Uses of Augmented reality for urban utilities management

Abstract

Augmented reality (AR) is based on supplementing the view of the physical world with a computer-generated content such as text, images videos, sound, 3D objects etc. The proliferation of smart mobile devices and their high computational capabilities combined with the possibility of GIS 3D visualization and interaction have enabled new kinds of mobile applications. AR is considered as an efficient technology for the underground utilities management. Damages to underground utility lines are considered as one of the major urban problems because incidents caused by unsafe digging practices can compromise community safety and disconnect people from vital services. A prospective study was conducted to identify examples and characteristics of each type of augmented reality. This paper summarizes researches about the types of AR and discuss how this technology could help in underground utilities repairing and maintenance. We present a new mobile location based augmented reality system using smart device sensors and the Real Time Kinematic (RTK) satellite navigation technology of ORPHEON network for the location accuracy. This system enables GIS data visualization to help field workers in outdoor maintenance of underground infrastructures.

Keywords

• Augmented Reality
• underground infrastructures
• buried networks
• GIS 3D visualization