Sustainable Engineering
We are supporting the rail industry achieve Net Zero by enabling our clients to find sustainable solutions in the asset lifecycle.
The world has reached a milestone in which sustainability is not an option anymore, but a necessity. As Engineers, we feel responsible to turn to sustainable engineering design alternatives to ensure the wellbeing of the future generations to come.
The services we can offer as part of our sustainable engineering package are the following:
• Capital carbon assessments
• Diversity impact assessments
• Environmental Engineering solutions
1. Product innovation
We have developed a Capital Carbon Assessment Tool to provide our clients with step-change low carbon solutions for rail assets which are also commercially viable.
In an effort to demonstrate the need for a switch to sustainable engineering design alternatives, Network Rail has published the Network Rail Environment and Social Minimum Requirements for Projects (NR/L2/ENV/015) which sets a key target to reduce carbon emissions by 25% till S6.
The guidance document prompts the use of the Rail Carbon Tool to identify opportunities for capital carbon reduction for any works over £1 million encompassing structures, track, electrification and fixed plant infrastructure, Geotechnical / Earthworks, and/or buildings.
The FJD Capital Carbon Assessment tool (insert link to the PDF about our tool) meets the requirements of NR/L2/ENV/015 by using input data from the RSSB Rail Carbon Tool and applying them in a consistent manner in accordance with the RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment for the Built Environment.
We can provide general capital assessment advice at all project stages, and we also have the ability to conduct feasibility studies for Grip Stage 2, and detailed carbon assessments for the Option Selection Grip Stage 3, Single Option Development Grip Stage 4 and Detailed Design Grip Stage 5.
Four of our team have been recognised by the Institute of Civil Engineering for their work on the Carbon Engineering tool, being part of the first 27 professionals to be named ICE Carbon Champions.
2. Diversity impact assessment
We are certified to conduct diversity impact assessments that demonstrate long-term sustainability for rail projects. This is undertaken having in mind the end users and with a particular attention given to future proofing and undertaking risks assessments of any potential negative impacts.
4. Environmental engineering
Sustainable drainage systems are designed to make urban drainage systems more compatible with the natural water cycle. The drainage authority has set limits for the capacity of water that can be collected in the public sewer system, therefore extra measures need to be undertaken to minimise risk of flood.
We are experienced in designing various elements for sustainable drainage systems, such as soakaway drains and permeable pavements, which facilitate the natural soaking of water into the ground, water attenuation tanks, which allow gradual soaking of the water into the ground, and water separator systems, which facilitate water purification.
PROJECT EXAMPLE - Ancillary Civils Siemens
The project involved undertaking a carbon analysis on the following ancillary civil designs and providing a detailed report of our team’s findings:
1. Refurbished/re-lidded trough routes (ground level);
2. New trough routes (ground level);
3. Elevated route (trough and foundations);
4. UTXs;
5. Loc foundations;
6. Equipment staging’s (superstructure & foundations)
7. REB foundations;
8. PSP/ASP foundations;
9. DNO/PHCC/TIS/CTS/transformer foundations;
10. Straight post signal foundations;
11. Cantilever/portal gantry foundations;
12. Ground signals;
13. Ancillary foundations – signage, box on post (BOP’s), signal post telephone (SPT’s) etc;
14. King post walls < 1m tall (no track loading) (walls & foundations);
15. General - re-use of arisings on site;
The carbon analysis was done through the tool we created to analyse carbon in design lifecycles and has led our team to seek more opportunities to include green solutions to design options, opening up a range of opportunities for sustainable design development. By creating a highly visual interpretation of the results, we have facilitated the decision making process of our client, maximising the number of low-carbon asset options. Drawing on the previous experience of our Civils team, we have provided design solutions with a proven track record.
Another aspect that has proven to be pivotal is the positive liaison with our client, Siemens Construction, as well as various other companies providing information on construction or material carbon processes for specific products. Thorough market research on the available products has allowed us to provide a comprehensive set of low carbon emitting asset options.
The main challenge our team faced was obtaining information from manufacturers, construction teams and as it was not site specific we had to make various assumptions on the travel distances for products to and from sites.
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Key information
Duration
August 2020 - December 2020
Project name
Ancillary Civils F2902
Clients
Siemens