Korea National Railway to manage facilities in 3D and bore tunnels with lasers

[Financial News] Korea National Railway will showcase railway maintenance and construction technologies that combine geospatial information with advanced technologies. Exhibits will include a 3D information-based facility management platform, laser tunnel excavation technology and a digital map of major railway projects.
Korea National Railway said on the 4th that it would take part in the 2026 K-Geo Festa, held over three days from the 4th through the 6th at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. The agency has participated as a co-organizer of the event, hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, for three consecutive years since 2024.
The pilot model of the Railway Facility Maintenance BIM Platform, which Korea National Railway will showcase, is a technology that shifts management from an approach centered on 2D drawings and documents to one based on 3D geospatial information. The agency expects that, starting in 2027, it will be integrated with lifecycle data for all railway facilities to proactively manage risk factors and support the AI transition.
High-Power Laser Tunnel Excavation Technology was developed to reduce noise and vibration and to adapt to confined spaces and changes in tunnel cross-sections. It is expected to shorten urban tunnel construction timelines and improve construction quality through precision excavation.
The National Railway Construction Projects Digital Map shows the progress of 36 major railway construction projects across the country, including the Great Train eXpress (GTX). Visitors can browse information on each project at kiosks.
Korea National Railway Chairman Jeong Jin-hyeok said, “We will move quickly to drive digital innovation in railway construction and maintenance through the convergence of geospatial information and advanced technologies. On this basis, we will proactively manage risk factors and prevent safety accidents, creating a railway environment that the public can use with confidence.”
[email protected] Choi Ga-young Reporter