Automated Integration of BIM and 3D GIS for Sustainable Infrastructure Management

In this paper, we present an automated integration approach for BIM and 3D GIS data about infrastructure projects to improve human-machine interaction with respect to sustainable project management. Based on the step-by-step process that starts with the preparation of data in BIM about buildings and complex infrastructures, CAD for the buried networks and terrain models, and BIM itself for buildings and complex infrastructures by generating IFC models. This is followed by a cleansing and optimisation step to find geometric conflicts. ETL processes automate the development of a unified spatial database integrating BIM and GIS data, without loss to geometric or attribute data. Automation tools are used to transfer data between BIM and GIS environments. This process enables the design of a 3D GIS application for 3D visualization and advanced spatial queries, such as efficient monitoring and decision making. From a case study in preliminary infrastructure projects, such as underground networks and building structure mapping, significant improvements in workflow efficiency were observed, improving by 30%, and data errors were reduced by 20% compared to manual methods. It is an essential gain for infrastructure integration and management, in particular within the complex environments involving smart cities. This approach contributes to sustainable infrastructure management through the use of global real-time views about projects.