Abstract
Abstract Background Finding the current location of a specific utility or oneself in an unfamiliar facility can be difficult and time consuming. The hypothesis tested in this paper is that using the information contained within Building Information Models (BIM) can increase the accuracy of indoor positioning algorithms using context-aware sensing technology. The presented work demonstrates how the integration of passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tracking technology and Building Information Modeling (BIM) can assist indoor localization for potential applications in facilities management for proactive preventative maintenance. Methods This paper includes (1) developing a framework that utilizes the integration of commercially-available RFID and a building information model; (2) evaluating the framework for real-time resource location tracking within an indoor environment; and (3) developing an algorithm for real-time localization and visualization in a BIM. A prototype application has been developed that simultaneously connects the RFID readers on a maintenance cart, an asset maintenance database and a BIM model. Three multilateralization approaches were compared in the system to use in the algorithm. Testing was conducted in a facility with a corridor that loops around in a rectangle. Results The goal is to have a system accuracy within 3 m. Results show that fusing BIM with multilateralization techniques for RFID technology can decrease the number of false reads by 64 % versus standalone multilateralization equations. The greatest system accuracy achieved was 1.66 m. Conclusions Significantly, the results validate the hypothesis that BIM can increase indoor localization accuracy, and show the usefulness of using BIM for indoor localization in addition to real-time visualization.
Highlights
The operation and maintenance (O&M) phase of a building deals with management and maintenance of assets in the building for smooth functioning
This paper presents the fusion of commercially available passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, indoor localization techniques and a Building Information Modeling (BIM) model for effective real-time indoor location tracking and visualization, without relying on existing building or wireless infrastructure
The results validate the hypothesis that BIM can increase indoor localization accuracy, and show the usefulness of using BIM for indoor localization in addition to real-time visualization
Summary
The operation and maintenance (O&M) phase of a building deals with management and maintenance of assets in the building for smooth functioning. The process of manual inspection proves to be time consuming as it relies distinctly on a worker searching throughout a facility for problems often without precise information relating to location. Inspecting or locating various building components causes workers to spend excessive amounts of time searching for the desired equipment or materials, rather than working efficiently on the tasks required for proper maintenance. The presented work demonstrates how the integration of passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tracking technology and Building Information Modeling (BIM) can assist indoor localization for potential applications in facilities management for proactive preventative maintenance. The most cost effective maintenance is preventative, in which actions are performed on a time-based schedule with the aim of sustaining or extending a resource’s useful life through controlling degradation to an acceptable level (Sullivan et al 2010)
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