Better Visualization for Multiple-Site Infrastructure Programs Using GIS

This paper introduces amodel for optimizing and visualizing infrastructuremaintenance programs of multiple-distributed sites. Two unique aspects of the model are discussed in the paper: the underlying Geographic Information System (GIS); and the powerful scheduling engine that optimizes execution plans. The GIS system stores and represents two main levels of information about the scattered sites involved in a construction/maintenance program. The first level pertains to pre-planning data such as resources, locations, optional estimates, and work constraints. This information is then used by the scheduling engine to generate an optimum schedule, and accordingly, a second layer of GIS information is generated containing activities' start and finish dates and the assigned crews. This layer of information is then used by the GIS system to visualize the crews' work assignments in a legiblemanner. An implementation program BAL is presented on an example application to illustrate the benefits of using GIS to supportmunicipalities and owner/contractor organizations administering large number of infrastructure assets, such as buildings, highways, and bridges, etc.