Bluebeam’s BIM software, Revu helps restore New York MTA’s train signal system, saving time and money for the entire city of New York
The New York MTA’s train signal system is outdated – it’s the same fixed-block signal system that was originally used when the subway system opened in 1904, and it’s prone to signal failures that cost New Yorkers time and money every day. However, a tool like Bluebeam’s BIM software, Revu in the hands of senior project engineer James Inglima of E-J Electric Installation Co can save his company, and the entire city of New York, valuable time.
Contracts went out to install voltage sag correctors at all of the signal switchers, a time-consuming operation due to the immense scale of the NYC subway system.
E-J Electric Installation Co, one of New York’s largest electrical contracting companies and a regular contractor for the MTA, won the work to install sag correctors across 96 stations.
This is where Inglima comes in to do the job with Revu, Bluebeam’s PDF-based platform for editing, marking up and sharing blueprints. Inglima’s task was to survey signal switchers, take pictures and document measurements then create blueprints for the installation of the sag correctors.
Revu saves time
Traditionally, a job like this would require at least two days for each blueprint but the team decided to try BIM software, Revu on a tablet to see if they could save any time. The performance was so positive that even Inglima, a fan of Revu, was surprised by how much time they saved.
“This unique job was perfect for [Revu]. For the amount of detailing in sketches in this thing, the equipment down there, it’s perfect for going out and doing sketches instead of having to bring a clipboard and hand sketching it with a ruler and doing all that,” Inglima explained.
“Being able to import pictures is huge, so we can take pictures of existing situations and that way I can direct my foremen where I want them to be or how I want them to install something. I just use the existing picture and I could show it right on there.”
The experiment worked. “We did 96 stations in 96 working days,” Inglima said proudly. “I was able to use the signature tools that day, and everything got signed and sent out for production immediately. There was no turnover time, there was no going back to the office. I reckon we saved ourselves another 96 days.”
A more digital approach
Inglima noted that: “The older guys have been doing it with a pen, paper, rulers and coloured pencils for years and years. And I show up with my tablet, and I’m in and out… it took me eight hours for the first one, but once you get it, 15-20 stations in, I’m done in five hours.”
Inglima added: “We supplement a lot of our drawings now with sketches that we do in Revu.”
There are still many challenges ahead for the NYC subways, but at least for Inglima and E-J Electric Co, they’re taking advantage of the cost-saving solutions that modern technology offers and making the daily commute of millions of New Yorkers that much faster.
Learn more about the quantity estimation tools in Revu at www.bluebeam.com/uk/solutions/revu.
Please note: this is a commercial profile.
