Welcome Maria Jose Hernandez Guevara
We are delighted to welcome Maria as a new member of the R+R staff and wish her every success in her new role.
Maria holds an MSc in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical Engineering/Construction and Maintenance Management) from ETH Zurich, as well as a BSc in Civil Engineering (Honours, cum laude) from the Universidad de Los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia.
Thanks to her many years’ experience in client representation, tunneling and underground construction, procurement, and operational and strategic project management, she is an excellent addition to our R+R-Team’s consultancy and technical expertise.
N11/60, N01/42 UPlaNS – ZH-Ost–Kloten Süd Interchange (ZOK), Completion of the Maintenance Concept (EK) Phase
Renato Käppeli / Stefan Isler
Over the past two years, we have supported the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) as project-owner support unit in the development of the maintenance concept (EK) for the ZOK project.
In addition to renewal work, smaller, targeted improvements to enhance traffic safety and traffic flow were also examined.
A particular challenge in this demanding project was the dense population and high traffic volume in the vicinity of Zurich Airport.
Approval for the EK has been granted, and we look forward to supporting the next project phases.
N06.32 EP Muri – Rubigen
On April 23rd, 2026, the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications issued planning approval for the "N06.32 EP Muri – Rubigen" maintenance project on the A6 motorway to FEDRO’s Thun branch. If no objections are received, the next phase of the planning process can be started. Actual maintenance work on this section of the motorway as well as on the Worb feeder road will be carried out from 2029 onwards.
N08 EP Sarnen South – Hergiswil
On the northernmost section of the N8, which forms part of the important transit axis between Central Switzerland and the Bernese Oberland, extensive renovation work is planned for the coming years on the route, engineering structures, and operational and safety facilities. We are delighted to be supporting the Zofingen branch of ASTRA as the client's representative in this project.
Welcome Maria Jose Hernandez Guevara
N11/60, N01/42 UPlaNS – ZH-Ost–Kloten Süd Interchange (ZOK), Completion of the Maintenance Concept (EK) Phase
N06.32 EP Muri – Rubigen
N08 EP Sarnen South – Hergiswil
COST AND QUALITY BENCHMARKING
| On a line-by-line basis, the infrastructure costs of the BLS railway network were compared to a benchmark with the aim of determining the „best practices“ regarding maintenance and investment costs, and in respect of operating quality. With the help of visualised results, comprehensive interpretations were drawn up with the staff responsible for the infrastructure, scope for action was presented and strategic directions for future improvements were discussed. Findings regarding best practices or poor practices were examined in depth on a case-by-case basis with the help of specific analyses, and potentials for savings and/or upgrading were identified for the individual lines. Line-by-line analyses were undertaken regarding the track, safety equipment and parts of the operation. Cost and quality differences between individual sections were derived with the help of various statistical and econometric methods, and these were examined from various perspectives. The influence of curve radii, line lengths, the quality of track positioning and of the numbers and weights of trains, etc., on investment and maintenance costs was analysed in detail, and relationships between costs, quality, infrastructural factors and traffic load were evaluated. On one hand, the results allow the identification of cost saving potentials; and on the other, the results also provide an important basis in order to develop objectives for future services. However, with the help of data on work undertaken, it was possible to make comparisons not only between costs, but also between the services on which the costs were based. This approach made it possible to quantify efficiency improvements based not only on cost reductions, but also on improved service provision. |
Client
BLS AG Infrastructure
Processing period
2010 – 2011
Project type
Rail
Services
Consulting
Fields of expertise
Benchmarking
Downloads
Project sheet
Contact
Dr. Jost Lüking
Consultant economics, chairman of the board of directors