Integrating Indoor Positioning Systems and BIM to Improve Situational Awareness

This paper presents the concept for the integration of Indoor Positioning System (IPS) and Building Information Model (BIM), and hypothesizes about the possible benefits of this integration to situational awareness and visual management in construction projects. Literature review shows that the volume and quality of data enabling situational awareness during construction projects is increasing with the use of new technologies, such as indoor positioning systems and other applications of Internet of Things (IoT). However, these information streams have been used individually so far. BIM as the interface integrating different streams of situational awareness information can result in better data-driven construction management and production. This study suggests that using BIM in 3D visualization of the indoor positioning of construction resources (workers, material, and equipment) enables visual management based on situation awareness on construction project activities. Better situational awareness of construction resources on-site based on visualization in BIM can improve the identification and elimination of waste and the identification of workflow interruptions, potentially permitting better planning and increasing productivity. The study suggests further steps for empirical research to prototype the concept and validate it with industry partners and practitioners.