D-visualisation has first and foremost been created
to be used during planning. Technical information
has therefore been prioritised before the creation
of a visually beautiful model.
Øystein Holth from Det Norske
Veritas examines the pipe route VM with contours

IMPORTING
LASERSCAN DATA FILES
Kristin Lysebo, ViaNova Systems
Laserscan data file handling is a new function in
Novapoint 17. 7 The function operates as follows.
Laserscan data files in XYZ format are analysed,
converted and saved as grid files on the terrain
model. The only data which is saved in the terrain
model itself is a framework for each grid file. This
framework contains a link to each grid file. The
benefit of this method is that it provides the opportunity
to use laserscan data in the terrain model,
which in turn makes it possible to handle very large
data volumes very quickly. The method has been
tested in several projects with good results.
When you select Laserscan data files, a dialogue is
displayed in which you can select type of file, file
coordinate system and standard values such as grid
size, group number and theme code. It is also possible
to interpret heights in the file as depths.
You can enter grid size, group no. and theme code
values in the white fields. You can also ‘drag' the
values from one field to another field in a column as
in Excel.
ANALYSIS
Pointing on the analyse button outside a file starts
an analysis of the selected file based on a given grid
size. The analysis generates a report, the most
interesting aspects being the relationship between
‘Number of grids > 1 point’ and ‘Proportion of
empty grids’. Experience from projects in which this
method has been used indicates that the parameter
‘Number of grids > 1 point’ should be approximately
10-15 %. The value of ‘Number of empty
grids’ ideally should not be larger than 50-60%.
This means that you must try different grid sizes to
find the optimal size. Grid size can only be specified
to one decimal place.
The contents of the grid file can also be previewed.
Colours are used to indicate height differences.
Pressing S in preview mode displays statistical
information, the per cent distributions of grids (vertical
axis) and number of points in a grid (horizontal
axis) being displayed.
As mentioned previously, the data generated will be
placed in grid files (*.rut) on the terrain model, with
only a framework in the terrain model linking this to
the grid file. ‘Display / Editing’ in a terrain model
will in this case appear as below:
You can use all the standard functions in Novapoint
which read data from the terrain model. This
includes functions for generating terrain cross sections,
longitudinal terrain sections, line construction
in Novapoint Roads and all functions under
Novapoint and Terrain Information. You can also
draw maps from the terrain model as previously.
Triangulation will not however work with this
method and neither will the generation of grid file
based on data stored in the terrain model.
17

18
The city of Rovaniemi has
piloted a software that produces
information for planning
street and road network
maintenance. The IRIS-RDA
system that gathers information
on the condition on
roads has been jointly
designed by city of
Rovaniemi, Vianova Systems
Finland and Roadscanners.
IRIS-RDA consists of Vianova´s
Novapoint IRIS system along with Street
Doctor software for street and road network
condition analysis and Road Doctor
for Administration (RDA) system for
procurements, both products of
Roadscanners.
a came up when Rovaniemi City merged
with neighboring Rovaniemi rural municipality
to form the larger Rovaniemi
municipality. The two municipalities’
registers were merged under one system
and the Vire greenery register was
added.
- Rovaniemi has been using
Roadscanners’ StreetDoctor/RDA-system
for the structural and operational
mapping of the street network since as
far back as 1999. Now this data can be
directly uploaded into the IRIS street
register. With the help of the IRIS-RDA
system we are able to proceed from the
street network level upward to the level
of project management and further to

quality management and decision-making levels,
says Roadscanners Managing Director Timo
Saarenketo.
- IRIS-RDA software represents data in map views
instead of tables. Now we are also able to get video
or still images of the targets. Updating information
is simple when the changes are immediately registered
into the system. The database structure of
the system ensures that that all users have access
to the information”, comments Arvo Seppälä from
the Rovaniemi City´s Technical Department.
Now the ability to share data from different software
enables improvements in planning structural
improvements, rebuilding roads and more efficient
procurement.
“The great advantage of the system is that now
Rovaniemi is always up-to date regarding the condition
of its street network. This supports the lifecycle
approach, as we are able to see when and
where repairs will be needed next and how the
maintenance backlog is developing”, sums up Timo
Saarenketo.
The RDA-system is the central part of the Finnish
Road Administration’s new eUrakka electronic procurement
system for contractors. RDA connects the
internal information systems of the Finnish Road
Administration and searches in them for all the
information that contractors require. The integrated
IRIS-RDA system makes it possible to arrange open
pitches, for example, on paving contracts together
with the Finnish Road Administration.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Timo Saarenketo, Roadscanners +358 16 4200 521
Arvo Seppälä, City of Rovaniemi +358 16 322 6311
Jari Niskanen Vianova Systems Finland +358 40
568 2643
Tallinn
Technical University
received a workstation and Software
donation courtesy of Vianova Finland
and Ramboll
The Tallinn Techical University‘s road department
has been given eight AutoCAD workstations together
with relevant software jointly by the Finnish
Vianova Systems and Ramboll. The donation
involved Dell-workstations with preinstalled
AutoCAD Map3D and Novapoint 17.0 7 software.
- In their studies up to now the students have only
had access to very modest workstations. This donation
allows us to expand the education we give to
new areas, such as traffic management and designing
municipal infrastructure as well to noise level
calculations, says professor Andrus Aavik at the
Tallinn Technical University road department.
- The new software will enhance the engineering
skills we provide, the quality of our design and
overall project management. Another significant
benefit is that Novapoint is widely used in Estonia
and elsewhere in Europe. Employment opportunities
are much better if our student master this software
when they graduate.
According to managing directors Hillar Varik of
Ramboll Estonia and Ivari Soome from Arutec, the
designing of roads and crossings is much faster as
the computers and software make the analyses of
different options easier.
- Professional software reduce the volume of routine
operations and automate a number of labourintensive
tasks, such as design and visualization.
This leads to projects that are better thought-out,
error-free and most significantly much faster, says
Hillar Varik.
The idea for this sponsorship came when the two
companies became concerned with the problems
related to road-design civil engineers’ graduation.
Ramboll Eesti and Arutec have committed themselves
to further support to this university program.
- Our main objective is to help raise the professional
level of specialist graduates, says Ivari Soome.
-Ramboll Group is a leading Nordic consulting company
that has long been present in the growing
Estonian market. Ramboll Eesti AS was established
in spring 2006. The company provides design, construction,
product development and maintenance
consultation and specialist services in a number of
industries.
Arutec OÜ specializing in IT was founded in 1995,
and since 2006 the company has been part of
Vianova Systems Finland Oy and the Vianova
Systems network. Arutec is a reseller for Autodesk
and Vianova Systems software, and it offers both
training and consultation for (Auto)CAD users. The
company has a stable clientele within Estonian construction
companies and engineering and architectural
agencies.
19

New double track Lysaker-S
Torbjørn Tveiten, ViaNova Plan og Trafikk
Lysaker west surface section with new Lysaker station
20
we have, in association with planning
the new double tracks between
Lysaker and Sandvika, had the opportunity
to make our dream of ‘ALL IN
3D’ come true. In this article we can
look at whether we really managed to
realize this dream

andvika – ‘All in 3D’
PROJECT
Aas-Jakobsen/ViaNova started the planning work
for a new double railway track between Lysaker
and Sandvika in 2004. Our work was linked to the
Lysaker west and Sandvika east surface sections.
The Lysaker west surface section includes level
separated branching of the Asker line and required
re-routing and reconstruction of the Drammen
line. New double tracks should pass through a
concrete tunnel and onwards into a rock tunnel to
Engervannet in Sandvika. The work also includes
co-ordination with the new Lysaker station work.
The Sandvika east surface section includes a new
four track surface section and level separated
branching for a new double track in rock eastwards
towards Lysaker.
21

Sandvika east surface section: Early version of the model
BACKGROUND
The development of a 3D model was initially not a
part of the agreement with The Norwegian
National Rail Administration. In a separate meeting
with The Norwegian National Rail
Administration it was discussed whether to use
this type of technology and working methodology
in the work. We and The Norwegian National Rail
Administration both saw the potential and the
many opportunities it could offer and it was therefore
agreed to initially establish models for both
the surface sections (Lysaker west and Sandvika east).
The start point of this work was the setting up of
models of the substructure. This work should also
be started immediately so that the basic model
was ready by the time the first track plan version
was completed.
TEChNOLOGY AND CONTENTS
The work started immediately. It was decided that
Novapoint Virtual Map should be used as a tool.
This is a quick and efficient tool for updating the
model as planning work progresses and is simple
for all parties to use. Procedures for working with
the model for the different professional areas were
set up, so that we could include all constructions
directly into the model and generate an updated
model in a short space of time.
The existing situation for both surface sections
was set up using existing maps and associated
orthophotos. It was also agreed to incorporate
planned elements continuously, such as:
• Track geometry
• All constructions (portals, tunnels, walls etc)
• Fences/railings
• Vegetation planting plans
• Road geometry and emergency service areas
• Railway engineering installations such as KL
masts and cable ducts
• Rig areas
The model was initially used at internal working
meetings with The Norwegian National Rail
22
Sandvika east surface section: Demo construction model
Administration as a basis for discussions and to
quality control solutions. It was in addition used to
extract still pictures from agreed view points to
present the different solutions.
The model was used more and more actively and
updated continuously as the planning work progressed.
We, working with The Norwegian National
Rail Administration, saw several opportunities to
expand the model geographically, its content and
not least into more areas of application.
The work was expanded, at the request of the
Norwegian National Rail Administration, to include:
• The option to drive through the entire section.
Entire tunnel sections should therefore be
modelled including all details such as niches,
fans, suspended masts, emergency tele
phones, block telephones and other installations
in the tunnel.
• Establish routes for different types of train
• Construction models for all rig areas including
transverse tunnels with loading stations
• New Lysaker station. Basis was received from
Cowi, who had set up a model of the station
previously
• All main signals, repeat signals and dwarf
signals for the stations
• All markers
• DVD film for use in information meetings with
affected neighbours
I.e. Everything which is planned and visible along
the entire section in 3D.
AREAS OF USAGE AND ExPERIENCE
How was the model used in the project group and
by the client?
As mentioned previously, the model was used in
all types of meetings and was on average shown
once a week in different forums (planning meetings,
land owner meetings, information meetings,
presentations, professional groups etc). This tool
was also perfect for:

Surface section Sandvika east
• Visual check of potential conflicts
• Evaluation of esthetical design - architect and
landscape architect
• Cross profession check
• Generation of cross sections of complicated
constructions
• Control of surveying data
• Quality control of transitions/connection points
• Collision check with railway engineering
constructions
• Visibility control of distance to signals
This way of working way was very well received
by The Norwegian National Rail Administration,
whose comments such as ‘a new era in the planning
of signal systems’ and ‘ an excellent tool for
quality controlling and communicating internally
and externally’ gives us confidence that we are on
the right road (or track) towards realizing our
dream of ‘everything in 3D’.
whAT NOw?
In addition to the work completed, we see several
areas of usage for such models. Including :
Rock tunnel in the Lysaker direction
• Visualisation of subsurface installations
• Displaying existing rock level and construction
trenches
• Visualisation of construction in stages
• Basis for emergency plans
• Training of personnel in The Norwegian
National Rail Administration/Train operation
• Basis for information to the public - available
on web/stations?
• Basis for information to contract partners
• Collision check pipe cross and cable routes
Some of these activities have already been agreed
with The Norwegian National Rail Administration
and you can below see a demo of how this type of
model can be used for visualisation of construction
trenches and subsurface installations.
SO, hAS ThE DREAM BECOME A REALITY ?
.... the answer is that we have come a very long
way in realizing the dream and that we, together
with The Norwegian National Rail Administration,
will continue to develop the model and areas of
usage so that the dream is realized one day in the
future.
Lysaker west surface section
23

John Galten AS is a construction machinery contractor
company with 37 7 employees and sales in 2006
of just over NOK 80 million. Based on increasingly
more stringent documentation requirements and
the earnings potential represented by controlling
volumes, the company in the spring of 2006 purchased
a computer tool to handle these aspects of
assignments. Novapoint Civil Construction was the
computer tool selected as it was considered that it
was a program that could handle most of the
assignment types a contractor normally carries out.
24
We work with many different types of projects and
for both large and small clients. The projects vary
from simple land plots to complete cabin ‘estates'
with the infrastructure required and with lifts and
slalom slopes. However, the projects we handle also
include a great deal of road construction. We currently
are also heavily involved in the development
of the Norwegian Armed Force’s new artillery range
in the Østlandet region of Norway.
The assignments are therefore very varied.

Novapoint
Civil Construction
Using Novapoint Civil Consruktion to create
surveying data and for volume calculations
However, what is common to all is that they require surveying
data for surveyors and machinery operators, volume calculations
and as-built drawings. I below describe how we have
worked with recent projects we have completed.
UPGRADING COUNTY hIGhwAY 606
There are many roads around the country that require upgrading
and improvement. We were fortunate to win the contract for
the upgrading of county highway 606. The project was not one
of the largest, but was however interesting. I had, in this project,
the opportunity to try out many elements such as correc-
Implementing a computer
tool to handle surveyor
assignments has given a
significant increase in quality
to the medium sized
construction machinery
contractor company John
Galten AS. There were
shown to be many benefits.
Nils Olav Roland, John Galten
25

volume reporting for Excel
cross sections with shading used to represent materials replacement.
a triangle model was created of the original terrain and the
blasted salvo, so that the volume between triangle models
function could be used.
Parkingplace Trysilfjellet
tion of terrain model where it has been shown that
the existing road does not match the terrain model
used in planning. The road was re-surveyed and
included in the terrain model at a higher priority, so
that I did not need to remove any of the original terrain
data. Rock was also found in the section. This
was surveyed and added to the terrain model as a
layer in the ground. The next element was the
replacement of marsh, both across the entire or
parts of the road width. This was surveyed and
entered in the terrain model in the same way as the
rock. The road model was then recalculated.
I should also mention that the new version
Novapoint 17 7 was used, which has several new
details which were very useful in the project. First
and foremost was the option to end a layer in the
ground vertically, where materials replacement did
not extend across the entire road width. I would
also like to mention the new volume reporting for
Excel, which is very well structured and clear.
Here you can obtain the volumes you need and volumes
for each profile at the intervals you have
selected.
When this was completed, cross sections were
drawn in the drawing with shading used to represent
materials replacement.
After surveying has been completed and has been
imported into the terrain model, calculating the project
before and after corrections is simply achieved
by turning off and on different layers. This really
shows you the benefits of being able to check volumes.
If this job had not been carried out by checking in
the terrain model etc, we would have accepted the
volumes specified in the contract, which in this case
would have resulted in us having to carry out a
great deal of work for free.
Before we purchased this program, we had to check
everything manually, which was also not as accurate
as the result we achieved here. Increasingly busy
working days also does mean that we probably
would have accepted the volumes specified in the
contract.
The costs of the investment can therefore be quickly
covered in the course of a relatively low number
of projects.
VOLUME CALCULATIONS OF A ShOOTING
RANGE FACE IN DEIFJELLET
The last significant project was a volume calculation
of a shooting range face in Deifjellet, Regionfelt
Østlandet. John Galten AS had a contract with The
Norwegian Defence Estates Agency for blasting,
crushing and transport of rock for use in the construction
of the firing range.

Just before Christmas, a salvo of almost 30,000 m3
was blasted. It was surveyed and a terrain model
was generated. The volume calculation was first carried
out as a construction trench, using the slope
surface function. However, to ensure 100% certainty,
a triangle model was created of the original terrain
and the blasted salvo, so that the volume
between triangle models function could be used.
The result was the same - which was very reassuring.
BIG VARIATIONS BETwEEN JOBS
We in general use Novapoint every day, both in
large and small assignments. First and foremost to
import/export the surveying data which is essential
to keep production underway.
But also to ensure we can meet the increasingly
more stringent requirements for As-built drawings
in projects.
As previously mentioned, the assignments are many
and varied. Here is a summary of some of our projects:
Mosanden Næringspark
Here we planned a road, placing great emphasis on
mass balance. We adapted the line using Line construction,
to optimalize the result.
Another aspect in this project, was the need to
extract as much material as possible to use elsewhere
on the construction site without this coming
into conflict with adjacent property boundaries.
Creating a road model of the project gave us full
control all the time. We could build the road right
first time, as all trial and error had been carried out
in the model.
Trysilfjellet Alpin AS
Slalom slopes and lift routes also have a terrain profile.
In the 2006 season, we generated a longitudinal
profile of the terrain of 6 new lifts and associated
slopes. This was then sent to the lift suppliers,
who based their calculations on this. Below is shown
the longitudinal profiles of the terrain of new lift
routes. Use of Longitudinal profile in Novapoint
meant that the drawing was completed in no time
compared with the ‘old days‘.
Multi-storey car park, Trysil ski resort
We have experienced increasing needs to create
survey data and to carry out volume calculations of
terrains/constructions that do not lie along the road.
I.e. in the work on the multi-storey car park at Trysil
ski resort, the volume calculation function Slope
surfaces was used for the construction trench.
The terrain was surveyed before start up and the
construction trench was drawn using the construction
drawing. Distance from the object was entered
to provide space for shuttering and the height was
offset to provide space for floor casting and the
required gravel ballast necessary under the floor.
Rock was also discovered in the construction trench
during the construction process.
This was immediately surveyed by a surveyor and
entered into the same calculation function as a layer
ground/rock -1.
You can also add any slope angle you want to the
different layers.
The calculation was re-run to obtain the volumes for
the different material types.
My experience with the program so far is very positive.
It is also very positive that improvements, new
versions and options are continuously released. I
am also very satisfied with all the follow up and help
from Vianova Systems’ user support.
I will conclude with some improvement requests…..
• Option to link drawing to project ID
• Option for different prefix when using survey
data from drawing. For example, when extracting
coordinates from a water/waste water drawing,
there should be the option for have a prefix
such as VK and SK etc to differentiate between
waste water manholes and water manholes.
• Option in the volume calculation function slope
surfaces to print out volume reports to text format.
27

Ewald Kjølbro, LANDSVERK
PILOT PROJECT IN 3D
NEW AIRPORT IN THE FAER
The Faeroese Road Directorate, LANDSVERK, is responsible for managing
the public construction of roads, harbors, airports, tunnels and buildings
in the Faeroe Islands.
LANDSVERK owns, plans and maintains all main roads. There are
approximately 1,000 kilometers road system in the Faeroe Islands, of
which circa 500 kilometers are main roads.
Furthermore, the approximately 200 employees manage authority functions in relation to harbors,
roads, tunnels, airports and are also in charge of planning the Faeroese in-frastructure. The
infrastructure (road system, bridges, tunnels, harbors) in the Faeroe Islands is to be expanded
for a total amount of 103 mio. DKK in 2009.
The current, and only, airport in the Faeroe Islands, Vágar Airport, is located on Vágar Island. The
airport has scheduled departures to several destinations with the largest faeroese airline: Atlantic
Airways.
LANDSVERK employ Novapoint for road planning. That is why it is natural to use the program as
a planning tool for preliminary studies of possible locations for a new airport in the Faeroe Islands.
The runway on the current airport is too small and a lar-ger and longer runway is needed in order
to transport imported goods with larger transportation planes.
A preliminary study examines whether a project is doable in the prospective terrain. Such studies
are especially comprehensive in the Faeroe Islands because of the very demanding terrain
conditions with large altitude differences. This results in special challenges when planning new
roads and – of course – airports.
LANDSVERK has performed a preliminary study on Vágar, north of Vágar Airport. Here it is possible
that a new runway can expand the airport sufficiently. This will save a great deal of costs
because they do not have to build a completely new airport.
CONSTRUCTION OF MODEL
A terrain model has been formed on the basis of terrain data: contour lines, break lines and
datum points. The runway is calculated in 3D via Novapoint functions after which it can be added
to the model. From the very beginning the model has been put in No-vapoint Virtual Map. This
means that you can move around inside the model.
Placing an ortophoto over the terrain makes it possible to see the potential location of the new,
2.6 kilometer long, runway. The present runway is visible in the right side of the image.
28

OE ISLANDS
The location of the new runway
Approach level
29

The location of the new runway means that planes
approaching must change their di-rection approximately
2.5 kilometers from the runway. To show this
an approach level has been added to the 3D model.
The level starts at the runway and then moves upward
with a 2 % tilt. The level is see-through in order to
keep the terrain beneath visible – see figure 2. At the
same time, the approach level shows places that hit
the terrain. In these cases parts of the terrain must be
removed.
At this point another level, the barrier level, has to be
added to the 3D model. This level also starts by the
runway and moves from this point upwards to all sides
with a 1:7 7 tilt – see figure below. The amounts that lie
above the barrier level is also shown in the figure
below.
Approach and barrier level
In Novapoint it is possible to calculate the excavation
amount. The approach level re-sults in a 3.5 mio. m3
excavation while the barrier level results in an over 92
mio. m3 excavation. These amounts are so huge that
Flight = approaching
30
an alternative – higher – location of the runway must
be examined.
A flight that shows the model without the two levels
has been made to show the 3D model - see the figures
at the bottom.
Different possibilities and cost estimations can be tested
out when ”laying” the run-way in a 3D model. This
gives a greater certainty about the final projekt when
it comes to quality, time frame and economy.
Earlier on, a preliminary examination consisted of
many longitudal profiles and cross sections. This was
slow and time consuming work. When using a 3D tool
you save valuable time and at the same time your data
is ready calculate masses.
LANDSVERK has used the 3D model to show and
explain the preliminary examina-tions. This has been
the best possible way to present their results to politicians
and other stakeholders. A 3D model makes it far
easier to explain non-specialists how the project needs
to be adapted to the challenging terrain.
LANDSVERK are currently examining three other locations
that are possible candi-dates for accommodating
an airport: Glyvursnes på Streymoy, Søltuvik på
Sandoi og Skorhæddin på Eysturoy.
LANDSVERK also performs seabed examinations that,
among other things, are used in connection with the
expansion of the Faeroese harbors. In such a case
Novapoint Virtual Map can be used to control and visualize
depth sounding that are made with such accuracy
that you can see ship wrecks and etc.

Belgian TucRail
goes for Novapoint Railway
TucRail, the Belgian rail engineering company, has signed a contract with
Vianova Systems Benelux for the purchase of Novapoint Railway.
Vianova Systems is on track and is conquering new
ground in Europe. Novapoint Railway, part of the most
complete professional civil engineering and infrastructure
design system portfolio in Europe, has been chosen by
TucRail, subsidiary company of the Belgian Railway
Company (NMBS/SNCB) specialised in rail engineering
and project management. The contract which comprises
of engineering software as well as training and support,
includes 8 Novapoint Railway licences to start with.
"This is a major breakthrough for Novapoint Railway",
says Patrick Mc Gloin, director of customer affairs at
Vianova Systems AS, the Norwegian mother company.
"We are experiencing increased demand for our 22 different
Novapoint engineering applications in all the countries
we are dealing, but this is so far the second large success
we have with our internationalized Novapoint Railway
application in Europe. Earlier this year the Finnish railway
company VR Track also chose Novapoint. The Belgian contract
represents therefore a very important step forward
for us."
Novapoint Railway is a relatively new product on the international
market. Vianova Systems chose only last year to
commercialize and internationalize this successful Novapoint
application, having been a Norwegian only application
up to then. The Norwegian railway authorities have
used Novapoint Railway for over 14 years!
"We had some tough competition in Belgium", says
Benjamin Van Daele. "The reasons we won were due to
our local expertise and the speed at which we could supply
a localised solution, with support for local drawing
standards and formats. Also the fact that the Norwegian
Railway Administration has successfully been using
Novapoint Railway for all its design for such a long time
was important. With this contract Vianova Systems is one
more step closer to its vision of being the major European
supplier of complete civil engineering software."
Vianova is fulfilling its European vision - Vianova Systems
Benelux opens Vianova Systems AS is expanding further
and sets up an office in Benelux. With offices in Norway,
Denmark, Sweden, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, France,
Spain, UK, Thailand, Vietnam, and now also in Benelux,
Vianova is one more step closer to establishing Novapoint
as the European solution provider for life cycle infrastruc-
ture design, construction and maintenance.
The new Vianova Systems Benelux BVBA has its office in
Gent-Brugge in Belgium and will cover the region of
Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg.
The company starts business from July 10th, and is starting
up with two experienced founding associates who also
are co-owners: Benjamin Van Daele will be responsible for
sales and the commercial side of the business, Chris
Dheere will handle the technical side. Both have strong
experience from the CAD and GIS market in the region -
Benjamin Van Daele from a local AutoCAD reseller and a
French CAD/GIS supplier - Chris Dheere with strong technical
competence and experience using Novapoint for
more than four years.
"We experience an increasing response from the European
market as the news about Novapoint as a professional and
user friendly solution is spreading," comments Patrick
McGloin, managing director of Vianova Systems AS.
"Good press coverage in the European professional media
combined with local expertise and good customer references
confirm that we are getting closer to our vision to
establish Novapoint as the European solution for infrastructure
(road, rail, waterways and airport) design, construction
and maintenance. Our leading position in the
Nordics in combination with our targeted presence in
country after country is paying off," he says.
On 4/8/2009 the AWV (Belgian Highway and Traffic
Angency) started to reconstruct the intersection on the
A12 in Londerzeel. This intersection is one of the 131 recognized
dangerous intersections that AWV will reconstruct
in the province of Flemish Brabant.
The new intersection will be more compact and safer for
all road users. A new parallel street will also been build
along the highway to secure the access to the houses
nearby. Project cots: 1.500.000 €
Voka - Chamber of Commerce of Halle-Vilvoorde welcomes
this news. "Not only is one of the ten most dangerous
intersections in Flanders addressed, it is also an
important first step in the creation of new jobs. This intersection
had been designed to open up the easy access to
the nearby business park of Meise-Westrode.”
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Vianova has been fine-tuning its technology in France since 2007 7 in order to match the
requirements from French engineering design. The technology enables constructors and
designers of transportation infrastructures to model complex infrastructure projects in
3D, globally and with the required level of accuracy.
French project managers and designers demand and expect more and more from solutions
in the 3D design field. Vianova’s technology can fulfill these rightful expectations
thanks to its modern software architecture and our portfolio of professional applications,
as opposed to other local products.
32

NOVAPOINT IN FRANCE
The goal for Vianova is to sustain a successful collaboration
process with all stakeholders involved in the
infrastructural field in order to facilitate an effective
level of communication between designers, decision
makers and users of such infrastructures.
Infrastructure designed ultimately with the aim of
improving safety and life quality of the average citizen.
COMMITMENT TO ThE FRENCh MARKET
At Vianova, we believe that only a market with a size
as big as the European market has the crucial magnitude
to rationalize the costs of software development
required to address the expectations of engineers in
the numerous fields they are challenged in.
Chamrousse:
That was for Grenoble's candidature to the French international candidature for the Winter Olympic games of
2018 (Annecy was finally chosen to represent France). The goal was to represent on virtual map a technical
study made by INGEROP on how all media, sport team, and people will go to the ski resort. We made that for
5 ski resort l'Alpe d'Huez, Les 2 alpes, Chamrousse for alpine ski, and Meaudre and Autrans for country ski.
33

Face 3D echangeur - That is a road project made by a client on a
new important national road into the west of france, the RCEA
(Atlantique Center Europa Road)
The current release of the French version of Novapoint
(17.10) 7 is the result of an 18-month effort conducted
with the dedicated support from the head-office’s
development teams at Vianova Systems AS in order to
capture, analyze and implement French engineers’
requirements to conceive, design, build and maintain
infrastructural projects from A to Z.
Vianova Systems France SAS started releasing French
software solutions for civil engineers in 2007 7 and has
over 150 licenses deployed in 25 different accounts
today. Its turnover has been on approximately half a
million euros in 2008. Its team consists of half a dozen
civil engineers with specialized expertise in road and
railway design, geotechnical issues, noise propagation
analysis, urban development and environmental
issues, virtual reality, etc.
Only a year and a half on the French market and
Vianova’s solutions are already helping with the
designing of over 20 real-world projects. Amongst the
designers of these projects are County Councils, four
out of eleven regional offices (DIR) of the Ministry of
Transportation, ARCADIS and INGEROP, two of the
most important independent engineering consultants,
as well as several subsidiaries of the COLAS Group that
are the largest road construction group in the world.
A EUROPEAN CONTExT
The transportation sector in Europe is in fact one of the
largest (10% of the EU GDP) in terms of public and
public / private investments, as well as in terms of the
size of the private groups based in this region acting
worldwide, alike the number of people employed
(around 10 million). France enjoyed three private
groups ranked among the 10 largest in the world, e.g.:
Bouygues (#1), Vinci (#3) and Eiffage (#8).
The EC Directives have made the concept of a Trans-
34
Plan Bordeaux - That was a tender to represent Bordeaux French
city on the web. We was on 3 last finalists, but there was not
enough web option for them. Good to create the model but to for
web interactions.
European Network (TEN) a reality, with common
guidelines for the infrastructures (norms), interoperability
(systems) and the services (deregulation) run
on top. The TEN is not only composed of roads, but of
railways, airways and waterways too.
The challenges are tough: Emission of pollutants
caused by 77,500
km of daily traffic jam should be
reduced by 50%. The freight transport by train should
be doubled from 8 % today to 15 %, vs. 40 % in the
US. And those are just some of the challenging tasks.
This development and harmonization effort is led by EC
Directives in the field of civil engineering. It opens
opportunities for solutions built from the ground-up to
address the common European requirements, as well
as to be customized to implement national specific
rules.
Vianova’s solutions in France are designed from knowledge
gathered in a European area with high population
densities, a transportation network inherited from history
and a tough relief configuration. Integration of
French rules is naturally being made continuously.
This is executed and maintained by Vianova’s team of
civil engineers in France in collaboration with the
French authorities in charge, like SETRA, CETE or
LCPC.
ASSESS INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS’ IMPACT
Under the Directive on the Assessment and
Management of Environmental Noise that was
approved in 2002, all EU Member States will have to
produce strategic noise maps every five years detailing
noise pollution from major roads, railways, airports and
industrial sites near urban areas.
The first maps were due in 2007. 7 In that context
Vianova’s solutions helped users in France with harmo-

Terra 95 : That is a waste deposit site. The goal was to show that
the future site had no visual impact from a golf, from the road and
from neigbour. We made 3 models, today, in work and in 2060.
nized methods to assess the possible impact from
infrastructure projects’. Indeed, common concerns
exist for matters such as noise pollution along transportation
infrastructures, which is a key public health
issue.
There are two EC Directives (2002 / 49 / EC) in place
and imposed the Member States on the production of
noise propagation maps by the year 2012. This applies
to all municipalities with a population larger than
100,000, and roadways with more than two million
vehicles / year. In order to address an issue like this, in
such a short timeframe, engineers and planners need
a real 3D modeler together with proper 3D noise propagation
computation methods. The French method
NMBP-Routes-96 happens to be the one recommended
by the EC to the Member States. Its integration into
Novapoint Noise makes it the sole 3D noise analysis
solution available today in an AutoCAD environment.
MAKE PROJECTS UNDERSTOOD
Virtual reality is in some ways a revolution for civil
engineers similar to the one that mechanical and plant
design engineers experienced about 10 years ago.
Vianova offers customers in France the ability to incorporate
the power of interactive virtual 3D simulation
into civil engineering projects. All infrastructure projects
have in common that they transform an existing
situation - natural ground or man-built - into a new
one, both being three-dimensional. Therefore there is
a need for a 3D-native geo-located simulation system.
Virtual simulation as such isn’t that new, but is often
offered as a rendering tool only. Vianova however has
always thought in terms of virtual reality-aided design
(‘VRAD’), a natural extension of 3D computer-aided
design (‘CAD’). Because Vianova’s solutions bring the
ability to visualize the design work in progress in an
interactive virtual reality, at any given step of the
process, designers in France can speed up their design
Tram Mulhouse - Colas try to win the tender for the Tram of
Mulhouse so they asked us to make a model to help on tender
decision. That' in process. We have include in the model almost
150 real buildings on the 2-3 km of the project.
and, in the meantime, validate on location the option
they are developing.
In case of any spatial conflict between entities in a
complex situation in an area of the project, they can
step back and develop another variant. And of course,
virtual simulation also allows the immediate understanding
of a complete infrastructure project by anyone
who does not have a civil engineering background,
including public decision makers and citizens. This is
especially relevant since the project can be visualized
and walked (driven / flown) through via any web
browser over the Internet or an intranet, as offered in
Vianova’s solutions.
COMMITMENT TO RESEARCh AND DEVELOP-
MENT
Today’s CAD platforms provide the foundation for specialized
3D design solutions. However they are not built
to support the type of services that databases provide
and that are required for any real world infrastructure
project of considerable size. Such projects comprise
several sub-projects, which are to be shared by several
design teams from different contractors, with various
levels of access, and different layers of information.
Vianova is developing an application-server solution to
answer its large customers’ needs, whereby the data
required by the designers is stored in and extracted
from, e.g., an Oracle Spatial database and made available
to the 3D design applications constructed around
a CAD engine. Vianova’s belief is that commercial databases
will continue to extend their current services to
3D entities enabling an even tighter integration of such
application-server solutions.
Images extracted from 3D models of projects designed
in France with Vianova solutions –
(posted on ftp://www.vianova-systems.com, under
folder NOVANEWS) ???
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Novapoint
Experience the pleasure
www.novapoint.com
Vianova Systems AS
Postboks 434
1302 Sandvika
Norway
Vianova Systems Denmark A/S
Dusager 10
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Denmark
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411 07 7 Göteborg
Sweden
Vianova Systems Finland OY
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02240 Espoo
Finland