The Hong Kong government is working on making the city smarter through a pioneering 3D digital mapping project. Their goal is to improve urban planning, development, and disaster management.
The project has kicked off in Kowloon East, where they are creating detailed CityGML models for buildings and infrastructure to reshape the city. Hong Kong Lands Department, AECOM as consultant for data analysis and testing of the deliverables, and Avineon India Pvt. Ltd are the key stakeholders associated with the project.
Avineon India was entrusted with the job of processing and generating these 3D city models, playing a crucial role in shaping the city’s future. For this project, Avineon India was nominated and was one of the finalists in the Surveying and Monitoring category at 2023 Going Digital Awards In Infrastructure organized by Bentley Systems at Marina Bay Singapore.
Pramod Karnawat, Vice President, Business Development – Geospatial & IT, and Govardhan Goud Jutla, General Manager – 3D Geospatial Services at Avineon, in an exclusive interview with Geospatial World shared more insights on how they approached the project, talked about the challenges when integrating voluminous multi-sourced data into accurate representations of city infrastructure in a single digital environment, and how different solutions from Bentley Systems helped them solve the issues and complete the project in a successful manner.
What is the significance of this project?
In the pursuit of establishing a technologically advanced smart city in Hong Kong, the primary focus of the project was on crafting a top-tier 3D Digital Map. The project’s scope encompasses the creation of photorealistic textured 3D models for both buildings and infrastructure.
This project is extremely significant in the realms of urban planning, disaster management, infrastructure development, and the broader landscape of smart city applications. Its far-reaching impact spans across various facets of urban life, including urban planning strategies, initiatives to build smarter cities, disaster response preparedness, fostering public engagement, promoting tourism, and preserving the cultural heritage of the city.
In essence, this project emerges as a beacon of sustainability and an enhancer of urban liveability. The project has a substantial return on investment, leading to time and resource savings, reduced processing time, and cost reductions.
From a sustainability perspective, the 3D Digital Map is regarded as a fundamental element in the advancement of Smart City development and the evolution toward a Digital Hong Kong. It facilitates the sharing of geospatial data and contributes to the enhancement of the next generation of geospatial applications.
What significant hurdles did you encounter during this project, and in what ways did digital technologies play a role in overcoming them?
The project had three major challenges:
- Integration and handling of data from multiple and diverse sources
- Minimizing manual effort in data processing
- Overcoming constraints posed by non-3D modelling software like GIS, CAD, etc.
The project involved amalgamating an extensive array of data from diverse sources, encompassing aerial imagery, LiDAR, mobile imagery, and as-built drawings. Each data type was collected in varying formats and at different points in time.
The adoption of digital technologies, notably Bentley’s MicroStation CONNECT Edition, facilitated the seamless integration of data from multiple sources and formats. These tools played a crucial role in preserving the geometric, topological, semantic, and appearance properties of the data during integration.
Leveraging digital tools streamlined the processing of LiDAR data, encompassing tasks such as eliminating erroneous points, classification, and the creation of highly accurate 3D representations of building roofs adhering to CityGML standards. This not only improved accuracy but also significantly reduced the time and resource investment.
Avineon India chose a semi-automated or automated approach, facilitated by modelling tools and templates within Bentley’s environment, which dramatically decreased the manual effort required for the project. To cater to the issues related to limitations of non-3D modelling software, the project leveraged dedicated 3D modeling software, such as Bentley’s MicroStation CONNECT Edition.
This choice provided advanced visualization, analysis, and 3D modelling capabilities, ensuring the creation of precise 3D city models while adhering to standards like OGC compliant CityGML. The incorporation of this specialized software mitigated issues associated with data quality and compatibility that might arise from using non-3D modelling tools.
How did the utilization of iTwin Capture Modeler and MicroStation contribute to guaranteeing the accuracy, consistency, and quality assurance of data in the creation of twins and 3D city models for Kowloon East? Furthermore, does iTwin Capture Modeler have the capability to integrate seamlessly with Bentley or third-party software tools?
In the development of 3D city models, the pivotal role played by iTwin Capture Modeler and MicroStation are indispensable in ensuring the accuracy, consistency, and quality assurance of data. These tools not only provide essential functionalities for aligning, validating, and managing data effectively but also contribute to the seamless collaboration and integration of data within the project.
Moreover, both iTwin Capture Modeler and MicroStation boast compatibility and integration capabilities with a diverse range of Bentley and third-party software tools. This ensures the smooth exchange of data and models across various applications and disciplines, fostering enhanced collaboration and interoperability within intricate projects.
What new elements can be introduced to enhance the services provided by the city administration? Additionally, what suggestions do you have for additional applications that can be implemented using this model?
Implementing a 3D digital mapping model, like the one deployed in Kowloon East, opens up numerous possibilities for city administration to elevate their services and introduce innovative solutions. Following are some recommendations for additional applications and services that can capitalize on this model:
- Utilize the 3D model for more precise and efficient urban planning, enabling the simulation of urban growth and the assessment of proposed developments’ impact on the city’s landscape.
- Integrate the 3D model with traffic data for real-time traffic monitoring and optimization of traffic flow.
- Conduct model analysis for designing energy-efficient buildings and planning renewable energy installations.
- Track air quality, noise pollution, and other environmental factors using the 3D model.
- Employ the 3D model for disaster management and emergency response planning.
- Provide virtual tours of the city using the 3D model.
- Enhance infrastructure maintenance by identifying vulnerable areas through 3D model inspections.
- Plan for the installation of safety features and measures.
- Develop crisis management strategies by simulating various crisis scenarios, including natural disasters or pandemics.
- Utilize the 3D model to attract investment and business development by showcasing available space and opportunities for development.
- Implement sustainable waste management by optimizing waste collection and disposal, utilizing the model to identify optimal routes and locations for waste facilities.
- Apply data analytics and machine learning algorithms to extract insights and patterns from the 3D model for data-driven decision-making.
- Monitor public health by analyzing the 3D model for trends in disease outbreaks, healthcare access, and resource allocation.
How extensive is Avineon’s background in providing 3D geospatial services?
Avineon offers an extensive range of 3D services encompassing the processing of 3D source data and the modelling of 3D objects or assets at different levels of detail. Avineon’s capability includes development of 3D models in the form of CityGML 2.0 models, photo realistic models in various 3D formats including OGC Compliant CityGML. Our typical source data includes LiDAR point clouds, stereo-imagery, and oblique imagery—both aerial and terrestrial.
Avineon’s capabilities extend to aero-triangulation, orthophoto production, LiDAR point classification, and Digital Terrain Model (DTM) creation. Additionally, we specialize in constructing highly detailed, photo-realistic 3D city models at various levels of detail from LOD0-LOD4 for structures such as buildings, and other infrastructure such as bridges, flyovers, tunnels etc. The LOD can be extended up to a Building Information Modelling (BIM) representation.
How do you see Bentley Systems’ platform and products aligning with your future plans and the capabilities you aim to achieve in addressing the changing requirements of your customers and projects? Are there any comparable products under consideration?
Bentley Systems’ platform and products hold a central position in our future plans, proving indispensable in meeting the dynamic requirements of our customers and projects. These solutions encompasses a diverse array of geospatial and infrastructure solutions crucial to our projects. Our reliance on these tools for data integration, 3D modeling, and geospatial analysis is expected to persist.
The visualization capabilities within Bentley’s MicroStation have significantly enhanced our proficiency in creating and analyzing 3D models. We intend to capitalize on these tools to elevate data representation and analysis in upcoming projects. Additionally, our projects heavily rely on Bentley’s solutions for robust quality assurance features. The continual use of Bentley products is anticipated to validate and uphold data accuracy and quality.
Moreover, to address the evolving customer requirements, we turn to Bentley’s platform for the scalability needed to adapt to new technologies, expand capabilities, and handle larger and more complex datasets. Bentley Systems’ track record of innovation in the geospatial and infrastructure sector positions us to leverage their future innovations and enhancements, particularly in response to the demands of smart cities and advancing technologies.
However, though Bentley’s products play a pivotal role in our work, we maintain an openness to evaluating similar products and solutions in the market, ensuring that we employ the most effective tools for our projects.
