| dc.description.abstract | This research is focused on evaluating the potential value and benefits of transforming the Drinking Water Distribution System (DWDS) of Brabant Water from a traditional two-dimensional (2D) Geographical Information System (GIS) to a cutting-edge three-dimensional (3D) GIS in which Z coordinates are stored and maintained. The objective is to examine the possibilities of using 3D GIS with a Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) for more effective analysis and visualization.
The study is explicitly conducted for Brabant Water and is publicly accessible, although confidential data is not disclosed. The primary research question is ‘’How can the drinking water distribution system of Brabant Water be transformed from a two-dimensional to a three-dimensional geographical information system, and what are the possibilities of spatial decision support system usage for Brabant Water?’’
The research explains the accuracy of depth measurement and the regulations surrounding excavation work in the Netherlands, including the WIBON law and CROW500 publication. With excavation work on the rise, the number of damages to underground infrastructure has also increased, and therefore Brabant Water would like to minimize damage to its water networks.
Despite the potential benefits of switching to a 3D GIS environment, Brabant Water faces several limitations, such as data quality, verifying depth information, possible deviations in-depth, obtaining data for new pipes, and decreased performance due to increased data usage and computing power. Nevertheless, the benefits of the transformation to a 3D GIS include more accurate analysis, improved communication and collaboration, and the ability to make more extensive geospatial analyses like the relationship between water temperature and soil temperature, which can be calculated by knowing the depth of the DWDS.
The growing volume of big geospatial data from sources like Global Positioning Systems (GPS), smartphones, and Internet of Things (IoT) creates a significant challenge in obtaining valuable insights. However, SDSS and Mixed Reality (MR) technologies like Augmented Reality (AR) in relation to 3D GIS can provide a solution to this challenge. AR and 3D GIS can be utilized by field workers to examine complex underground infrastructure, outage management, and maintain the DWDS.
Brabant Water is considering requiring contractors to report Z coordinates to enhance data quality. More measured Z coordinates also contribute to a reliable future digital twin. The analysis will consist of five Models using datasets such as the DWDS, Dutch opensource elevation data of the ground surface (AHN4), and measured Z coordinates. The output will be a comprehensive data model with a field for tracking measurement methods and storing Z coordinates for depth and surface level and the difference between the two. The Z coordinate measurement data will be merged with the AHN4 to create a comprehensive Z coordinate DWDS dataset.
The ultimate goal of the study is to create a complete dataset with Z coordinates for Brabant Water by following the five-Model process that involves clipping, validating, placing, creating, and merging datasets using FME software and ArcGIS Pro. The resulting 3D GIS system will be optimized for AR applications. It will include adding vertical reference features to emphasize the distance to the surface level from the pipe in AR and to track the Z coordinates' quality via the data model.
In conclusion, the study presents a change strategy for Brabant Water to create a 3D GIS by integrating Z coordinate datasets into the DWDS. Z coordinates from the AHN4 will be used when the DWDS lacks measured Z coordinates. The data model will track Z coordinates and using vertical reference features that also can be used to show the distance from the pipe to the ground surface in AR. | |
