Generating, evaluating, and visualizing construction schedule with geographic information systems

Linking of the activities in a critical path method schedule with the corresponding elements of a three-dimensional (3D) model makes the project sequence easier to understand. Although some commercial tools allow the planner to build a 4D model and create graphical simulation of the construction process, it still lacks features like generation and manipulation of a 4D model within a single environment. This paper presents a geographic information systems (GIS) based methodology for scheduling as an alternative to the existing 4D computer aided design tools. A methodology to build a 3D model and link it with the construction schedule using several in-house scripts written in GIS environment is discussed. It allows the planner to understand the construction schedule quickly by linking the activities of the schedule with the corresponding 3D components as well as to visualize a buildable schedule on a computer screen. The proposed methodology utilizes the dynamic linkage between the activities in the schedule and corresponding 3D components, thus, making it possible to detect the incompleteness and logical errors in the schedule sequence. The ability of GIS to maintain spatial data (i.e., 3D components corresponding to each activity) in separate themes, which can be superimposed spatially, is utilized. The related nonspatial information (like schedule, material type and quantity, safety and quality control recommendations, etc.) are stored in the attribute tables of corresponding components, which can be extracted from the database maintained within the GIS itself. CE Database subject headings: Geographic information systems; Scheduling; Construction management; Project management; Information systems.