Integrating road information modeling (RIM) and geographic information system (GIS) for effective utility relocations in infrastructure projects

Abstract

PurposeTransportation infrastructure projects are inevitably delayed due to delays in the completion of underground utility relocation. Unfamiliar location, difficulty in utility identification and use of ineffective coordination practices hamper timely completion of utility relocation works. This paper aims to develop integrated road information modeling (RIM) and geographic information system (GIS) models to assist early identification of utilities and effective coordination during utility relocation in infrastructure projects.Design/methodology/approachAn ethnographic action-based case study research methodology was adopted in this paper. Two ongoing infrastructure projects with significant utility relocation delays are chosen as case studies and integrated RIM-GIS models are developed to assist utility relocation. To verify the applications of developed RIM-GIS models, a focus group discussion was conducted with 10 field experts from the considered case studies.FindingsThe application of the developed RIM-GIS models enabled 3D visualization of existing underground utilities and enabled identification of utility conflicts before the start of the construction. They also enabled facilitating coordination and reduce utility relocation delays. The evaluation of the developed models shows that the RIM-GIS model approach enabled early planning and coordination and facilitates effective management of utility relocations.Practical implicationsThe current practices of using CAD and GIS for utility relocations are inadequate due to the difficulties in characterizing utilities and ineffective coordination practices. The proposed RIM-GIS approach can be adopted as a suitable alternative for effective management of utility relocations.Originality/valueSeveral studies have contributed toward integrating BIM and GIS for the analysis of highway and utility infrastructure projects. Efforts on integrating RIM and GIS for the support and management of utility relocations in highway and utility infrastructure projects remain unexplored.

Operational Barriers against the Use of Smart Contracts in Construction Projects

“…FGD is an exploratory discussion technique that has been extensively used in research studies to collect expert opinions [47], [61] and is particularly convenient for exploring the diverse perspectives of participants with similar backgrounds, opinions, or experiences on a research topic [62], [63]. Gold and Vassell [61] highlighted the advantages of focus groups such as time-effective and cost-effective.…”

“…Gold and Vassell [61] highlighted the advantages of focus groups such as time-effective and cost-effective. They can also generate satisfactory output with the involvement of 5 to 10 participants [62]. Yu and Leung [64] addressed that 4 to 6 participants constituted mini focus groups and 7 to 10 participants constituted small focus groups.…”

Civil Integrated Management (CIM) for Advanced Level Applications to Transportation Infrastructure: A State-of-the-Art Review

“…Studies in the field of transportation infrastructure have shown that implementing GIS in a project could reduce project costs while increasing workflow accuracy and efficiency [37,134,135]. GIS capabilities were employed to find highway sections that received multiple reconstructions over their planning prospect [136], apply geotechnical considerations in a highway layout [102], detect utility conflicts in railway projects prior to construction [38], prioritize maintenance plans [137], create a geo-enabled geometric design for highways, conduct environmental assessment of concrete mixes [138], and optimize construction site material distribution layout [139]. Studies also employed GIS for pavement performance analysis to investigate the impact of different factors such as precipitation, [140][141][142], mass movement susceptibility prediction [143], sustainability-based management [144], construction quality evaluation [27], functional road classification [145], and climate change risk assessment of critical infrastructure [146].…”

Application of Geographic Information System (GIS) in construction: a systematic review

“…Sharafat et al, (2021) developed a BIM-GIS-based integrated framework for an underground utility management system for earthwork operations. Likewise, Rajadurai and Vilventhan (2021) developed an integrated model using Road Information Modelling (RIM) and GIS to facilitate an ongoing utility relocation in infrastructure projects. However, all existing systems and frameworks developed are based on different model standards and experience loss of information during conversion.…”