GIS for Construction

Construction is a spatial undertaking from the onset. From evaluating existing site conditions to engineering design, through project delivery, all the way to the operations and maintenance of the newly-built asset, location is the common thread that links all of these phases.

GIS technology can support digital transformation in construction by streamlining workflows and connecting siloed information.

 GIS (Geographic Information Systems)  is a framework for collecting, analyzing, managing and sharing location information. GIS technology enables organizations to collect layers of data.

Mobile field data collection is a key element of GIS. Quality inspections, safety incidents, material deliveries, or daily progress reports can all be collected digitally using GIS-based mobile apps that enable a synchronized view of what's happening on site and standardize information for simpler, more accurate reporting.

Connected equipment and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) sensors enable real-time insights into the construction site. Understanding when vibration or temperature levels reach critical thresholds or knowing the current location of equipment or personnel enhance situational awareness, safety, and quality.

 ArcGIS Dashboards  enable users to convey information by presenting location-based analytics using intuitive, interactive data visualizations from a web browser.

Dashboards are driven by the data layers of maps. Construction organizations are using Dashboards for monitoring specific projects, summarizing inspection reports, or to track their entire portfolio of projects.

Automating the creation of static reports from dynamic data feeds is also possible.  This StoryMap  walks through an example of using a national wind conditions data service to automatically populate a Microsoft Word document.

In the initial planning stage, high-resolution aerial imagery captured by drones provides detailed and up-to-date visual information about the construction site.

Daily and weekly flights can provide stakeholders with access to current site conditions without ever having to make a site visit.

During the design and construction phases, drone imagery can be integrated into GIS to create accurate topographic maps, 3D models, and virtual flythroughs. This allows architects, engineers, project managers, and owners to visualize the project in a realistic manner and make informed decisions.

Bring all this data together in an immersive web experience to enable project stakeholders to track and manage construction activities, or even to calculate earthworks volumes.

Bring in BIM models to compare design to reality. GIS has the ability to  natively read Revit and IFC BIM models , and share them into lightweight web-friendly 3D scenes that can be accessed from any device.

Overall, the integration of Reality Mapping and BIM with GIS empowers construction projects with improved planning, streamlined design, enhanced construction monitoring, and comprehensive documentation, leading to increased efficiency and cost savings.

Explore the Building E Job Site Status application and and this  3D web scene  of the Snapdragon Stadium.

Simulating vehicle and crew location positioning before arriving at the job site is a key strategy to ensure safe operations and smart planning for such a complex environment. ArcGIS Maps SDK can be leveraged in unison with powerful game engines such as  Unity  and  Unreal Engine . Creating an interactive digital construction site - incorporating reality mapping meshes with construction elements, including site crews and vehicles, allows for Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) teams to simulate operations in 4D or 5D. Site planners can use these rendered simulations to plan where vehicles and crews should be positioned during each phase of construction, visualize potential clash detection and understand what is to be expected as construction progresses.

Construction projects of all scales rely on scheduling to estimate project duration, develop a logical sequence of activities, and measure progress. Gantt charts are a brilliant method of representing when an activity occurs, but not where that activity is - they lack a connection to the physical, spatial element of the corresponding schedule activity. Integrating GIS with schedule data can bridge this gap, allowing schedulers and project stakeholders to gain new insights and interrogate schedule data in a spatial context.

Enriching schedule data with GIS enables the creation of intuitive, interactive dashboard reports, tailored to the information requirements of different stakeholder groups. Read more about the free  Schedule Sync Toolbox , watch the  GIS for AEC in 5 Minutes episode , and access the  GitHub repo .

Direct integration with schedule software platforms such as Oracle P6 EPPM are possible through an engagement with  Esri Professional Services . Please reach out to the AEC Consulting team to learn more:  AEC_Consulting@esri.com  

End users don't need to become GIS experts to take advantage of its benefits. Easy-to-configure web and mobile applications can transform your data into interactive tools that help keep team members informed, or support executive decision making.

Construction projects are never done alone - successful delivery requires orchestrated collaboration across many teams. The owner, design team, general contractor, trade partners, and material suppliers all need to work together to ensure the project gets built correctly. ArcGIS is designed to enable secure data sharing and collaboration. Learn more about collaboration patterns in the AEC industry or how to create client-facing marketing content using  ArcGIS StoryMaps. 

Many government agencies make available authoritative GIS information through open data portals - layers such as parcels, wetlands delineation, road centerlines, and more can be pulled into your own maps for context or analysis. Another resource is Esri's Living Atlas of the World which provides a curated selection of data including demographics, real-time weather, and traffic data, from trusted organizations such as the USGS, FEMA, the  U.S. Census Bureau ,  NOAA , and  HERE .

Check out how AEC Firms can leverage the Living Atlas!  3 Ways AEC Firms Can Get the Most Out of ArcGIS Living Atlas 

Using web-based storytelling tools like  StoryMaps  (hint: you're looking at one now), you can craft immersive narratives and  choreograph your maps and data  to help communicate project status to project stakeholders or support community engagement efforts. Take a look at another StoryMap from Esri's AEC team on  GIS for Architecture, Planning & Urban Design .

Around the globe, there are governments that have outlined regulations for monitoring high-risk construction activities and now require a centralized management platform to provide a one-stop hub for all data generated from the construction site. Smart Site Safety Systems can be implemented using  ArcGIS Experience Builder  to enhance safety practices and mitigate risks at construction sites.

These systems leverage the visualization of all data and analytics at the job site: georeferenced BIM data, reality mapping outputs, IoT sensors, CCTV feeds, building element scheduling, simulated vehicle and crew location validation, and logistic management to name several key capabilities. Together, this information helps to monitor and manage safety-related activities on construction sites.

Almost as important as turning over the completed asset at the end of construction is ensuring its owner understands how to operate it in a safe, efficient and sustainable manner. By project completion, an enormous amount of data has been generated: design drawings, 3D models, specifications, RFIs, inspection and testing reports, progress photos, O+M manuals, etc.

GIS can link this information spatially, packaged into data-rich web applications and handed over to owners. Enabling facility managers to quickly and intuitively locate important operating information such as as-built drawings, adds value to the data already generated by the project. A GIS-based digital project handoff package can also serve as the basis for a  digital twin , enabling owners to connect asset data to business systems, building management systems, and real-time sensors. The result is a common operating picture and the ability to model scenarios and apply predictive analytics, supporting both owners and facility management teams.

For more information about Esri product and services offerings, please contact your Account Manager or the AEC Sales Team via the details below.

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