Interdisciplinary nature of modern construction projects

Principles of construction management
14 Aug 201722:23

Summary

TLDRThis lecture delves into the interdisciplinary nature of modern construction projects, using metro construction as a case study. It emphasizes the shift from traditional civil engineering-centric projects to those requiring a blend of civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering expertise. The lecture explores various components of metro systems, highlighting the importance of understanding each aspect's engineering challenges and the evolving role of project managers with diverse backgrounds. It concludes with an assignment encouraging students to analyze metro systems globally, considering technical complexities and historical developments.

Takeaways

  • 🏗️ The lecture emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of modern construction projects, highlighting the shift from traditional civil engineering to a more multidisciplinary approach.
  • 🌐 It discusses the urban built environment's focus on various infrastructural aspects, including commercial buildings, malls, metros, airports, roads, and rails, all requiring a multidisciplinary approach.
  • 👷‍♂️ The importance of a project manager having an awareness and knowledge of diverse issues is stressed, as the manager's background may vary depending on the project's stage and requirements.
  • 🚇 The lecture uses metro construction as an illustrative example to demonstrate the integration of civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering disciplines in a single project.
  • 🔧 The different stages of construction are noted to have varying predominating activities, such as civil engineering in the initial stages and mechanical or electrical engineering becoming more important as the project progresses.
  • 🛠️ The necessity for civil engineers to have a basic understanding of mechanical and electrical engineering issues even when primarily involved in civil engineering tasks is highlighted.
  • 🚊 The components of a metro system are broken down into stations, maintenance yards, operations rooms, tracks, tunnels, bridges, and rolling stock, each requiring different engineering expertise.
  • 🛤️ The script discusses the complexity of planning for different types of tracks (underground, on grade, above grade) and the technical challenges associated with each.
  • 🔄 The lecture touches on the importance of understanding the operational phase of projects, such as the need for non-destructive testing, monitoring, and repair in the case of metro and railway systems.
  • 👥 It suggests that the execution of a project involves not only on-site operations but also procurement, material decisions, and planning with technical considerations in mind.
  • 🤔 The 'food for thought' section encourages students to analyze well-developed metro systems in various cities, understand their history, technical issues, and the roles of different engineers involved.

Q & A

  • What is the main focus of Lecture no. 2 on Principles of Construction Management?

    -The main focus of Lecture no. 2 is the interdisciplinary nature of modern construction projects, using metro construction as an illustrative example.

  • How has the perception of construction projects evolved from traditional views?

    -Traditionally, construction projects were seen as largely civil engineering projects, but now they are recognized as multidisciplinary, involving various engineering disciplines.

  • What is the significance of understanding the interdisciplinary nature of construction projects?

    -Understanding the interdisciplinary nature is crucial as it helps project managers to be aware and knowledgeable about diverse issues, which is necessary for managing complex modern infrastructure projects.

  • Why is it important for a project manager to have a basic understanding of different engineering domains?

    -A project manager needs a basic understanding of different engineering domains to oversee various activities that dominate at different stages of a project, ensuring smooth project execution.

  • What are the different engineering domains involved in metro construction?

    -In metro construction, the different engineering domains involved include civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering, with each playing a significant role at different stages of the project.

  • How does the role of civil engineers differ during the construction and operation phases of a metro system?

    -During construction, civil engineers are primarily involved in building infrastructure. In the operation phase, their role shifts to maintenance, non-destructive testing, monitoring, and repair.

  • What are some of the key components of a metro system that require planning and construction expertise?

    -Key components of a metro system requiring planning and construction expertise include stations, maintenance yards, tracks (underground, on-grade, above-grade), tunnels, bridges, rolling stock, controls and monitoring systems, and power supply.

  • Why is it challenging to plan and design metro systems with multiple lines and stations?

    -Planning and designing metro systems with multiple lines and stations is challenging due to the complexity of ensuring efficient passenger movement, safety, and the technical aspects of how lines intersect and share infrastructure.

  • What is the significance of studying the depths of metro lines in different cities?

    -Studying the depths of metro lines helps understand the chronological development of the system and the technical challenges associated with constructing deeper lines as systems expand over time.

  • What are some of the operational considerations in metro systems that affect planning and design?

    -Operational considerations in metro systems that affect planning and design include passenger traffic management, peak demand handling, safety measures, emergency evacuation plans, and the integration of services like lighting, ventilation, and communication.

  • How does the lecture suggest students gain a deeper understanding of metro systems?

    -The lecture suggests students gain a deeper understanding of metro systems by studying the history and technical aspects of well-developed systems in cities like Tokyo, New York, London, Moscow, and Delhi, and by analyzing the layout, depth, and structural components of these systems.

Outlines

00:00

🏗️ Introduction to Interdisciplinary Construction Management

The lecture introduces the concept of modern construction projects as interdisciplinary endeavors, moving beyond traditional civil engineering to encompass various engineering disciplines. The speaker emphasizes the importance of urban infrastructure development in the 21st century, including commercial buildings, malls, metros, airports, roads, and rails. The course aims to provide a civil engineering perspective while acknowledging the necessity of borrowing knowledge from other engineering fields. The role of a project manager is highlighted, noting that they may come from different engineering backgrounds depending on the project stage, and must possess a basic understanding of multiple disciplines, especially during the construction phase.

05:02

🚇 The Multidisciplinary Nature of Metro Construction

This paragraph delves into the complexities of metro construction as an example of a multidisciplinary project. It discusses the various engineering domains involved, such as civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering, and the importance of understanding the distinct activities and expertise required at different stages of the project. The paragraph also touches on the operational phase of metro systems, where civil engineers continue to play a crucial role, but with a different set of skills compared to the construction phase. Additionally, it provides examples of other projects like automobile plants and transmission lines to illustrate the interdisciplinary nature of construction management.

10:04

🛤️ Breakdown of Metro System Components

The speaker breaks down the components of a metro system to illustrate the diverse expertise needed for its management and construction. This includes stations, maintenance yards, operations rooms, and offices, each with its own set of engineering challenges. The paragraph discusses the planning of stations with a focus on passenger movement, safety, and emergency measures. It also covers the civil engineering aspects of tracks, sleepers, and maintenance yard infrastructure. Furthermore, it explains the complexities of designing and constructing tunnels, above-grade tracks, and the necessary considerations for lighting, ventilation, and emergency evacuation in underground metro systems.

15:07

🚊 Technical Aspects and Planning of Metro Systems

This section examines the technical aspects of metro system planning, including power supply, signaling, ticketing, and emergency management. The importance of efficient passenger flow and the design of stations to prevent congestion are highlighted. The paragraph also addresses the challenges of line layout planning, especially how metro lines intersect and the engineering solutions for grade-separated systems. The need for in-depth analysis of existing metro systems in cities like Tokyo, New York, London, and Delhi is suggested as a means to better understand the historical development, technical issues, and the roles of various engineers in metro system construction and management.

20:08

📚 Assignment and Further Study on Metro Systems

The final paragraph presents an assignment for the audience to research and analyze well-developed metro systems around the world. It encourages the study of historical construction, technical challenges, and the roles of different engineers in the development of these systems. The assignment also prompts the audience to consider the complexities of metro line layout, depth of lines, and the average passenger traffic, urging them to look beyond surface-level information and engage in a deeper analysis of the subject matter. The paragraph concludes with a reminder to refer to relevant books and materials for a comprehensive understanding of construction management and metro systems.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Interdisciplinary

Interdisciplinary refers to the integration of multiple academic disciplines into a single project or field of study. In the context of the video, modern construction projects, such as metro construction, require an understanding of various engineering disciplines including civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering. This concept is central to the video's theme, highlighting the need for project managers to possess a broad knowledge base to oversee complex construction projects effectively.

💡Metro Construction

Metro construction involves the planning, design, and building of underground or elevated rail systems for urban transportation. The video uses metro construction as an illustrative example to discuss the interdisciplinary nature of modern construction projects. It points out the various engineering aspects involved, such as civil engineering for tunnels and stations, mechanical engineering for systems within the metro, and electrical engineering for signaling and power supply.

💡Urban Built Environment

The urban built environment encompasses the human-made surroundings in urban areas, including infrastructure like commercial buildings, malls, metros, airports, roads, and rails. The video emphasizes how the 21st-century focus on the urban built environment has led to the increasing complexity and interdisciplinarity of infrastructure projects, which are now more than just civil engineering endeavors.

💡Project Manager

A project manager is an individual responsible for the coordination and oversight of a project, from planning to execution. In the video, the role of the project manager is discussed in the context of construction projects, where they may need to have a background in various engineering disciplines depending on the project's stage. The project manager's expertise may change over time to match the predominant activities of the project, such as civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering.

💡Engineering Domains

Engineering domains refer to the specific areas of engineering expertise, such as civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering. The video script breaks down these domains to illustrate the different types of engineering knowledge required in various stages of construction projects like metro construction, emphasizing the multidisciplinary approach needed for modern infrastructure development.

💡Maintenance Yard

A maintenance yard is a facility where vehicles, such as trains in a metro system, are serviced, repaired, and maintained. The video mentions maintenance yards in the context of metro construction, discussing the civil engineering aspects involved in their design and operation, including water supply and waste water removal systems.

💡Operations Rooms

Operations rooms are control centers where the day-to-day management and coordination of a system, such as a metro, take place. The video script discusses the need for planning operations rooms as part of the construction project, highlighting the importance of these spaces for the staff overseeing metro operations.

💡Safety Measures

Safety measures are precautions taken to prevent accidents and ensure the well-being of individuals within a particular environment. The video script mentions the importance of incorporating safety measures in the planning and construction of metro stations, including emergency evacuation systems in case of incidents like fires.

💡Rolling Stock

Rolling stock refers to the vehicles or carriages used in rail transport, such as coaches and locomotives in a metro system. The video distinguishes rolling stock as an element of metro construction that falls outside the realm of civil engineering, requiring specialized knowledge for procurement and maintenance.

💡Control and Monitoring Systems

Control and monitoring systems are the technological infrastructure used to manage and oversee the operation of complex systems like metro networks. The video script includes these systems as a key component of metro construction, emphasizing the integration of mechanical, electrical, and software engineering to ensure the smooth operation of the metro.

💡Emergency Management

Emergency management involves the strategies and procedures put in place to respond to unforeseen events or accidents. The video discusses the importance of planning for emergency management in metro systems, including power failures, accidents, and other threats, to ensure the safety of passengers and the continuity of operations.

Highlights

Lecture 2 focuses on the interdisciplinary nature of modern construction projects, moving beyond traditional civil engineering.

Modern infrastructure projects are increasingly interdisciplinary, involving various engineering disciplines.

Project managers may come from different engineering backgrounds depending on the project stage and expertise required.

The initial stages of construction projects are predominantly civil engineering-focused.

As projects progress, mechanical and electrical engineering aspects become more significant.

Organizations may change project managers or require a basic understanding of multiple disciplines.

Metro construction serves as an illustrative example of the interdisciplinary nature of modern projects.

Automobile plants and transmission line projects also demonstrate the need for diverse engineering expertise.

Civil engineers play a crucial role in metro construction, even during the operation phase.

The skills required for civil engineers differ between construction and operation phases.

Transmission line projects involve electrical engineering for power transmission and civil engineering for structural design.

Project managers must understand the various facets of a project, including non-civil engineering aspects.

Metro systems can be broken down into components such as stations, maintenance yards, and tracks for better management understanding.

Planning of metro stations involves considerations for passenger movement, train operations, and safety measures.

Maintenance yards require civil engineering for infrastructure and systems for water supply and waste removal.

Operations rooms and offices need specific planning for the setup required for metro operations.

Tracks in metro systems can be underground, on grade, or above grade, each with different engineering considerations.

Metro systems involve a combination of civil structures, rolling stock, controls, and power networks.

Project execution includes not only on-site operations but also procurement and material decisions.

The lecture concludes with a Type-2 assignment encouraging students to research and analyze metro systems in various cities.

Students are prompted to study the history, technical issues, and roles of different engineers in well-developed metro systems.

The assignment challenges students to understand the complexities of metro system layouts, including line crossings and depths.

Attention to depths of metro lines can reveal insights into the chronological development and technical challenges of the system.

Understanding the total length, special structures, and average passenger traffic of metro systems provides insight into their design and capacity.

Transcripts

play00:13

Namaskar and welcome back to our lectures on Principles of Construction Management.

play00:22

And today is Lecture no.

play00:24

2 where we will talk about the interdisciplinary nature of modern construction projects.

play00:31

Traditionally, construction projects were seen to be largely civil engineering projects.

play00:37

Now, it is not so anymore.

play00:40

And that is what we will see through an illustrative example of metro construction.

play00:46

Now, before we get into a discussion on metro construction and the example and the issues

play00:52

involved and so on, let us go over the course once again.

play00:57

Urban built environment in the 21st century is focusing on various infrastructural aspects,

play01:02

such as commercial buildings, malls, metros, airports, roads and rails.

play01:08

And accordingly, modern infrastructure projects are getting increasingly interdisciplinary

play01:14

or multidisciplinary in nature, in that they span several disciplines of engineering.

play01:20

Though most of our treatment here will be with a civil engineering bias, but we will

play01:27

not try to use a lot of knowledge of technical civil engineering, or, the specifics of civil

play01:34

engineering, but of course we will have to borrow from civil engineering issues.

play01:42

As a manager of these projects, a certain level of awareness and knowledge of diverse

play01:46

issues is required.

play01:49

Needless to say, depending on the stage of construction of a project, the project manager

play01:57

could be with a civil engineering background, or it could be from a mechanical engineering

play02:03

background, or an electrical engineering background, and so on.

play02:07

It is important to understand that in the construction phase at different points in

play02:15

time, different activities are predominating.

play02:20

In the initial parts, there is a lot of civil engineering that goes on.

play02:24

As we go along in the project, perhaps, depending on the nature of the project, mechanical engineering

play02:29

and electrical engineering; these kinds of issues become more important.

play02:34

So, organizations tend to change the project manager from time to time depending on the

play02:42

expertise.

play02:43

Similarly, or having said that, even when civil engineering activities are going on,

play02:49

and, the project manager is a civil engineering background person, that person should have

play02:55

a basic understanding of the mechanical and electrical engineering issues also.

play02:59

. So, that is what is the backdrop against which you should try to understand our treatment

play03:06

of construction projects.

play03:08

So, now coming to interdisciplinary nature of projects let us take some illustrative

play03:12

examples like metro construction, or an automobile plant, or, even a transmission line project.

play03:18

Let us broadly divide the engineering domains- the civil, mechanical and electrical.

play03:24

Of course, there could be other disciplines also involved depending on the nature of the

play03:28

project, depending on the stage in which the project is and so on.

play03:32

If it is a metro construction, there are definitely civil engineering aspects, mechanical engineering

play03:37

aspects, and electrical engineering aspects.

play03:39

Similarly, in an automobile plant, once the plant has been commissioned and is in operation,

play03:49

it is not necessarily a great civil engineering operation.

play03:52

It is a mechanical engineering operation with controls, electrical engineering, software

play03:58

people, etc.

play03:59

All these people come into play as far as management of that operating plant is concerned.

play04:03

But at the time of construction, it is largely a civil engineering activity.

play04:07

In the case of metro construction, however, even during operation the civil engineers

play04:12

continue to play a very important and a vital role.

play04:16

It is not only metros, but in fact if you think about it, if you look at the railways

play04:21

for that matter, you will realize that even in the operating phase, the civil engineers

play04:27

have a very important role, but the training and the kind of specific skills required are

play04:33

not necessarily those required at the time of construction.

play04:36

At the time of operation, you require skills in non-destructive testing, monitoring, repair,

play04:43

and so on.

play04:44

So, the skills required is different, but the background is the same.

play04:48

Now, let us look at the third example which is sited here, the transmission line project.

play04:55

An electrical company can decide to lay a transmission line from Point 1 to Point 2.

play05:01

There will be electrical engineering issues of course, because what are the characteristics

play05:05

of power to be transmitted, what kind of towers to be used, what height the towers will be,

play05:11

and so on those are issues which need to be resolved in consultation with the regulatory

play05:15

authorities.

play05:16

. But once the electrical part of it is completed,

play05:20

the loads, etc are handed over to civil engineers for structural design of towers.

play05:27

There is a construction part where the towers are erected, and once the towers have been

play05:32

erected, civil engineers are obviously not the best people to identify the kind of wires

play05:37

to be used, the kind of fabrications to be done or for that matter, the kind of laying

play05:45

of the lines is concerned or the substations on the way.

play05:49

The construction of the substations is a civil engineering issue, but the equipment that

play05:52

goes into them is definitely not civil engineering.

play05:54

So, the project manager who manages these projects has to have some understanding of

play05:59

all the different facets of the project.

play06:03

Now, getting back to our example which we will deal today – metros.

play06:09

So, now if you look at metros we need to break it down.

play06:16

It would be easier if we break down a metro system into components and then try to see

play06:22

what kind of expertise would be required to manage it, or, to be able to implement a particular

play06:30

part of the construction.

play06:31

So, now there are different ways of looking at this breakdown.

play06:35

One is to look at what are the different components in terms of let us say, the stations.

play06:39

So, there are stations where the metros or the trains come, and stay there for a certain

play06:46

amount of time.

play06:47

Therefore, the kind of issues that go into the planning of a metro station would include

play06:53

movement of passengers coming in and going out and the movement of trains coming in and

play06:58

going out.

play07:00

If you look at the planning of stations, primarily the issue is movement of passengers, embarking

play07:05

and disembarking, and how we will transport them from the outside of the metro area.

play07:15

So, if you look at any metro station, you are approaching the metro station from an

play07:20

area which is not really metro.

play07:22

So, first thing is that the passengers will come into the metro area, then, they will

play07:26

come to the platform and take the train.

play07:29

On the other side, people will disembark from the train, get out of the platform to the

play07:36

station area and then leave the metro area.

play07:38

So, one of the parts of planning and construction of stations is the movement of passengers.

play07:44

Similarly, there is this issue of trains which are coming in and going out.

play07:49

There is the related signaling issues, and so on and so forth.

play07:54

In both these cases there have to be appropriate provisions for safety measures or emergencies

play08:01

that may arise.

play08:02

So, if there is a fire in this station, there have to be emergency evacuation systems in

play08:07

place and so on, and that goes into the planning and construction of stations.

play08:14

Moving from there, there are maintenance yards where the coaches and the locomotives are

play08:20

maintained, that is they are overhauled, some kind of minor repairs are carried out and

play08:25

so on.

play08:27

If you look at the movement of trains – the trains move on tracks which are laid on sleepers

play08:38

and the load is then transferred to the ground.

play08:40

So, apart from the coaches and the engines, everything is basically a civil engineering

play08:45

domain story, whether it is the tracks, whether it is the sleepers, whether it is the ballast

play08:51

or whatever goes on, in transferring the load to the ground.

play08:55

So, as far as the maintenance yard is concerned, depending on where the maintenance yard is,

play09:01

somebody will tell you that okay, this is the length of the trains which need to be

play09:04

parked so that they can be cleaned.

play09:06

But, the layout and the civil engineering infrastructure that goes with it - water supply

play09:13

there, removal of waste water from there and so on, that remains a civil engineering domain

play09:17

issue.

play09:18

Similarly, you look at the operations rooms and offices - so there is the need for having

play09:24

operations rooms, offices where different people associated with the metro operations

play09:32

will work from, and, that has to be again planned.

play09:36

Continuing with the story, there could be tracks.

play09:39

And now, if you just pause to think about some of the metro systems that you may have

play09:46

seen, you would realize that the tracks could be underground, or, they could be on grade,

play09:53

or, above grade.

play09:55

Now, depending on whether the tracks are underground or on grade or above grade, different aspects

play10:03

come into play.

play10:05

And as engineers, we need to understand the issues so that we are able to handle them

play10:10

as they come during design or during construction.

play10:14

A proper understanding of all these things helps us plan the system better and ensures

play10:24

that as we go along in a construction project or in the project of metro construction, we

play10:30

do not have to make sudden changes.

play10:34

Another way of looking at some of these systems would be, let us try to divide them into civil

play10:41

structures.

play10:42

Now, if you look at similar structures, there could be buildings; operations rooms, and

play10:49

stations can all qualify as ‘buildings’.

play10:51

Similarly, they would be tracks, there would be tunnels.

play10:56

If the track is underground, we’ll have to make tunnels.

play11:02

There would be bridges; now, bridges can have two functions here.

play11:06

One would be crossing a river or any other obstacle.

play11:09

The other way of looking at a bridge would be all kinds of track which are above grade.

play11:16

They could also be looked upon as bridges in one form or the other.

play11:20

So, depending on what view we take, these are basically inclusive of all kinds of above

play11:26

grade structures which are designed to carry the metro above ground.

play11:32

Then, there is rolling stock which is definitely not a civil engineering story, and that consists

play11:37

of coaches and the locomotives.

play11:41

Besides that there are also controls and monitoring systems, there is an entire power network,

play11:46

which has to be laid down and so on.

play11:49

So, depending on which way we break down a particular system, we will have a better understanding

play11:55

as to what is the kind of expertise is required for executing a project.

play12:01

Now, execution of the project does not necessarily mean only on-site operations.

play12:08

If it comes to rolling stock, for example, these coaches and locomotives have to be procured.

play12:14

When it comes to buildings or tunnels, we need to decide what kind of material we will

play12:20

use, and that decision is also an engineering decision and needs to be taken with proper

play12:27

planning with technical issues being kept in mind.

play12:31

Now, here is an example of a station and you can see that apart from the train and the

play12:38

platform there are so many other things which are a part of the station.

play12:44

There are signages which tell people which way to move in case of an emergency, which

play12:48

way is the ‘exit’.

play12:49

There are signages to tell people how much more time to the next train and there could

play12:55

be signages relating to whether a train will stop at that station or not, what is the next

play13:02

stop for that particular train coming into the station, and so on.

play13:06

So, all these things need to be properly planned, included in a drawing, which is used for communicating

play13:14

among engineers from different walks of life.

play13:17

Similarly, if you look at a maintenance yard, here is a place where you need a lot of water

play13:22

supply, a lot of systems to make sure that certain amount of testing can be carried out.

play13:29

So, now, here is a maintenance yard where you had need facilities which are required

play13:34

to maintain the coaches and the locomotives, that could include water, that could include

play13:38

some amount of power since there would definitely a need of some amount of lighting depending

play13:43

on where that yard is. , and so on and so forth.

play13:48

In operations rooms and offices of course, you need different setup and that needs to

play13:53

be planned.

play13:56

When it comes to an underground track which is essentially a tunnel, we have to understand

play14:01

what are the issues that go into the planning, design and construction of a tunnel.

play14:08

That would include things like lighting, ventilation, emergency communication, the kind of slopes

play14:15

that you have to have, you have to make sure that there is no leakage of water from outside

play14:20

into the tunnel, what are the kind of emergency evacuation plans from the tunnel, and so on.

play14:28

In fact, it is sometimes important and required that along with the tunnel, we run what is

play14:34

called a ‘service tunnel’, which serves as a parking space, or, which serves as a

play14:41

place where people who may have to evacuate from a train in the case of an emergency can

play14:47

leave the tunnel and assemble in a service tunnel.

play14:51

The service tunnel also serves as an area through which service lines such as water

play14:57

and power can run, in addition to the space within this tunnels.

play15:03

When it comes to an above grade track of course, the situation is more or less similar to that

play15:07

of a bridge and you can see that we have the standard bridge piers and the slab and so

play15:12

on which is designed for the kind of loads that is to be carried by the structure.

play15:18

So, now other components in a metro system would include power supply, signaling, ticketing,

play15:28

etc.

play15:29

We have to make sure that there is no rush of people at ticket counters, and at places

play15:36

where there are wickets to check the tickets when the passengers are coming into the station

play15:40

and the passengers are going out of the station.

play15:42

Then, there is a very important component of emergency management.

play15:46

It could arise on account of power failures, it could arise on account of a terrorist threat,

play15:53

and, any kind of an unforeseen event.

play15:57

It could arise on account of an accident, where a derailment has occurred or where the

play16:03

trains have collided and so on and so forth.

play16:06

Apart from these, once we are talking of these things like I mentioned, there are issues

play16:14

related to lighting, ventilation, communication, air conditioning and power supply, besides

play16:24

fire fighting.

play16:25

All these plans have to be put in place so that the metro system can be designed.

play16:32

Now, it is no single engineer’s cup of tea, to be able to put together or have all the

play16:39

knowledge that is required for lighting and air conditioning, communication systems and

play16:43

so on.

play16:44

So, different people come together, form a team and carry out this exercise of planning

play16:52

and designing a metro system; it could be stations, it could be the track, it could

play16:58

be the control room, it could be the maintenance yard, and so on.

play17:02

So now, coming to the food for thought, this is a Type-2 assignment as I said we will probably

play17:10

not give you a solution because there is no solution to it.

play17:13

Find out the different cities in the world with well-developed metro systems.

play17:17

Now, in this day and age where information is not really at a premium, you can get information

play17:24

from a lot of sources, it is easier to find information.

play17:29

The more important issue, or, the trickier part is analyzing that information and using

play17:35

it to understand the subject matter of the system better.

play17:39

So, look at places like Tokyo or New York, London, Moscow which have well-developed metro

play17:49

systems; now of course we can include Delhi in that list.

play17:53

If we try to understand, look into the history and find out when were these systems built,

play17:59

what was the kind of technical issues addressed and how; that will make us understand the

play18:06

roles of different engineers better.

play18:10

The second question that I want to leave for you is, study the details the metro system

play18:15

in any three cities which could include important stations in the network.

play18:22

Delhi may have a certain number of stations, if you look at the Tokyo metro network you

play18:26

will find certain number of stations, if you look at the New York metro system, it will

play18:29

have a different number of stations; and the more the number of stations, the more the

play18:34

number of lines, the more complex the system becomes.

play18:39

And that makes the planning that much harder.

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Have you ever thought that when we change lines at a particular platform, how do those

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lines go?

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So, for example, if you are talking of a line which connects Point A to Point B, and, the

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line which connects Point C to Point D; how do these lines actually go as far as their

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layout is concerned?

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As far as the roads are concerned, we can easily have a crossing; we can have traffic

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signals to control, whether the traffic is moving between A and B or the traffic is moving

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C and D and whether the left turns are allowed right turns are allowed and so on and so forth.

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When it comes to metros, those kinds of degrees of freedom, if you want to call them, do not

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exist, but how do the lines cross?

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The lines will cross means that there have to be tunnels, or, it will be a grade separated

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system.

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And if it is a grade separation what should be the minimum clearance.

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So, these are the kind of things which are technical details we have to keep in mind

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when we try to do the layout planning of a metro system.

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So, I would like you to pay special attention, when you try to study the metro systems in

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different cities, as to what are the kinds of depths involved in these lines.

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The thumb rule basically is that if the line is very shallow, the line was probably one

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of the earlier lines that was built in that system.

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As we moved in time 10 years later, 15 years later, we want to add a line, and obviously,

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we will have to go deeper in the system.

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And that poses technical challenges which we need to address.

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Try to determine the total length of the metro system, try to understand the total number

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of special structures in that metro system, and try to see what is the average passenger

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traffic in a day in those metro systems.

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So, that will give you an idea that okay, this system is designed to handle a million

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people at hundred stations.

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So, what is the peak demand?

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So, how is the passenger movement being controlled at different stations in different trains?

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and so on.

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Let me assure you that if you do a thorough literature survey on this, or, if you look

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at some videos which are available for different metro systems, you will be able to make some

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very interesting observations.

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With this, I must repeat the reference books, but these reference books are not really centered

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on metro construction, they are more related to the course on construction management itself.

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So, in fact, you will probably have to look for some material on your own and try to understand

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the metro systems better.

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Thank you.

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الوسوم ذات الصلة
Construction ManagementMetro SystemsInterdisciplinaryUrban InfrastructureEngineering DisciplinesProject PlanningSafety MeasuresTechnical IssuesMaintenance YardsOperational Challenges
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