Santos, P A S; Cortez, B and Carvalho, M T M (2025) Integrating GIS and BIM with MCDM for infrastructure planning: A comprehensive framework. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 32(6), pp. 4197-4226. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: Present study aimed to integrate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) in conjunction with multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) to enhance infrastructure investment planning. Design/methodology/approach: This analysis combines GIS databases with BIM simulations for a novel highway project. Around 150 potential alternatives were simulated, narrowed to 25 more effective routes and 3 options underwent in-depth analysis using PROMETHEE method for decision-making, based on environmental, cost and safety criteria, allowing for comprehensive cross-perspective comparisons. Findings: A comprehensive framework proposed was validated through a case study. Demonstrating its adaptability with customizable parameters. It aids decision-making, cost estimation, environmental impact analysis and outcome prediction. Considering these critical factors, this study holds the potential to advance new techniques for assessment and planning railways, power lines, gas and water. Research limitations/implications: The study acknowledges limitations in GIS data quality, particularly in underdeveloped areas or regions with limited technology access. It also overlooks other pertinent variables, like social, economic, political and cultural issues. Thus, conclusions from these simulations may not entirely represent reality or diverse potential scenarios. Practical implications: The proposed method automates decision-making, reducing subjectivity, aids in selecting effective alternatives and considers environmental criteria to mitigate negative impacts. Additionally, it minimizes costs and risks while demonstrating adaptability for assessing diverse infrastructures. Originality/value: By integrating GIS and BIM data to support a MCDM workflow, this study proposes to fill the existing research gap in decision-making prioritization and mitigate subjective biases.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building information modeling; construction planning; multicriteria analysis; novel method; planning and designing; road planning; strategic management |
| Index terms: | building information modelling, case study, multicriteria analysis, database, infrastructure investment, critical factor, infrastructure planning, highway construction, environmental impact analysis, geographic information system, option, construction planning, cost estimating, subjectivity, bias, methodology, decision-making, strategic management, adaptability, workflow |
| Subjects: | geographical techniques and analysis, research methods, economic analysis, strategic project management, environmental impact, human factors and perception, user focus, information systems, data management, decision analysis, probability and distributions, management, civil engineering, construction planning, financial and cost management, risk assessment, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Cost Management, Research Practice, Site Management, Design Practice, Digital Applications, Risk Management, Procurement, Sustainability, Project Management, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here