A web based GIS solution for visualising construction design and identifying conflicts

The rail junction at Glenfield, New South Wales (NSW) is the meeting point of two main lines used by high density passenger and freight services. The convergence of the lines limits existing capacity and restricts future growth and expansion of rail services. Glenfield Junction forms part of the South West Rail Link (SWRL), a NSW State Government initiative designed to deliver new and improved infrastructure to southwest Sydney. To improve the efficiency of this critical rail junction the SWRL project will include a complete upgrade to what is known as the Glenfield Transport Interchange (GTI). In 2009, the Glenfield Junction Alliance (GJA) was formed to deliver the majority of the GTI works. The works comprise a new track layout, flyover structures to separate all new and existing lines, as well as a major upgrade of Glenfield station and its surrounding infrastructure. The integration of multiple interfaces across tight project extents introduces a degree of complexity which makes accurate coordination key to the success of the project. Consequently, a web-based mapping application called lGJAMapr was developed to integrate the most critical and up-to-date designs with aerial imagery of the site and other supplementary GIS data. The result is a user friendly information portal that provides the project team with quick and simple access to site information to guide the design process. Additional tools allow users to zoom into areas of interest, select layers for display and interrogation, and measure approximate distances and areas. The application is used during coordination meetings and clash detection workshops to improve communication and identify potential issues. This paper details the technical challenges that had to be overcome in developing the application. It summarises the functionality provided and highlights a specific example whereby a previously unidentified design conflict was detected. Furthermore, the paper discusses additional functionality that could be developed for GJA and other projects.