Project name: Reconstruction of railway line M606 Knin-Zadar, section from Station Dalmatinske Oštrovice to Station Raštevići
Location: Croatia
Design team: Granova, a specialised project office for the preparation of project documentation and consulting in the field of transport engineering, especially railway infrastructure.
The goal:The project aims to rehabilitate and modernize the M606 Knin-Zadar railway line to improve safety, efficiency, and operational speed while ensuring compliance with modern railway standards.
Design objects: The project includes track reconstruction, bridge and tunnel rehabilitation, railway crossing upgrades, station and stop renovations, modernization of signaling and telecommunications systems, improved electrification and lighting, and enhanced drainage and stability measures.
Software solution used: Ferrovia by CGS Labs
Project Overview
The railway track M606 Knin-Zadar has long been a fundamental link in Croatia’s transportation network, facilitating both international freight movement and regional passenger transit. Serving as a direct connection between the port of Zadar and the RH2 corridor, the railway plays a crucial role in supporting economic activities and trade within the region. However, the infrastructure had seen little modernization since its initial construction, with some sections dating back to 1963. Over time, extensive wear and tear, coupled with the absence of electrification, led to deteriorating track conditions that posed significant operational and safety risks. As a result, a comprehensive renewal project was initiated, targeting critical sections of the railway, particularly Knin-Radučić and Dalmatinska Ostrovica–Bibinje.
Project Challenges
Given the aging infrastructure, the railway presented several challenges that needed to be addressed to ensure its continued viability. The track quality had significantly degraded, leading to speed limitations and increased maintenance costs. Furthermore, the lack of modern signaling systems meant that safety measures had to be enhanced to comply with contemporary railway standards. Structural elements such as bridges and tunnels required assessment and reinforcement, and the track geometry needed to be optimized to improve train speed and efficiency. One of the key objectives was to modernize the railway while ensuring minimal deviation from the existing track alignment, thus reducing costs and environmental impact while maximizing efficiency.
Implementation of Ferrovia Software
To tackle these challenges efficiently, the Ferrovia software was utilized as a core component of the project, providing advanced tools for railway design. Ferrovia is a professional, BIM-ready solution for railway design and track analysis, fully compliant with country-specific regulations, including the Croatian railway design standard. It offers a comprehensive set of design tools that enable users to achieve the highest level of project precision. The software includes advanced capabilities for alignment and profile design, detailed cross-section creation and editing, applied cant, turnouts, and rail connections. In addition to its extensive functionality, Granova values the advantage of prompt and expert support from the CGS Labs’s local distributor.
Image 1: Layout Plan: Reconstruction of Railway Line M606 Knin-Zadar, created using Ferrovia software
Image 2: Longitudinal Profile: Reconstruction of Railway Line M606 Knin-Zadar, created using Ferrovia software
Image 3: Characteristic Cross-Sections
Image 4: Cross Sections of the Railway Line M606 Knin-Zadar
Project Outcomes
The railway renewal project will have a profound and far-reaching impact on transportation efficiency and network capacity. The upgraded sections will support speeds of 80–100 km/h, a significant improvement compared to the previous limits of 40–50 km/h. Additionally, the axle load capacity has been increased to 20 t/axle and 8 t/m, significantly enhancing the railway’s ability to handle larger freight volumes. This upgrade will not only reduce travel times but also lower transportation costs and improve the competitiveness of rail transport in the region.
Furthermore, the project included upgrades to signaling and traffic management systems, significantly improving safety for both passengers and freight operators. The modernized safety systems allow for better traffic control and quicker responses to unforeseen circumstances, ultimately reducing the risk of accidents and enhancing overall service reliability.
This railway upgrade goes beyond technical improvements—it also lays the foundation for the sustainable development of rail transport. The project aligns with both European and national goals for reducing the environmental impact of transportation and increasing the energy efficiency of the entire system.
Conclusion
The reconstruction of the M606 Knin-Zadar railway line represents a significant step toward modernizing Croatia’s railway infrastructure. By addressing critical structural issues, upgrading signaling and telecommunications, and optimizing track geometry, the project aims to enhance both safety and efficiency. Once completed, the improvements will allow for increased train speeds of up to 100 km/h and improved load-bearing capacity, ensuring better freight and passenger transport.
The rehabilitation efforts focus on minimizing deviations from the existing track alignment, reducing environmental impact and project costs. The integration of advanced railway design tools supports precise planning and execution, ensuring compliance with modern engineering and safety standards.
Ultimately, the revitalized railway line is expected to strengthen regional connectivity, boost economic potential, and secure a more reliable transport link between central Croatia and the Dalmatian coast. The success of this project highlights the importance of strategic investments in railway infrastructure, laying the foundation for further enhancements in the national and international railway network.
About Granova
Granova is a specialised project office for the preparation of project documentation and consulting in the field of transport engineering, especially railway infrastructure. They deal with the planning of new and the reconstruction of existing railway lines, the overhaul of existing lines, the reconstruction of existing and the construction of new stations and stops, the planning of industrial tracks and terminals for the transhipment of bulk goods, etc. The creative spirit of Granova engineers has become a symbol of modern, high-quality design solutions, which are a basis for the realisation of dynamic development in the process of investment in railway infrastructure.