Integrating BIM, AR, GPS, and 5G for Real-Time Construction Management: Application to Water Infrastructure Projects

Effective management of complex water transportation infrastructure projects requires integrated digital technologies that support real-time coordination, precise geospatial tracking, and scalable data handling under dynamic conditions. Existing approaches often face challenges such as limited interoperability, fragmented workflows, and poor real-time synchronization, particularly in projects with mobile or changing site boundaries. This study develops and rigorously evaluates a 5G-enabled modular framework integrating building information modeling (BIM), augmented reality (AR), and global positioning system (GPS) technologies to enable synchronized data exchange, on-site visualization, and enhanced decision making. Using a design science research (DSR) methodology, the framework was iteratively refined through two phases, including a pilot on a residential construction site and deployment on a 700-km canal linking the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers in China. Key features include lightweight BIM models optimized for real-time 5G transmission, a Unity-based platform for seamless BIM–AR integration, an AR application for precise coordination, and a GPS/GIS-enhanced positioning system ensuring spatial accuracy. The results include a model size reduced to less than 10% of the original BIM, interaction accuracy between the AR real scene and virtual AR model within 2%, and 5G channel coding error tolerance up to 3%, enabling smooth real-time interactions. Project participants reported improved comprehension of complex designs, which enabled faster task completion, fewer errors, enhanced situation awareness, and greater confidence in decision making. Unlike research focused on isolated technology pairings, this study presents a validated, location-aware, interoperable system architecture that integrates BIM, AR, GPS, and 5G within a modular framework, offering both theoretical and practical contributions to complex and dynamic water transportation infrastructure projects.