Project Title: 4D GIS/ Engineering

Client: Walt Disney Imagineering

Platform: ArcScene, Microsoft Project, and Primavera Project Planner

Summary: Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of GIS is its ability to integrate diverse data sets, databases, and applications. While we don't suffer from the notion that GIS is a panacea, we do believe it's an appropriate technology for many engineering related projects.

Integral GIS, Inc. has been working with Walt Disney Imagineering and Stanford University to develop CAD/GIS based visualization applications for construction management. GIS and advanced visualization is important for large-scale, complex construction projects, and the use of these technologies has led to improved collective decision making among contractors, designers, and engineers.

4D GIS Construction Management results from combining the three-dimensional capability of GIS with the one-dimensional time management capability of a scheduling program, such as Primavera® or Microsoft® Project. Efficient data management, retrieval, and analysis can be achieved using 4D GIS Construction Management on large projects, despite the large numbers of subcontractors and rigid schedules.

Result: The advantages provided by 4D project management include the three-dimensional display of scheduled activities using colors to indicate their priority level, and immediate access to scheduling and logistical information. In addition, document and contract management, costing and cost impact analysis are integrated into this management approach.