Enabling rail asset capture quickly and safely

Complete rail asset capture without disrupting construction in a matter of weeks

Gotthard Image

PROJECT: Capturing all the infrastructure of the Gotthard Base Tunnel for as-built documentation
CUSTOMER: Grunder Ingenieure AG
PRODUCT: Leica Pegasus:Two
OBJECTIVE: Grunder Ingenieure AG was contracted to deliver a complete inventory and as-built documentation of the Gotthard Base Tunnel without disrupting the ongoing construction

Grunder Ingenieure AG was contracted to deliver a complete inventory and as-built documentation of the Gotthard Base Tunnel. Using Leica Pegasus:Two, the firm was able to efficiently capture the entire project in only a few weeks, without disrupting the ongoing construction and benefiting all working stakeholders. The company selected the Pegasus:Two to capture infrastructure of the newly built open tracks safely and efficiently enabling engineers to work with the most accurate representation available.

Download the full case study for more information


When the Gotthard Base Tunnel officially opened in June 2016 as part of the New Rail Link through the Alps (NRLA), a construction project 20 plus years in the making at 9.8 billion Swiss francs yielded the world’s longest and deepest traffic tunnel. At 57 kilometres long and with a rock overburden of 2,300 meters, the tunnel increases the total transport capacity across the Swiss Alps while reducing passenger travel time between northern and southern Europe by one hour. With minimal gradient and wide curves, the route is also a flatter, lower-level journey at only 550 m above sea level. The whole tunnel system measures a total of 152 km, plus almost 50 km of newly built outdoor tracks.

When Grunder Ingenieure AG, a leading Swiss engineering firm specialising in rail surveys and long-time user of Leica Geosystems solutions, was sub-contracted by the Alptransit Gotthard AG, the firm knew it would be a challenging task but one for the history books. One of the main tasks, before the tracks opened for the test operation, was to capture all the infrastructure of the tunnel for as-built documentation.

Sharing information with stakeholders


“There are several stakeholders working on the overall project, and we were tasked with registering the entire infrastructure to collect for the infrastructure database of the Swiss Federal Railways. All these users can now access this information,” said Gilbert Roulier, Grunder’s director of imagining, laser scanning and mobile mapping.

Collecting rail asset information


The firm selected the Pegasus:Two to capture the entire infrastructure of the newly built open tracks safely and efficiently. In combination with Leica Geosystems total stations, Grunder was able to provide a complete database of 3D imagery and point clouds covering the rails, signage, posts, electrical lines, and further installations and structural elements.

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Enabling mapping of transport infrastructure

Mobile 3D solutions for transport infrastructure mapping enable fast and safe digitisation of structures and assets while reducing surveying time and traffic disruption.

Want to learn more about capturing all the infrastructure of the Gotthard Base Tunnel? Download the full case study.

Leica Pegasus:Two

The vehicle-independent fast and efficient mobile sensor platform reduces your time in the field and opens new business opportunities.