The modernisation work on the San Bernardo Cercanías station in Seville was carried out while maintaining the services of the station, which has a high degree of intermodality with other public transport in the city, such as Line 1 of the Metro, Line T1 of the tram system and various bus routes. The main objective of the project was to bring the passenger building in line with accessibility, fire safety and energy efficiency regulations, while seeking proper and feasible execution in terms of cost and completion of the works. The refurbishment also included a more rational arrangement of spaces –taking advantage of natural light– and improved transit and layout of the main hall. The exterior was also given new look that was in line with the interior modifications.

With a total of 4,710 m² of floorspace (1,100 m² in the main hall plus 3,600 m² for platforms), the station used to have two entrances at either end of the main façade, leaving a space in between occupied by the cafeteria, which had direct access from outside and inside, and two mezzanine storage areas connected by a walkway. The main hall originally had a ticket office and small commercial area at the centre, which split the natural flow of passengers by breaking the row of turnstiles and dividing it in two. The interior was illuminated by a large window in the façade –a key feature of the station– and the exposed, sloped roof enhanced and directed the entry of light. After passing through the turnstiles, passengers
descended to the platforms via two large lateral access spaces using escalators. The platforms, which also provided access the Seville Metro, were showing their age in terms of the finish and lack of lighting, making them gloomy and unwelcoming places.

After studying all of the possibilities, the decision was made to create a single entrance and direct the flow of passengers to a single row of turnstiles; move the commercial area, cafeteria and ticket office to the sides of the main hall; and expand and refurbish the mezzanine storage areas and turn them into offices for Renfe. This large space was enhanced with an expansive curved ceiling that levitates over it and serves as the main channel for light entering through the large window in the façade and also reduces noise inside by absorbing sound.

Accessible platforms and new facilities

In terms of the platforms, the use of new materials for the modernisation and refurbishment of the entire space was maximised. The suspended ceilings, light fixtures and sidewalls were removed and replaced with a sloped suspended ceiling that collects water from the tunnel slab and channels it to the side. This was reclad with cladding with substructure fixed to the existing cavity wall, creating a new chamber for water collection. The flooring (slip-resistance 3) on the platforms and platform edges was removed and replaced. The lighting was replaced by a continuous linear LED lighting system on the edge of platform.

Fire doors, two new lifts for the platforms and new emergency exit doors were installed, and the electrical system, communications room and electrical panels were renovated.

Surveying with a 3D laser scanner

New design technologies were used to create a functional concept that prioritizes accessibility and order in the flow of passengers. From the beginning of the Ineco project, BIM (Building Information Modelling), software from Revit was used, and it proved to be a highly useful tool in terms of improving coordination with structures and facilities, and generating a model that would also facilitate rapid understanding by all participants in order to streamline resolution of design details and issues. As a starting point for modelling the initial state of the station, a 3D laser scanner was used to survey the entire exterior and interior of the building, including the main hall, technical rooms and platforms. The three-dimensional laser scanner automatically measures a large number of points on the surface of an object in order to generate a data file. The points measured by the device are compiled into a point cloud georeferenced to the UTM coordinates. In this case, the laser also took georeferenced photos with a built-in camera and a specific program then allowed the integrated display of the point cloud and images in order to identify and locate elements, and obtain length and area measurements, among many other functions. The cloud provided a virtual replica of the station in the project’s computers that could be used as a tool for navigation and continuous consultation throughout the project, and to serve as a basis for the station’s parametric modelling in a program that supports BIM workflow.

Detailed planning made it possible to maintain all train services during the execution of the works

New lighting and electrical system

Information from the 3D laser scanner was used to improve data collection at the site. The generated files were used to obtain data on elevated elements, such as the diameter of main hall ducts, the size of platform grilles and the position of safety and passenger information elements. The work also included the installation of new systems for the renovation of the main hall and platforms. Any that were in good condition were kept and ventilation outlet and intake elements were adapted to the new suspended ceilings. Although the platform evacuation, use and occupation conditions were not modified, the capacity and condition of the emergency exits were analysed during the project stage.

The electrical system was completely overhauled, from the station’s transformer unit, and including new distribution boards and halogen-free wiring to bring the installation in line with the 2002 Low Voltage Regulations. New lighting was also proposed to adapt the system to the new distribution and the minimum requirements set out in the Building Regulations (CTE DB SUA) and Royal Decree 1544/2007 of 23 November concerning accessibility. This equipment was designed with a system to regulate and control each area, including a system to take advantage of natural light in the main hall. All of the proposed work was aimed at improving energy efficiency in the station; for example, the planned loads in the main hall are lower than the existing loads due to the reduction of usable area in the main hall and primarily the improvement of insulation of the roof, with the installation of a suspended ceiling with integrated insulation, and cladding of part of the exterior façade with an external thermal insulation composite system.

Another improvement in energy consumption was the installation of ventilation programmers on the platforms connected to a detection and control centre, CO detection elements, opacimeters and thermostats in order to reduce fan operating times. Finally, in the project stage, the energy certification of the building was simulated for reference using the CE3X v1.3 program, which is recognised by the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Public Works. This study confirmed the improvements and the existing building’s classification was upgraded.

MAIN HALL

Turnstiles in a single row.

The primary aim was to completely rearrange the main hall, including a new passenger service area, creating a single open space to facilitate the movement of users and passengers. To do this, a suspended ceiling was created to cover the entire main hall with insulation and integrated LED lighting, and turnstiles were expanded and relocated in a single line to facilitate routing. In addition, sidewall and flooring finishes were renovated to improve distribution and organization of the movement of passengers to both platforms.

Reduced mobility may be permanent or temporary, and it affects a broad spectrum of the population. This may include wheelchair users, people carrying large or heavy packages, people who are blind or deaf, as well as the elderly, pregnant women, parents with children in strollers, or people who have other physical difficulties to move normally. When using public transportation, their quality of life can be greatly affected if the infrastructure and adequate means to overcome barriers is not available. For this reason, the European Community and Spain both have laws that regulate the basic conditions of accessibility and non-discrimination in the access and use of means of transportation by people with disabilities.

In the case of Spain’s public transportation services, both the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and the public companies Aena, Adif and Renfe have spent years designing and improving transportation systems so that people with disabilities or reduced mobility can access and use them safely and comfortably. As part of this effort, in 2007, Renfe Operadora created Atendo, a free service to provide assistance to passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility. Atendo is a cutting-edge initiative in Europe and currently serves more than 120 railway stations. At the same time, in 2007, the company launched a Universal Accessibility Plan, which was extended and improved in 2010 and includes the adaptation of stations and trains.

Ineco, as an engineering and public consultancy company, has extensive experience in the remodelling and modernization of railway stations and airport terminals, in which the accessibility is one of the key criteria. Both the engineering and architecture teams, in the project phase, and the construction management team, have been working on conditioning and adapting mobility in more than 150 Cercanías stations since the start of this century.

In order to ensure the improvement of station accessibility, Ineco has drawn up execution projects for each station by identifying shortcomings and requirements, to provide a more sustainable approach and also carries out the works based on railway operation in order to avoid disrupting passenger travel.

Improvement of six COMMUTER RAIL stations in Andalusia

Many Spanish stations are more than 80 years old and, although they have undergone constant improvements, their facilities need to be updated to conform to current regulations. In general, the scope of these actions includes the installation of lifts connecting to walkways under or over tracks to link the platforms to each other or to the other areas of the station, the adaptation of stairs to the width and number of flights established in the standard, improvements in lighting, including routing elements in flooring, changing flooring to comply with non-slip requirements, raising platforms or adapting the height of the edge of the platform, and the addition of signal bands and platform edge pieces, in accordance with the Royal Decree.

This work isoften done at night in order to keep the service open to passengers and allow trains to run normally

This report showcases the work and projects currently being carried out as part of the Renfe Station Plan in six Cercanías railway stations in the provinces of Seville and Málaga.

1. Los Boliches station

The Los Boliches station forms part of the C-1 line in Málaga’s commuter rail network, and it serves approximately 1,928 passengers per day.

The works carried out at this station have resolved the main problem: to allow accessibility for people with reduced mobility by installing a lift and improving access using stairs and a ramp.

The actions consisted of the installation of a panoramic lift; modification of the arrangement of stairs and ramps; widening the access walkway to the platform; replacement of flooring and railings; raising of the platform above the level of the track; adaptation of edges in accordance with Adif regulations regarding the installation of podotactile flooring and signalling bands; modification of the shelter and reinforcement of its lighting to comply with current regulations, and replacement of the lighting system with LEDs.

2. Lora del Río station

The Lora del Río station forms part of the C-1 line in Seville’s commuter rail network, and it serves approximately 2,466 passengers per day.

The works at this station provided a solution to the existing accessibility limitations, adjusting the edges of platforms and installing lifts in the underpass, as well as raising the height of 31 metres of platform 2 in the direction of Córdoba, and extending platform 1, also approximately 31 metres long, in the same direction, giving both platforms a total length of 200 metres. Platforms 2 and 3 were also equipped with a shelter, over the stairs and as far as the lift access. The platform lighting was strengthened and replaced with an LED lighting system.

Another important addition was the installation of three new panoramic lifts that allow the movements of all passengers to the different platforms through the underpass.

3. Virgen del Rocío station

The Virgen del Rocío station forms part of the C-1, C-4 and C-5 lines of Seville’s commuter rail network. It serves approximately 6,758 passengers per day and is located in front of the Virgen del Rocío University Hospital in Seville.

The main actions at the station focused on inserting two lifts to allow accessibility between the lobby and the two platforms. The lifts were installed in this location due to the need to give priority to adequate functional distribution in the lobby as well as on the platforms. On the main platform, platform 2, the structure and layout of the ramp were modified to accommodate the lift. On platform 1, a panoramic lift was installed adjacent to the building, in the platform access area, and occupying part of the embankment.

In addition to the installation of lifts, a series of actions were carried out on the lobby, underpass and platforms to improve accessibility and appearance. These included the relocation of the existing ticket office in the commercial space, currently unused, allowing the rest of the commercial space to be used as an entrance lobby area, the installation of podotactile route indicator and the arrangement of turnstiles in a single set located in the lobby. Over the course of the project, a Customer Service area, separate from the lobby, was also implemented before the turnstile area, facilitating adequate provision of passenger services.

4. FUENGIROLA station

The Fuengirola station forms part of the C-1 line, which covers the route between that station and Málaga-Centro Alameda. The Fuengirola and Los Boliches stations are the two stations in the municipality that provide this commuter rail service.

With the works carried out at the Fuengirola station corrected its accessibility and lighting shortcomings. The main action consisted of adapting the central platform and lighting. To do this, both sides of the edge of the platforms on track 1 and track 2 were trimmed by between 5 and 15 cm to adapt them to the train’s clearance and the new piece of platform edge that was installed, along with the podotactile strip and yellow safety strip, in accordance with current accessibility regulations.

Floor routing was installed, along with signs for stairs and platform lifts on platforms and in the lobby. In addition, lighting, which is required from the street level to the platform, was strengthened.

5. BELLAVISTA station

The Bellavista station forms part of C-1 line in Seville’s commuter rail network (Lebrija-Utrera-Sevilla-Lora del Río), the network’s longest line along with C-3, and one that receives the most passengers, with an approximate demand of 1,683 per day. It is located on the edge of the city, where the railway line marks the division between urban and agricultural land.

The works solved the station’s main problem , which was to allow accessibility by people with reduced mobility by installing lifts. In addition, a series of actions were carried out on the underpass and the platforms to improve accessibility: installation of podotactile routing in the underpass; flooring to signal the location of lifts and stairs; and the replacement of the lighting system in the underpass with one with anti-glare LED technology. The works on the platforms involved the demolition and construction of new platform edges, following the guidelines for the improvement of accessibility to the railways stipulated in RD 1544/2007 and the Adif Accessibility Technical Manual.

6. Benalmádena station

The Benalmádena station is located at KM 19.6 on the of the Málaga-Fuengirola Iberian-gauge railway line and forms part of the C-1 Line of the Málaga commuter rail network.

On platform 1 of the Benalmádena station, the markings of the platform edge had to be adapted. Two carborundum strips (silicon carbide) were constructed in situ on the existing platform edge, in addition to the with the installation of a 60-cm podotactile piece and the yellow approach strip.

The main work was done on platform 2, raising the height of the entire length of the train platform (80 metres in total) to 68 cm above top of the rail and installing a new platform edge in accordance with the regulations. The platform was raised by constructing a rough brick wall and a new reinforced concrete floor, with the new edge piece installed on top, with a new 60-cm podotactile strip made of button tile, and the yellow warning strip. The new platform flooring was made of polished concrete.

In the lobby, route indicators were installed from the entrance door of the building to the passenger building, to the lifts and stairs that connect to the platforms, installing new signal flooring on them. The lighting on both platforms was renovated.

The train halt owes its name to the new Los Jardines de Hércules development, a collection of 2,000 dwellings recently built 9 kilometres to the south of Seville. With the entry into service of this station of line C1, located on the Seville-Cádiz railway line, users can now reach the centre of Seville in just 10 minutes.

The new facilities are located to the north of the former La Salud station, and 120 commuter trains of C1 and C5 lines serve it every day, favouring fluid and rapid communication with Seville centre, from whose station –Sevilla-Santa Justa– travellers can link up with the rest of Renfe services (commuter railway lines, medium-distance trains and AVE).

Ineco carried out the drafting of the building project and all of the works inherent in the management of the works and coordination of health and safety, which include the elements of the raised station and its access, the zone of shelters and platforms and the technical services building. Its peculiar design, which places the accesses and the hall of the station on a walkway in the shape of an irregular spatial tube, has required complex execution and management work. Thanks to its such unique geometry we were able to not modify the course of the railway line or its basic infrastructure, which allowed us to maintain the continual service of passengers and freight throughout the whole execution of the train halt.

Access to the hall is gained through automatic doors with a remote control mechanism and it is fitted with air conditioning. The hall contains self-service ticket machines, access control turning machines of a special width and the furniture and signage. The starting state for its design involves very limiting environmental conditions in relation to an already pre-determined structure, shape, dimensions and opacities. From this regular structure, the “game” of dislocating its structural joints begins, both vertically and horizontally, until a balance of the whole is achieved, resulting in an irregular structural frame, faceted in triangles.

Ineco has carried out the drafting of the building project and the works inherent in the management of the works and coordination of health and safety and management

This peculiar geometry of the walkway is developed along a transverse axis on the train tracks. The space has a closed and covered area –where the hall is located– and another open and covered zone, that leads to the access disembarkation area and the connection with the two platforms. As such, it has an uneven geometric shape, wider in the zone of the hall. The walkway is supported vertically on the masts of the lifts and on the intermediate pillars. These masts are also the horizontal supports of the structure for the loads of wind and earthquakes.

The work flow was carried out using a BIM model that, initially, served as a design tool with great speed in the execution of different design alternatives, subsequently to help external consultants in the calculation and dimensioning of the structure and, lastly, for the building development and its documentation. This BIM model was carried out with the Revit programme, taking advantage of the experience of the company in BIM until that date (new Odessa international airport, Elche station, etc.), which facilitated the idea of the design and its development in a very short space of time, just two months. The design and definition of such a complex volume in such a short space of time was possible thanks to the use of a BIM tool.

The design and definition of such a complex volume in such a short space of time was possible thanks to the use of a BIM tool

The lateral sides and roof of the walkway have diagonals and, as such, they function like lattices with elements working mainly through traction-compression. The lower side, having had to resolve both the structure of the floor and the overall bending behaviour, was resolved with parallel elements together, quasi perpendicular to the lower cords, forming an irregular Vierendeel beam. The structure of the slabs of the walkway floor was developed with a concrete slab on a corrugated sheet, which functions as lost formwork. The structure of the masts of the lifts consists of a spatial lattice formed by tubular elements of square section. It resists the loads of the lift itself, as well as those that the walkway transmits.

In accesses, walkways and disembarkation areas, mobility-accessible solutions have been installed in their finishes with the inclusion of tactile routing in accordance with the legislation in force and technical specifications of Renfe.

EXPERIENCE IN BIM

By Cristina Palmero, architect and BIM coordinator

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Ineco has worked for years on developing projects in the BIM (Building Information Modelling) environment, from the carrying out of simple works such as for this station, designed with the Revit tool, to large and complex projects and airport building works, line, rail and building projects. Amongst its many advantages, the work with BIM tools allows, in each project, the total integration of the architecture, the structure and the facilities; it also offers different alternatives of materials, designs and finishes, calculation of its costs, simulations of its construction to be carried out including security and health, and to opt for the best technical and aesthetic solution in a very quick period of time and in a collaborative environment. From the start of the project to the execution of works and its subsequent maintenance, the access of all professionals involved in the latest version and its history facilitates the coordination of disciplines, conflict solution and its proper budgetary management.

DESIGNED WITH REVIT.
The volumetric and structural irregularity of the walkway, as well as its various alternatives, were studied thanks to its modelling in Revit, which, in turn, allowed us to react very quickly in the event of changes and unforeseen events in the project.