What is a geospatial digital twin?
A geospatial digital twin is a digital model of an environment, asset, building, infrastructure, etc. enhanced with geospatial data.
GIS technology is used to create a scaled digital replica of the physical environment, including buildings, roads and bridges.
GIS provides the context needed to analyze, simulate, and optimize design solutions. The interconnection between BIM and GIS can be used for any type of geospatial query.
By combining GIS geospatial data and BIM technology, geospatial digital twins can:
- provide a complete view of the current status of the project;
- offer powerful simulation tools to accurately prepare for the occurrence of potential problems and to take appropriate corrective measures;
- allow informed decisions on investment and infrastructure development.
The integrated vision provided by geospatial digital twins can be used to improve the design and decision-making process in numerous sectors, including for example asset management, urban planning, infrastructure monitoring.
Why is a geospatial digital twin useful?
Geospatial digital twins are extremely useful as they provide immediately available information in the design, construction and maintenance of a work. There are numerous fields in which they can be used (optimization of environmental resources, energy saving, safety and much more). For example, it is possible to exploit GIS information to:
- identify the amount of rainwater that can be collected and consequently design adequate and well-sized collection systems to irrigate public green areas, parks and gardens;
- guide designers in choosing the orientation, location and construction materials of works in areas at risk of flooding;
- to identify dangerous situations at a local level, evaluate in detail each single element that is generating anomalous behaviour and remotely monitor the infrastructure.
How digital twins and GIS optimize the operation of smart buildings?
The integration between Digital twin and GIS is revolutionizing the AEC sector and setting the stage for the design and management of intelligent buildings and smart cities.
By leveraging digital twins, building designers and owners have instant access to digital representations of thousands of physical objects and systems that can be updated and monitored in real time.
GIS further enhances these management and control capabilities by providing geospatial analyses that make it easier to geolocate and understand the interactions and interdependencies between different elements.
The combination of these two technologies helps to monitor the performance and energy consumption of buildings, the scheduling and costs of maintenance interventions, the operation of HVAC equipment, the efficiency and safety of infrastructure assets, etc. in a much more effective way.