An Integrated Workflow for Transforming Infrastructure Projects Data into the Metaverse

Abstract

The infrastructure construction industry is typically characterized by large-scale, complex technologies, long completion times, and challenging collaborations. The provisioning of digital representations in 3D by combining physical properties with geospatial data would assist in addressing some of these challenging issues. These technologies would also provide a fundamental basis for the creation of Metaverse to support sustainable, innovative infrastructure design and construction. Hitherto most studies were focused primarily on integration techniques rather than providing comprehensive workflow for exploiting projects data to support engineers. This study aims to help engineers and decision makers better understand the opportunities and implications of the virtual 3D environment or Metaverse by examining the key emerging trends driving and enabling the development of data workflows for a selected infrastructure project. To build possible levels of workflow, the methodology involved incorporating 3D geometric data acquired from Building Information Models (BIM) and processed with geospatial location. The optimum data workflow and associated advantages for the construction industry have been determined. This paper also describes the concept and workflow approach, including specific data structures, data conversion, and a prototype solution. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the concept's robustness and both in terms of technical implementation and adoption for expediting business processes.