Significance of 3D Geospatial Data

3D geospatial data is like pulling out the multi-dimensional images from your brain and painting them on a paper to see how it looks.

 
With advancement in geospatial technology and combination of GIS, Remote sensing and Photogrammetry it was never so easy to create a 3 dimensional geospatial data with such details and precision.

 

 

Most of us assume that this is a modern day technology but it was initiated way back in 1960's when a Boeing engineer called William Fetter created computer aided 3D animations. 3D is not a new thing, even idea of vector graphics and drawings is been around for over 30 years.

 

 

 

If geospatial technology is behind any assignment, it is for sure that it is not only visually impactful but it has its own measurements and geo-location accuracy as well. 3D geospatial data is not only for a better understanding of the infrastructure models but they are used as an input by engineers in their complex construction work as these models are based on the accurate measurement and they are scaled as per the requirement of a project.

 
Creating 3D geodata

 

With the use of most advance software's and latest geospatial concepts it is becoming very easy to create the 3D data. Such data can be in the form of a vector or a raster dataset. CAD software's are significant in creating 3D models of a building with precise measurement used for architecture purpose. 3D terrain data can be created using photogrammetry technique.

 

 

 

Urban area are becoming epicentre for most of the economic activities. These areas are always under development and most advance technologies for development are used. Smart city projects in various countries are example of urban development. 3D geospatial data is significant in Creating and using real-world visualizations for conducting analysis on design improvements of infrastructure. This data is used to find out project alternatives, assess their feasibility, and communicate plans. 3D GIS is a crucial urban planning tool. 3D city modeling is one of the most popular use of 3D data.

 

 

This is a 3D model based process which gives professionals the insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure. This is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. Used in conjunction with 3D GIS data, BIM can help to create robust building management plans and allow for more detailed analysis. BIM and 3D GIS can also come together to support the preservation and restoration of historical buildings. An effort to digitally record cultural heritage sites

 

 

3D geospatial data is a significant tool to virtually view potential flood impacts on coastal community infrastructure. Sea level rise and climate change scenarios, storm surge models, and other flood risk datasets are overlaid with buildings, elevated bridges and roads, and other community assets to assess varying levels of damage and destruction.

 

Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is a digital representation of the landscape. This is a 3D model of the bare earth. These kind of models is created using stereo pair of remote sensing data. They have a wide range of applications like flood analysis, volumetric calculation, cut-fill analysis, mining, etc.

 

 

3D maps are very helpful in case of disaster management. In comparison to a simple 2D map they are more informative and provide in-depth details of the site. Detailed 3D mapping make the response team aware of the environment they would be dealing in. These maps provide proper location of the point of action and suggest easiest route to reach there. 3D terrain models are best to depict the type of terrain and elevation and slope detail in it. Using this data rescue team can take a proper evacuation route.

 

 

Aerial photogrammetry mapping is widely used in defence sector. Air Corps and the Corps of Engineers of the United States Army have pioneered the use of aerial photography and mapping by photogrammetry. 3D mapping of  border terrain help a lot to security forces to understand the geographic nature of the area and allow them to make strategy accordingly.

 

 

3D geospatial data is produced in combination of GIS, Remote sensing and photogrammetry. 3D geospatial data is not only for a better understanding of the infrastructure models but they are used as an input by engineers. They are generated based on GIS software's and photogrammetry techniques. 3D geospatial data has its wide significance like urban development, BIM, defence, DEM and many more.