Uses of Augmented reality for urban utilities management

Abstract

Augmented reality (AR) is based on supplementing the view of the physical world with a computer-generated content such as text, images videos, sound, 3D objects etc. The proliferation of smart mobile devices and their high computational capabilities combined with the possibility of GIS 3D visualization and interaction have enabled new kinds of mobile applications. AR is considered as an efficient technology for the underground utilities management. Damages to underground utility lines are considered as one of the major urban problems because incidents caused by unsafe digging practices can compromise community safety and disconnect people from vital services. A prospective study was conducted to identify examples and characteristics of each type of augmented reality. This paper summarizes researches about the types of AR and discuss how this technology could help in underground utilities repairing and maintenance. We present a new mobile location based augmented reality system using smart device sensors and the Real Time Kinematic (RTK) satellite navigation technology of ORPHEON network for the location accuracy. This system enables GIS data visualization to help field workers in outdoor maintenance of underground infrastructures.

A Survey of GIS and AR Integration: Applications

“…Ref. [59] discusses the applications of AR for urban utility management. An outdoor AR is proposed to aid workers on-site for the maintenance of underground infrastructures using GIS data.…”

A Review of Augmented Reality Applications in Civil Infrastructure During the 4th Industrial Revolution

“…Underground utilities encompass underground geological structures (e.g., basements, foundations, garages, tunnels, and subways) and pipelines (e.g., water, sewage, gas, electricity, and telecommunications) (Bobylev, 2009). The application of AR technologies superimposed virtual underground information to the real aboveground environment, preventing accidental utility strikes during excavation and improving efficiency in maintenance (Kaddioui et al, 2019).…”

“…Traditionally, abstaining location information required merging data from blueprints, historical records, dead reckoning, and aboveground sensors, which are time-consuming and lack accuracy (Li et al, 2015). The leading solutions today to solve the localization problem consist of utilizing the GPS and ground penetrating radar (GPR) (Kaddioui et al, 2019;Ortega et al, 2019). Dai et al (2011) proposed an analytical approach compiled with GPS to incorporate virtual underground infrastructure into site photos to provide more invisible information.…”

State of the art of augmented reality capabilities for civil infrastructure applications

“…The main difference between AR and AV focuses on the significant displaying environment. AR enables more opportunities for quantification of the external world, higher user interaction and exploration with their nearby environment, and broader see‐through characteristics 16–24 . There are two primary definitions for MR.…”

“…AR enables more opportunities for quantification of the external world, higher user interaction and exploration with their nearby environment, and broader see-through characteristics. [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] There are two primary definitions for MR. Some researchers refer to "MR" as the combination of VR and AR, while others believe MR is an advanced concept of AR, giving AR the interaction characteristic.…”