BIM TECHNOLOGIES AND GIS: The dynamic duo for transportation

Building information modelling (BIM) is an intelligent process that gives architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) professionals the insights and tools needed to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure, housed within a common data environment (CDE). These BIM technologies can be incorporated with geographic information systems (GIS) for further insight and intelligent planning.

By Shuaib Yunos

BIM is a rapidly evolving methodology that has already become mainstream within the AEC community globally; in South Africa, however, it’s still new territory for many, with most professionals adopting the BIM technological component from the BIM process. For this reason, and as a senior BIM technical specialist, I often need to respond to questions when planning and conceptualising projects, particularly in the field of transportation. The following are common questions and responses.

Which is the optimal route?

Determining where to start and/ or end a transportation corridor is tricky, as these corridors traverse areas of varying elevations, environmental categories, services and land value. However, with BIM and

GIS, we can use the power of computational analysis to derive the most suitable route incorporating multiple contributing factors, like those mentioned.

By linking GIS databases, we can also determine existing services that inform the design of the transportation corridor and the linking of new services. By applying computational analysis, the various corridors derived can then be scrutinised to arrive at a corridor that’s most suited in terms of economy, sustainability and function. (Figure 1)

What would the corridor look like?

Here, the advantage of 3D visualisation provided by BIM technologies comes into play. Realistic renders and animations, including virtual, augmented reality and gamification, can be produced to envisage the environment or concept, allowing clients to interrogate factors such as safety, urban suitability and aesthetics. (Figure 2 & 3)

How would traffic and people interact?

Here we can create traffic and mobility analyses to examine the behaviour. We can simulate people walking along the sidewalk, queuing and accessing public transport, as well as the flow of traffic based on specified factors to gauge realistic impacts. (Figure 4)

What about bridges and tunnels?

Bridges and tunnels are critical components in transportation corridors and can be incorporated and linked thanks to BIM technology workflows. The parametric nature between geometric and structural industries effectively synchronises these infrastructure elements, ensuring a dynamic link. Furthermore, the flexibility afforded promotes innovation and customisation, enabling professionals to provide futuristic solutions. (Figure 5)

What about existing services and utilities below ground?

With the advantage of GIS, these services can be imported into the model and, with the beauty of 3D visualisation, we can view these elements below ground in their 3D parametric nature. The metadata attached to GIS database elements will inform the positioning and information attached to each object. (Figure 6)

Where do I find reliable, accessible GIS data?

This is always a tricky question, particularly in South Africa and the African continent in general. Your best bet would be to source GIS data from municipalities, normally shared in a .shp file format. Your second option would be to source data from a service provider or online sources. Just ensure you check the credibility and last update date of the online source. This data can be free or purchased.

Everything sounds great, but what about costing and quantification?

Due to the parametric prowess of BIM, quantities can be derived from the concept. This data is accurate and derived directly from the parametric properties of model elements. These quantities can then be assigned a unit price, resulting in a well-informed project total, even as early as the planning and conceptual stage. These values can then be further interrogated and finalised upon detailed engineering design.

Will I need to start over when I get to detailed engineering design?

BIM overcomes the silo effect experienced in conventional project workflows. This means your planning data can be linked/imported into the detailed design phase, promoting the reuse of data and reducing rework.

Bonus – you can then link your detailed/final engineering design back to generate a final visualisation of your corridor!

Can I bring in designs from other disciplines such as architecture?

Yes, you can! On transportation corridors, especially railways and bus rapid transit (BRT) systems, the stations are a key part of the project. These can be imported into your design – just ensure that the model is coordinated correctly to the correct positioning per the coordinate system you are working in. (Figure 7)

How do file integrations work across software vendors?

I always suggest working within a certain ecosystem of technology (i.e. technology vendor) on projects, as it reduces or negates this risk of interoperability. But in cases where this is unavoidable, what then? This is where openBIM comes into play.

In simple terms, openBIM uses a global standard of data exchange that is vendor agnostic. This means that every true BIM software program must export to an industry recognised format such as IFC. IFC is the acronym for Industry Foundation Classes, an open format that allows professionals to collaborate and share their designs across various vendors. The focus of openBIM is on the data and not the vendor.

Final thoughts

BIM technologies and GIS really are the dynamic duo in the civil infrastructure industry, changing the way we plan, design, construct and maintain infrastructure assets. And this is just looking at the component of basic technology in the BIM ecosystem. (Don’t get me started on the power and automation provided by computational design and visual scripting.)

When BIM is truly adopted within a CDE platform, and in accordance with international standards (like ISO 19650), it provides an unprecedented way of working. AEC professionals can manage assets, and effectively plan and coordinate the expansion of services and infrastructure within the realm of the physical and virtual world. The BIM model can then be extended in use, fulfilling the role of an asset in the form of a digital replica in the digital twinning process, ultimately aiding the pursuit of smart cities and infrastructure. By digitally transforming our processes, we unlock possibilities to create infrastructure landmarks that are built to last, creating a better future for all.

Sources

1. Autodesk. 2016. Mobility Simulator for InfraWorks 360 (online video). Available: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=2BSiHct6N9I&t=18s

2. Autodesk Customer Success Stories. 2021. HHO BRT Station, Visualising Tough Engineering Challenges with Autodesk. Available: https://www. autodesk.co.za/customer-stories/hho

3. Autodesk Customer Success Stories. 2017. Norconsult Infrastructure innovators use VR Games to Streamline Scandinavian Tunnel Design. Available: https://www.autodesk.com/customerstories/norconsult-vr-gamification

4. Bartels, J. 2017. Using SHP Files to Model Underground Utilities in InfraWorks (online video). Available: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=6DfUa1Vz39o

5. Winchester, H. 2020. How AECOM is Paving the Way Forward with V-Ray. Chaos. Available: https://www.chaos. com/blog/how-aecom-is-paving-the-wayforward-with-v-ray

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