Semantic Interoperability in Infrastructure Systems

Abstract

Today’s computing requires integrated systems and share of data and knowledge among different systems and users. This trend has called for development of new methodologies and tools that solve problems in an automated and transparent manner. In other words, integrated systems need to be semantically interoperable. While Geopspatial Information Systems (GISs) have been extensively used in civil engineering and numerous other disciplines, research in semantic interoperability in GISs is scant. Without semantic interoperability, GISs remain complex systems requiring special skills for their efficient interaction, processing and effective use. It is recognized that semantic interoperability can only take place through standards at different levels and for different activities. An example standardization effort focused on problem solving within the civil engineering discipline is the Industry Foundation Classes (IFCs). In this paper, we discuss the needs, issues and requirements for developing semantic interoperability in infrastructure systems.