4 Applications of 3D GIS

Geographic Information Science (GIS) offers powerful tools for performing detailed analysis of spatial data and solving complex problems. Traditional GIS data is based on mapping in two dimensions, an x and y-value, which can be limiting in some applications. Utilizing 3D GIS software lets users engage with data from a whole new perspective that results in more nuanced insights and detailed visualizations.

What is 3D GIS?

3D GIS brings enhanced depth into data collection and analysis by incorporating a z-value into mapping. Most commonly, that means including elevation data, but users have many options for adding layers of information.

For instance, a map might include a dimension based on the concentrations of certain chemicals and minerals or which parcels of land are best suited for development. Working with three dimensions, GIS professionals can often apply their findings to address real-world issues with greater accuracy.

While 3D models are more difficult to create and maintain than 2D ones, there are myriad 3D GIS applications where this technology is greatly beneficial. These four examples demonstrate how an investment in 3D GIS modeling can generate added value:

1. City Planning

Cities have a way of growing to encompass previously under- or undeveloped areas in a process often called urbanization or urban sprawl. There are many reasons behind urban sprawl, including a desire to build improved infrastructure, affordable land or tax rates, or overcrowding inside the city. Urban sprawl can have a major impact on people who decide to leave the city as well as those who remain. For example, as residents move farther away from the city center, infrastructure such as roads or public transportation systems must accommodate their commutes, and traffic can lead to higher rates of air pollution.

To minimize the negative impacts of urban sprawl and increased development, it is important for city planners to carefully determine the best way to grow urban areas. Urban development needs to take into consideration today’s requirements, potential changes in demand and the long-term effects of building upward and outward.

3D GIS software can help city planners visualize what their proposed changes will look like and predict the outcomes for current residents and future generations.

In one example, the Queensland Cross River Rail project team used a digital twin to help plan and design the city’s first subway. Using 3D GIS data, they created a model of the subway and the capital above it. This model served as a central repository, housing all data related to new stations and tunnels.

The model was then integrated with the Unreal game engine, which allowed engineers and other decision makers to explore the project using virtual reality. In addition, the team could quickly experiment with placement of aspects like public art installations.

2. Building Information Modeling

Building information modeling (BIM) is a technology that generates digital representations of facilities and relevant processes. BIM has given facilities managers the ability to closely review structures, beginning with the construction planning phase.

Used in conjunction with 3D GIS data, BIM can help create robust building management plans and allow for more detailed analysis. For example, before breaking ground on a construction project, stakeholders can review findings from GIS and BIM to draw conclusions about environmental impact, sustainability, disaster readiness and how to optimize the use of assets and space.

BIM and 3D GIS can also come together to support the preservation and restoration of historical buildings.

In one project, the Connecticut Department of Transportation determined that a bridge constructed in 1896 had exceeded its lifespan and would require replacement. Early in the project, the contractor working on the new bridge identified the need to connect geospatial data with BIM data. This data integration both simplified the team’s design process and allowed them to monitor live sensor input from the existing bridge throughout construction. The team soon realized that this blended data could also inform the maintenance and operation of the new bridge.

3. Coastal Modeling and Analysis

A nation’s coastline is a crucial gateway for imports and exports, and about 40 percent of the world’s population lives within 60 miles of a coast. But these areas also pose numerous challenges for development.

Its critical for planners to understand the factors that affect construction and maintenance for shipping ports, fisheries, mineral mining operations and wilderness preservation areas. Responsible coastal development must be informed by underwater topography, local vegetation and predictions for the long-term environmental impact.

Resource planning systems that draw on GIS can provide insights into the economic, environmental and cultural results of activities along the coast. The right data makes all the difference in sustainably performing operations like construction or excavation. When preparing for the extraction of resources on the coastline, organizations benefit from synthesizing information like:

• Findings from 3D GIS mapping that suggest the likely outcomes of dredging material in the water
• Lidar topographical surveys
• Data sets from past extraction activities
• Trends in coastal change

4. Wind Farm Assessment

Planning a wind farm requires a detailed analysis of an environment and the potential effects of the structures. By using 3D GIS modeling, planners and other stakeholders can get a better idea of the impact from wind farm development on wildlife and people.

For example, when assessing possible wind farm locations in two dimensions, a bird’s migratory path might make a location seem inaccessible. However, reviewing that same space using 3D GIS data, may reveal that the elevation of birds’ flight paths and the height of the wind farm are compatible.

In Switzerland, developers wanted to find a way to accurately determine the noise that would be generated from the installation of a new wind farm. A team developing a visual-acoustic simulation tool decided to study Mont Crosin in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland, which is home to 16 wind turbines. The researchers analyzed recordings taken on days with varying wind and weather conditions and wind speed measurements taken with a 3D ultrasonic anemometer. They generated information models representing vegetation, infrastructure and the wind turbines themselves. The 3D data allowed planners to predict the noise and environmental impact that would be produced by the proposed wind farm.

About USC’s GIS Graduate Programs

The University of Southern California offers a comprehensive selection of online and residential GIS programs. This includes both GIS master’s degrees and GIS graduate certificates. Click on the programs below to learn about our leading geographic information science education.

GIS Master’s Degrees

• Master of Science in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST) – Online and Residential
• Master’s in Geodesign, Environment and Health – Residential
• Master of Science in Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence – Online and Residential
• Master of Science in Spatial Data Science – Online and Residential
• Master of Science in Spatial Economics and Data Analysis – Online and Residential
• Master of Arts in Global Security Studies – Residential

GIS Graduate Certificates

• Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST) – Online and Residential
• Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Intelligence – Online and Residential
• Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Leadership – Online and Residential
• Graduate Certificate in Remote Sensing for Earth Observation – Online and Residential