GISCafe Industry Predictions for 2023 – Geodecisions

By Brendan Wesdock, Geodecisions, president

Brendan Wesdock

A Look at Technology and Geospatial Trends Impacting the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Industry

Reviewing where we’ve been and looking ahead to where we’re going, there are five primary technology and geospatial trends impacting the AEC industry: Kubernetes, geospatial artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), digital twins, GeoBIM, and high-definition (HD) maps and LiDAR.

Kubernetes

Kubernetes – an open-source platform that orchestrates data and process workload balancing, automated program updates, and data management – is becoming more popular for cloud processing. It allows computing to happen at a completely different scale, becoming a transformation agent.

Benefits

Kubernetes implementations have multiple benefits: scalability/system response, cloud environment/decreased investment in on-site technology, increased return on investment with more capital, and system upgrade functionality.

Predictions

• Increased Kubernetes implementations.
• Improved scalability.
• More available capital as a result of decreased investment in on-site IT equipment.
• Boosted enterprise-wide efficiency.

Geospatial AI and ML

New applications of AI and ML are popping up everywhere. What both technologies seem to be lacking is geospatial data. Including geospatial information improves outcomes.

Benefits

AI/ML opportunities are growing by the day. AEC-specific use cases include image processing, image translations, and spatial analysis.

Predictions

• Increased geospatial AI/ML integration.
• Integration of geospatial and technology.
• Improved data accuracy.
• Expansion of AI for content generation.

Digital Twins

The term digital twins can be defined in a variety of ways. At its core, digital twins are a digital representation of a physical asset or environment. Specific to AEC, adding a geographic information system (GIS) component substantially improves organizations’ ability to make better decisions.

Benefits

Using digital twins for the built environment has multiple benefits, including increased collaboration, access to centralized data, and digital project delivery. What digital twins provide is increased efficiency, decreased document replication, and improved fiscal responsibility.

Predictions

• Increased digital twin-creation.
• Improved collaboration throughout project lifecycles.
• Enhanced digital project delivery.
• Combined technical and business process efficiency.

GeoBIM

In the AEC industry, GIS and BIM typically operate independently. Bringing the two technologies together creates GeoBIM. Some companies already see the benefits. GeoBIM is also a vital component of creating digital twins.

Benefits

GeoBIM has numerous benefits, including centralized data, increased collaboration, and digital project delivery. Bringing GIS and BIM together allows the entire project team to work together to decrease potential clashes and provide real-time data.

Predictions

• Increased GIS and BIM collaboration.
• Enhanced collaboration throughout project delivery.
• Improved data accuracy and accessibility.
• More enterprise software strategic relationships.

HD Maps and LiDAR

How we think about the world is primarily driven by maps. The more detailed the map, the more accurate data we have. Take, for example, supply chain management. If we can understand how goods move throughout the process, we can accurately know their location and provide updates accordingly.

HD maps and LiDAR work together to incorporate location data and produce high-resolution models. Field surveyors capture data using GPS units. GIS professionals include this data, resulting in more accurate maps. LiDAR is not a new technology, but we are seeing AEC firms use it more commonly now.

Benefits

Project delivery includes data collection, extraction, and analysis. With general technological advances, including data obtained through autonomous vehicles and other driving apps, we have access to information that we didn’t have access to before. There are numerous potential applications for HD maps and LiDAR, including roadway maintenance, general planning, public safety, improved civil engineering design, and quality control.

Predictions

• Increased use of HD maps and LiDAR.
• Improved map and location data accuracy.
• Enhanced technology adoption.
• Integration of location information into project lifecycle.

About the Author 

Brendan Wesdock, MCP, GISP, is the president of GeoDecisions, a division of Gannett Fleming, and is a proven geospatial technology and business leader. He works with leadership to apply innovative strategies, improve business operations, and increase efficiencies. Brendan implemented the first-of-its-kind geospatial machine learning tools at GeoDecisions to improve data capture and reduce manual effort by more than 90%, and led the first client enterprise cloud migration system that increased operational availability by 90% and reduced costs by 40%. Throughout his more than 24-year career, his dedication to GIS, geospatial, data, and technology continues to drive results. 

This entry was posted on Monday, February 20th, 2023 at 3:05 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.