Update on BTS/ICE specification 4th edition

Eberle says the presentation will give a status update to brief BTS members and the industry on the ongoing work of updating the Specification, the last version of which (3rd edition) was issued in 2009.

The status update will focus on three aspects – Building on Success; Industry Business Card; and Industry Collaboration.

The first point, Building on Success, will explain how the Specification’s content is being updated to reflect experience on milestone tunnelling projects since 2009, including Crossrail, Thames Tideway, Bank Station Upgrade, Victoria Station Upgrade and the Northern Line Extension.

The Industry Business Card is to acknowledge how and where the updated BTS Specification will be positioned in relation to many other specifications and guidance that have been published, updated or first issued internationally (eg. by AFTES, DAUB, ITA, STUVA, ACI) since 2009.

On Industry Collaboration, Eberle will brief on observations so far from the peer review and contribution and further opportunities for industry input. Workshops have already been held with industry stakeholders from the supply chain, and also by reaching out to recognised tunnelling industry experts and major owners (HS2, LTC, LPT2, TfL).

The format of the BTS meeting will be a slide presentation, plus Q&A, to inform the industry of what changes to expect and what NOT to expect in the Specification update, the timeline to publication and the opportunity for further engagement in the next (2nd) round of peer review. A further status briefing is planned to be shared at WTC 2023.