Geoinformation for Disaster and Risk Management - ISPRS

Activities of the ISPRS WG IV/8: 3D Spatial
Data Integration for Disaster Management and
Environmental Monitoring
This working group is a continuation of the WG IV/8
'Spatial data integration for emergency response'
which worked during the period 2004 to 2008. The
group was formed to address the urgent demands
for better, more sophisticated and appropriate
means for managing the consequences of man-made
and natural risks. The focus was on interoperability
of emergency services, harmonisation of data and
provision of appropriate information to ensure that
needs of citizens receive high-quality attention. The
most demanding Response Phase was studied
explicitly by investigating user needs and
requirements for provision of tools for an efficient
collaboration and understanding between different
rescue teams such as the Health Sector, Police, Fire
Brigade and civil protection.
Figure 2: Indoor 3D visualisation and analysis
What is the current status? Many international
activities (projects) have taken place to ensure
timely supply of harmonized data as soon as
practicable after a disaster to aid in the provision of
appropriate services. Geoportals and web access
points have been developed worldwide to provide
easy search and access 24 hours per day. Early
warning centres have been established in several
countries. Many bottlenecks in the provision of
spatial data have been resolved by ensuring the most
appropriate data is provided, supported by an
integrated systems approach.
However, most of the operational systems use twodimensional
data sets. Systems capable of seamless
integration of 3D topographic (GIS), geological,
meteorological, BIM models are not yet available.
There has been insufficient research on 3D indoor
modelling for safe evacuation and navigation in
urban environments. Appropriate models for 3D
analysis and simulations, e.g. prediction of plume
movement, have received little attention. It is our
firm understanding that 3D technology can better
aid disaster management and environmental
monitoring.
Figure 3: Outdoor 3D visualisation and analysis
�The goal of this Working Group is to contribute to
the investigation of user requirements, research,
development, and testing new technologies for
intelligent use of spatial information in the Response
Phase of risk and disaster management. The work of
the WG in the period 2008-2012 concentrates on the
following topics:
�Integration of 3D GIS and intelligent image
analysis systems for emergency management in
urban environments;
�Application of low-cost and real-time digital
imaging and mobile mapping technologies for
emergency response;
�3D data structures, algorithms, and standards for
emergency data management and exchange;
�Geo-ontology and semantics for emergency
response;
�Innovative knowledge-based systems for
browsing and analysis in distributed
environments;
�3D visualization of scenes and situations
(including indoor) on different mobile front-ends;
�Analysis of emergency management needs for
production and updating of spatial information.
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