Standard Product Models and Project Databases for Context-Aware Information Access and Retrieval in Construction and Other Engineering Applications

For the last several years, many research efforts have focused on enabling and advancing information technology to enhance work efficiency and collaboration among field workers by providing mechanisms to deliver pertinent information required for decision-making in a timely manner (Halfawy et al. 2001). Evolving technologies such as location-aware computing and interoperable product models and project databases offer significant potential of improving traditional, time-consuming, manual information retrieval processes, and supporting important decision-making tasks in the field. Field construction tasks such as progress monitoring, inspection and others require access to a wealth of textual and graphical project information. Rapid and convenient access to such project information, through continuous position tracking of mobile users (i.e. engineers, managers, and inspectors) can lead to significant cost and time savings due to the accuracy and immediacy with which relevant project information can be made available to field personnel. This paper describes the results of experiments conducted at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to evaluate the capability of interoperable product models and project databases, such as the CIMsteel Integration Standards (CIS/2) product model, for automated context-aware information access and retrieval in construction and other engineering environments.