Smart City
Smart City development concepts aim to make cities more liveable, efficient, technologically advanced, ecological and socially inclusive.
It is assumed that around 70% of the world's population will live in large cities by 2050. The underground will play a key role in implementing such smart city concepts as space above ground becomes sparse.
For example, the underground can contribute to energy & data management systems, realization of sponge cities, underground living, underground food production and more.
The Hagerbach Test Gallery is an ideal environment to test such smart city concepts before implementation.
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Where cutting-edge research meets real-world application
In the Hagerbach Test Tunnel, new visions of the cities of tomorrow are emerging in laboratories far below ground level.
It's no wonder that in December 2024, the Federal Council designated our fascinating tunnel as a research infrastructure of national importance.
Have we sparked your curiosity? Then: roll the film!
Underground Energy Systems for smart cities
With the development of these cities, different energy levels such as transportation systems, smart grids and microgrids have emerged, which pose various challenges for the multidimensional energy management system.
For example, the control and availability of different forms of energy must be ensured for millions of people in a relatively small space. Underground energy systems that are interconnected, controllable and powered by renewable energy sources can serve as a beacon for the global development of smart cities with limited environmental impact.
More about energy solutions research at Hagerbach.
Edge Computing Underground! A real scale prototype at Hagerbach.
The future "smart cities," becoming increasingly densely populated, will encounter spatial and energy limitations due to limited available space and escalating energy demands. The concept of "Edge Computing Underground!" presents an efficient solution that is space-saving, cost-effective, secure, and resource-efficient.
More about the Edge Computing Underground! prototype and concept.
A sponge city is a smart city
Another aspect of smart cities is the concept of the sponge city, which refers to an urban environment that mimics the ability of a sponge to absorb and store water when it rains and then release and utilize the stored water as needed to facilitate the movement of rainwater within the city. A sponge city is highly resilient to water-related disasters. Through the clever use of underground space, it is possible to build or expand underground water reservoirs and tunnels.
A sponge city can strengthen its capacity to protect against flooding and increase the quality of life by lowering temperatures by several degrees during the hottest season. Such organic integration of sponge cities will be conducive to the long-term sustainability of human society in cities.
The Hagerbach Test Gallery, with its expandable underground space, provides a safe and controllable underground environment for the development and testing of new technologies for smart water (and energy) control in urban areas.
digitalization testing for a Smart City
Digitalization in future smart cities is vital for efficiency, sustainability, innovation, citizen engagement, resilience, and safety. However, testing different scenarios and options before implementation is crucial to ensure successful outcomes. By simulating various scenarios, cities can anticipate challenges, identify optimal solutions, and mitigate risks.
Testing allows for adjustments based on real-world data and stakeholder feedback, ensuring that implemented solutions align with the city's goals and meet the needs of its residents. Additionally, testing helps optimize resource allocation, minimize disruptions, and maximize the benefits of digitalization initiatives.
Overall, thorough testing before implementation enhances the likelihood of successful outcomes and fosters the development of smarter, more resilient cities.
Tunnel Digitalisation Centre at Hagerbach
One place where allready today tests can be conducted is the Tunnel Digitalization Centre. Since 2019 the centre allows for demonstration and simulation in a realistic enviroment. Demonstrating new technologies and innovative concepts on a 1:1 scale enhances comprehension of intricate processes and procedures, while also ensuring a high level of cost-effectiveness.
More at the underground future lab:
For around 60 years, the renowned Swiss Amberg Group has been a leader in engineering and surveying services for railway, metro, underground and specialised civil engineering.
The family-owned company is an innovative knowledge, engineering and technology provider in the field of logistics and infrastructure for smart cities, hubs and networks. We provide outstanding solutions for our customers through innovatively combining above-ground and underground space utilisation.
Amberg Engineering
Engineering services for the construction of underground infrastructure
Planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of railway, road, utility and metro tunnels, as well as caverns
Amberg Technologies
Systems and solutions for railway and tunnel surveying
Acquisition, evaluation and refinement of measurement data in infrastructure construction
Amberg Infra 7D
Digital services in the infrastructure environment
Geo-monitoring, mobile mapping, digital construction, geomatics and inspection services
Amberg Loglay
Smart city and construction logistics solutions
Sophisticated logistics solutions for efficient and future-orientated construction projects
Amberg Infocon
High-quality design and BIM services
Design, BIM, consulting, PMC and IT solutions for architecture, engineering and construction
VersuchsStollen Hagerbach
The underground future lab
Extensive underground research infrastructure for testing and development, testing laboratory for building materials, training centre and event facilities
QAECY
Intelligent information
Analysing documents and data with artificial intelligence to create a unified view of reality
Your underground experts
- Rail tunnels, including high-speed rail
- Metro lines
- Tunnel and shaft infrastructure
- Caverns with large cross-sections
- Energy storage and utilities
Engineering at its best
- Numerous services for your entire project cycle, from feasibility, planning and construction to renewal of your infrastructure
- Trained specialists and experts in planning and design, geotechnics, and project management
Infrastructure experts
- Rail, metro and tunnels
- Underground spaces
- Mining and shafts
Systems and solutions
- Slab track, tamping, mapping, surveying and inspections
- Tunnel machine guidance
- Tunnel profile measurements and stakeout
- Undulation
- Layer thickness control
- Surface inspection
- Geological predicting during tunnel excavation
- Surveying, data analysis and maintenance
Digital infrastructure experts
- Data acquisition and processing
- Monitoring
- Measurement of geotechnical tasks
- Maintenance and operation
- Process optimisation and digital continuity
Solutions and services
- Geo-monitoring
- Mobile mapping
- Geomatics
- Inspection services
- Digital construction
Smart cities and construction logistics experts
- Manage stakeholders across the value chain
- Improve construction mobility in dense cities
- Unlock up to 50% of the true potential of assets
- Integrate circular economy principles into construction
- Use smart data throughout the supply chain
Solutions for construction sites
- End-to-end digital logistics processes
- Rapid prototyping and smart sensors (IoT)
- Logistics concept and manual (3D/4D)
- Integration of logistics data
- Logistics insights management (LIM)
- Construction logistics management (CLM)
- Management of external hubs and consolidation
Design and construction experts
- Design and BIM integration
- Coordination between different disciplines
- Information workflow setup
- Facility management and BIM integration
- Visualisation
Services
- BIM implementation and creation of models
- Clash detection, coordination and clash resolution
- Construction documentation and shop drawings
- 4D simulation and 5D estimation
- Underground utilities
- Laser scan to as-built models
- IT solutions – BIM integration with FM application
VersuchsStollen Hagerbach - The underground future lab
Recently named a research infrastructure of national importance, we have been providing the space and expertise to turn visions into innovations for over 50 years.
Your analysis and testing requirements
- Real scale test and prototype environment
- Analysis of construction material
- Training facility
- Unique location for your event
Our facilities and services
- Various test sites, test procedures and management
- Concrete and rock laboratory
- Training environment and syllabus
- Seminar rooms, event cavern and restaurant
AI agent as a service for the construction industry
- AI agent dedicated to the AEC industry
- Easy access to complex project information
- Helps in taking confident, informed decisions
- Opens data silos, unlocks all content and uncovers context
- Effortless interaction with your most valuable asset – your collective knowledge
Solution and services
- AI agent as a service
- Strategic consulting and training
- Development of tailored solutions