Underground Infrastructure

Lessons 1-6 will start from a general understanding of the importance and relevance of underground utility infrastructures for managing utilities in an urban environment. Case studies based on different use cases will introduce a practical perspective, followed by a top level presentation of European, national and domain specific policy frameworks driving many operational decisions. As adherence to (open) standards is key for managing multi-actor interoperable network documentation, pertinent interface standards, data models and service-oriented architectures are introduced. The latter are indispensable for operating a distributed geospatial data infrastructure for utilities, in particular as a variety of applications needs to access a homogeneous and current online documentation.

Applications reach from ‘click-before-you-dig’ all the way to network management and optimization and include parametric modeling of network behavior. Visual interfaces include VR and AR, taking into account the multidimensional and dynamic characteristics of underground utility networks, allowing for real-time viewing during interactions like maintenance, repair and local control.

The submodule consists of 6 lessons, including assignments and exercises:

1. Case Studies for Underground Utility Infrastructures
2. Policy Frameworks
3. Relevant Standards Specifications
4. Geospatial Data Models for Underground Utilities
5. Service-Oriented Architectures for Distributed Environments
6. Visual Interfacing

Once you have finished the module you should be able to:

• explain the role of web services in developing distributed infrastructures
• list the organizations responsible for developing standards within geospatial domain
• explain the whole process of sharing (underground) data and its workflows
• comprehend differences between visual interfacing approaches
• apply conceptual GIS data models

Students in geospatial information technologies (or similar).

Professionals working in the utility network sector

Participants should have a basic understanding of spatial data infrastructures and spatial data standards.

Self-learning course using a PDF document (annotated PPT), exercises.