The regional ACES conference entitled "Future trends in the construction industry 2025" was held on October 30 and 31, 2025 in the Sava Center, organized by the Association for the Construction Industry of Serbia (ACES) with the participation of leading experts in the field of construction, architecture and infrastructure development. Within the framework of numerous panels and presentations, topics of key importance for the industry were discussed, from the management of large projects, the application of digitization and artificial intelligence, to modern approaches to sustainable development and inclusive design.
In the part of the program dedicated to special guests, innovations on the Belgrade metro project were presented, which were presented by Aleksandra Perović, director of the Signaling and Telecommunications Department at the "Belgrade Metro and Train" PUC, Belgrade. She introduced the attendees to technological innovations that are applied in all phases of project implementation - from design and construction to future system maintenance.
Special attention was paid to the establishment of a common digital data environment (CDE - Common Data Environment) within the project lifecycle management platform (PLM - Project Lifecycle Management). This innovative solution enables efficient cooperation of all participants, sharing of information from different disciplines and is the basis for the application of the "virtual twin" concept. In this way, the foundations were laid for digital transformation in the management of large infrastructure systems. During the conference, Perović pointed out that within the framework of the PLM platform, using the available project documentation, the proof of concept was successfully completed and that the first virtual models of physical objects were created, which will be upgraded in the following stages and used for simulations, analyzes and performance optimization in real time.
During her presentation, Perović presented new solutions in the area of signaling and automatic train control, which will enable trains to communicate directly with each other and with the operational control center, without intermediaries. By applying this system, the capacity of the network is increased, the amount of required railway equipment is reduced by about 20% and the consumption of electricity is reduced by approximately 30%.
In the field of electric power supply, emphasis is placed on the application of reversible substations that allow the energy generated during train braking to be returned to the network and used to power the stations, which will bring savings of 7-8% of total energy consumption. Such solutions significantly improve energy efficiency and support the vision of sustainable development of the city.
Perović added that the implementation of the digital twin in all phases of the Belgrade metro project represents a step towards the modernization of the construction industry and better management of complex infrastructure systems. This approach provides real-time process monitoring, risk management and simulation of different scenarios, which achieves greater efficiency, cost reduction and better results.
JKP "Belgrade Metro and Train" Belgrade has already achieved significant progress in the preparation and implementation of the project, from the preparation of studies and projects of tracks and stations, the selection of technology and equipment, to the initiation of the process of manufacturing TBM machines for tunnel excavation. In this way, the Belgrade metro project, as one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in the country, will contribute to the establishment of sustainable public transport and position the city of Belgrade as a leader in the field of modernization of transport infrastructure.
At the end of her presentation, Perović emphasized the importance of the cooperation of all actors and partners on the project, stressing that the construction of the metro is an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy to future generations through joint engagement, a common good of inestimable importance for the city and its citizens.
