Tunnel Engineering

Tunnels transform transportation networks by linking nations, uniting communities, and reducing travel time. Water and wastewater tunnels make modern hygiene and sanitation standards possible. Utility tunnels bring us our electricity, telephone, internet, and gas pipelines, enabling us to power our lives. Underground spaces contribute to our transit networks, our energy reserves, and our scientific research. Tunnel design and construction requires a wide range of engineering skills to deliver innovative solutions.

Our design teams work extensively with the latest technologies, including numerical modeling of ground/structure interaction, BIM and VDC. This allows us to perfect schematics in virtual reality, allowing problems to be rectified before ground is broken and reducing the likelihood of surprises arising during construction that can cause delays, extra costs, or damage to surrounding structures.

Our wide-ranging expertise in rail, roads, and aviation means that we understand tunnels from all sides of the project, resulting in a holistic approach to their design and construction.

Systems Engineering Support

WSP can provide project support in order to mitigate risk in a wide range of infrastructure projects, particularly large and complex projects. Most tunnel projects fall into one or both of these categories and therefore will benefit from taking a Systems Engineering approach to delivery. 

WSP in New Zealand has dedicated System Engineers trained in supporting a systems engineering approach to project delivery. In addition to our strong New Zealand team, are the 30+ System Engineering Specialists in Australia that we work closely within New Zealand. 

International Best Practice

WSP has a strong global Systems Engineering capability within rail, including a team of 65+ System Engineers in the UK.  We collaborate frequently across the business to spread best practice and support international project delivery.  

project benefits

The main benefit of a Systems Engineering approach to project delivery is to mitigate the risks associated with large or complex projects. These typically manifest as cost and schedule overruns or in the worst cases scenario - delivery of a solution that is not fit for purpose. Investment in Systems Engineering techniques from early in a project life cycle has been shown to reduce rework and lead to significant cost and schedule benefits over the project life cycle. 

Success stories 

WSP is heavily involved in the City Rail Link project in Auckland; New Zealand's largest infrastructure project to date.  Part of our role is to provide Requirements Management and Systems Integration services. Internationally, WSP has worked on many of the World's largest rail and tunnelling projects including Crossrail, High Speed 2, California High-Speed Rail and Sydney Metro West.