Infrastructure Management Systems Research Articles

Underpass Water Logging System Using IOT and ML

In recent years, the surge in population growth has exacerbated numerous challenges for both humans and the environment, including issues like inadequate infrastructure and frequent occurrences of waterlogging in underpasses. During heavy rainfall, underpasses often become inundated, posing significant risks to passing vehicles and exacerbating traffic congestion. This is primarily due to ineffective drainage systems and flawed designs for diverting rainwater away from the underpasses. To address these pressing issues, this paper proposes an IoT-based solution aimed at monitoring and managing heavy traffic within underpasses. The primary objective is to establish a comprehensive framework capable of continuously monitoring the water levels within underpasses. By leveraging IoT technology, this framework can activate warning signs and implement traffic control measures in real-time to mitigate the risks posed by waterlogging and alleviate traffic congestion. This innovative approach not only offers a proactive solution to the immediate challenges faced by underpasses but also lays the foundation for a more sustainable and efficient urban infrastructure management system. Through the integration of IoT sensors and intelligent control mechanisms, this framework promises to enhance the resilience of underpasses to adverse weather conditions while optimizing traffic flow, ultimately contributing to safer and more livable urban environments . Keywords — Internet of Things, sensors, Wi-Fi module, LCD, cloud architecture.

Impact of space systems capabilities and their role as critical infrastructure

The cyber domain has led to growth in current satellite capabilities, which have become essential due to the increased use of both civil and military critical infrastructure (CI) management systems. In recent decades, outer space has proven to be an increasingly critical sector for the international management of commercial CI, with private operators acting on both multi- and transnational levels. However, the space domain is characterised by not only opportunities but also risks and threats. As the security implications of space were not sufficiently considered at the beginning of the space era, some of the predominant risks currently extend into the commercial sphere. These risks must be considered to ensure the resilience of connected CIs in outer space. Security is a vital issue in the cyber and space domains and should be considered in every phase of a space system's life cycle, from the development and manufacturing of space assets to their deployment and end of life. This involves CI in several sectors, each of which exhibits different but interrelated risks. For example, telecommunications and location systems increasingly require the use of CI, which creates a fragile interdependence that is extremely vulnerable to threats. This paper underlines the importance of recognising space systems as CI and emphasises the need for a better integration of these assets in a system-of-systems analysis. The consequences of global satellite disruption on terrestrial CI are used to support this view. In such a disruptive scenario, mitigation measures based on in-orbit servicing or responsive space capabilities, for example, would allow CI to be restored to first ensure national security followed by commercial activities. Moreover, this paper provides an overview of the legal and policy aspects of using space systems’ capabilities in CI to better understand their implications and encourage the development of recommendations.

Local infrastructure governance in Peru: a systems thinking appraisal

Ensuring the through-life quality of infrastructure systems is a fundamental instrument in providing economic development and enhancing the quality of life. The complexity of infrastructure networks themselves, the operations of the public entities that manage them and the governance systems that oversee them make this a challenging activity. This research uses the city of Arequipa in Peru as a case study to bridge the knowledge gap on the behaviour of such municipalities regarding the management of infrastructure systems. It employs qualitative system dynamics modelling through a methodology based on the V-model, with its emphasis on validation and verification, and framed in the systems thinking approach. First, 67 variables characterising the management of infrastructure systems in Arequipa are identified from the literature and semi-structured interviews with key actors. Second, a model of the system is constructed using causal loop diagrams. Within this model, 33 feedback loops are identified, formed from the causal influences between variables. Third, a diagnosis is carried out that unequivocally illuminates the failure patterns of the municipalities. Fourth, by identifying leverage points, a paradigm-shifting intervention is proposed along with tools that municipalities can implement to improve their performance. Finally, these proposals are validated with key actors through a focus group.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE OBJECTS ACCOUNTING OF URBOECOSYSTEMS: METHODOLOGICAL AND APPLIED ASPECTS

Introduction. The need to improve and develop methodical approaches to the accounting of green infrastructure objects is due to the lack of a unified system for determining the green infrastructure objects status of municipal territorial communities; the high dynamism of changes in the quality of the urbanized environment natural components and the economic conditions of society's existence; insufficiently regulated spatial development of cities and intra-system zoning and zoning of cities; lack of an ecosystem approach to the procedure of green infrastructure objects assessment and accounting.
 The purpose of the article: to justify the need in determine the green infrastructure objects status of urboecosystems, generalize methodical approaches to the accounting of such objects and develop proposals for their improvement.
 Results. The article substantiates the necessity of determining the green infrastructure objects status in municipal territorial communities, improving and developing methodical approaches to their accounting. The institutional prerequisites for the green infrastructure objects accounting of urban ecosystems, the tools of quantitative and quantitative-qualitative accounting of green spaces (interactive maps and plans, GIS accounting, mapping methods) that have gained practical application are considered. International approaches to the accounting of green infrastructure objects of urban ecosystems are analyzed. Current approaches that can be used for the identification of green infrastructure objects, their inventory, and certification have been identified, which allows us to assert the feasibility of considering green infrastructure as natural assets of the urban economy with all the prerequisites and consequences, namely, reflection in the General Development Plans, development strategies, plans and projects, accounting on the accounts of municipalities, distribution of responsibility for creation, operation, restoration, etc., which will be directly reflected in the green infrastructure management system. Proposals have been developed to fill in the criteria for quantitative and qualitative accounting of green spaces, which must be included in inventory lists, registers and passports of green infrastructure objects. As well as value indicators: book value, restoration value, improvement value, value increase, depreciation of green infrastructure objects. The experience of accounting implementation for the value indicators of green infrastructure objects ecosystem services is substantiated, since ecosystem capital is no less important than financial capital, and over time it will become the basis of the national wealth of the world countries.
 Conclusions. The green infrastructure formation is one of the strategic directions of the green course principles implementation in urban planning, and the accounting system of green infrastructure objects is an institutional environment element of the green cities functioning, information support for making management decisions that will contribute to the natural resources protection of urban ecosystems, and the quality improvement of the city`s residents living environment.

KMS Infrastructure for KM Practice in Two Mobile Telecommunication Companies in Namibia

Knowledge management system infrastructure is at the forefront of knowledge management practice. Knowledge must be identified, captured, and shared to improve KM practices; however, little is known about the successful implementation of KMS infrastructure by Namibian mobile telecommunications companies. This mixed-methods research study employed a convergent parallel design and parallel sampling techniques. Three hundred and nine online questionnaires were distributed to a representative sample, with a response rate of 57%. Computer software packages were used to analyse quantitative data quantitatively, and qualitative data from interviews with 11 participants and analysis of documents were analysed thematically. Findings showed that infrastructure, management support, and employee participation were necessary for a successful KMS infrastructure implementation for effective and efficient KM practices. The study provides MT companies with a foundational understanding of how the infrastructure for KMS is essential for effective and efficient KM practice.

Semi-automatic crack width measurement using an OrthoBoundary algorithm

Evaluation of pavements' crack severity levels currently relies heavily on width measurement, which necessitates the development of a rapid, and high-accurate, automatic measurement approach for complex pavement cracks. This paper presents an OrthoBoundary algorithm that leverages the crack boundary and skeleton directions to determine crack propagation. Comparative analysis has been conducted between OrthoBoundary and Area-Length, Skeleton Shortest Distance (SSD), Edge Shortest Distance (ESD), and Orthogonal Projection (OP) methods. Results indicate that the OrthoBoundary algorithm achieves an average accuracy of 90.10%, outperforming the Area-Length (86.60%), SSD (76.01%), ESD (87.24%), and OP (88.07%) methods. Notably, the OrthoBoundary algorithm also exhibits processing speeds approximately 120 times faster than other considered methods while demonstrating improved robustness and user-friendliness. It has significant potential to quantify and assess the severity of pavement cracks, as well as to facilitate maintenance decision-making processes in road infrastructure management systems.

Antimicrobial resistance control activities at a tertiary hospital in a low-resource setting: an example of Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Malawi.

Addressing AMR has been most problematic in low- and middle-income countries, which lack infrastructure, diagnostic capacity, and robust data management systems, among other factors. The implementation of locally-led efforts in a low-income country to develop sustainability and build capacity for AMR control within the existing infrastructure has not been well documented. We detail current AMR control initiatives at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, a tertiary referral government hospital in Malawi with limited resources, and present the activities accomplished to date, lessons learned, and challenges ahead. The key areas of AMR control initiatives that the group focused on included laboratory diagnostics and surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, infection prevention and control, pharmacy, leadership, education, and funding. The hospital AMR Control Working Group increased awareness, built capacity, and implemented activities around AMR control throughout the hospital, in spite of the resource limitations in this setting. Our results are based on the substantial leadership provided by the working group and committed stakeholders who have taken ownership of this process. Limited resources pose a challenge to the implementation of AMR control activities in low- and middle-income countries. Leadership is central to implementation. Future efforts will need to transition the initiative from an almost fully personal commitment to one with wider engagement to ensure sustainability.

TOWARDS BIM-GIS INTEGRATION FOR ROAD INTELLIGENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Roads and highways are often managed by using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). However, these systems lack the level of detail that Building Information Modelling (BIM) can bring to an infrastructure management system. BMGIS integration allows the management of information from both infrastructure and environmental points of view. This provides an overview of the infrastructure, facilitating decision-making process throughout its complete life cycle. This article shows a semi-automated process to generate the hybrid BIM-GIS model of Madrid Calle30. The model together with an external database was uploaded to an intelligent management platform that allows visualising the available documentation, assisting management, and bringing the ring-road closer to a digital twin of the infrastructure.

Measurements, Simulation, Analysis and Geolocation in a Digital Twin tool for bridge management

AbstractThis paper presents a digital‐twin based tool that can be used for bridge management. The tool offers various capabilities that include embedding BIM geometries, simulations, measurements, GIS location, and performance analysis. These features enable efficient and effective management of bridges by providing detailed information and analysis of the bridge's performance, which can help in identifying potential issues and implementing appropriate solutions. The methodology represents one of the outcomes of Ashvin, an H2020 project aimed to providing assistant solution for design, construction and management of infrastructure systems. The hitherto obtained findings include this digital tool which can be of practical and beneficial use for bridge owners and operators, as it can help them to organize and centralize the bridge data in a way it helps making informed decisions regarding the maintenance, repair, and replacement of bridges. Overall, this paper highlights the importance of embracing technology in the management of critical infrastructure such as bridges, which can significantly improve their performance and extend their lifespan.

THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO IT INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT IN CONDITIONS OF DIGITALIZATION

The article proves that the formation and support of IT infrastructure developing is a key strategic factor in the effective functioning of enterprises and organizations. There are the interpretations of the concepts ‘IT infrastructure’, ‘information infrastructure’, ‘technological infrastructure’ and ‘supporting infrastructure’. It has been found that the IT infrastructure needs constant support and updating to ensure the safety and reliability of data, devices, IT services, tools, technological processes, information, and communication technologies. The components of the organization’s IT infrastructure that meet the needs and business development plan are given. It has been established that IT infrastructure components can be deployed, organized and implemented in various ways. The main tasks of the IT infrastructure and its purpose are also given. The article provides the information that the modern version of the organization’s IT infrastructure is cloud infrastructure, which is quite effective for small and medium-sized businesses with a limited budget. It was found out the virtualization of the IT infrastructure of the enterprise is provided by the virtualization of servers, applications, workstations, the use of cloud computing, optimization of the information network, interaction on demand. The areas of management that have developed from the need to maximize the value created by IT assets are characterized: ITOM, ITSM and ITAM. Important to know the role of the IT infrastructure management system because it is manifested in the proactive administration and management of technological tools, in particular: monitoring of errors and problems; patch tracking; tracing all errors back to their original sources. Moreover, it has been established that the role of IT infrastructure security is becoming more complicated as business entities move to cloud models, hybrid models, multi-cloud technologies, etc. Finally, the model of providing cloud services, with the help of which IT organizations can purchase virtualized computing resources from a third-party provider and access them via the Internet, is called infrastructure services (IaaS).

Influence of Basic Health Care Provision Fund in improving primary Health Care in Kano state, a descriptive cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) is a direct financial investment that funds Primary Healthcare (PHC) to improve the quality of services. This study assessed the influence of the BHCPF in improving PHC services.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among PHC workers in 100 facilities randomly selected from the 484 designated PHCs for implementing the BHCPF project in Kano state. Using multiple sampling methods, 200 healthcare workers in PHC facilities were selected and assisted by trained data collectors to respond to the questionnaires. Chi-square analysis was used to show associated factors, while binary regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between factors influencing the BHCPF implementation in PHC.ResultThe findings showed healthcare workers had higher awareness (61.7%) and good utilization (57.1%) of BHCPF. Challenges of the BHCPF implementation were insufficiently skilled health professionals (85%), lack of data management capacity (52.6%), low community participation and awareness (52.0%), delay in releasing funds (60.7%), poor infrastructure (87.8%), and weak financial management and accountability system (58.2%). Healthcare professionals having a diploma were four times more likely to have the National Health Management Information System (NHMIS) in their facilities (AOR = 4.955, 95% CI = 1.120–21.036; P-value 0.035) than those without. Primary healthcare facilities were two times more likely to have the NHMIS (AOR = 2.549, 95% CI = 1.167–5.566: P-value 0. 019) than health post.ConclusionThe factors that influenced PHC facilities to promote the implementation of BHCPF included: periodic evaluation of the facilities, availability of functional storage facilities, and improving the standard of care in PHC facilities. There is a need for retraining healthcare workers and creating more community awareness of the BHCPF.

Probability-based damage thresholds for bridges’ inspection-based deterioration curves

A probability-based procedure is presented to define damage thresholds of bridges’ deterioration curves, which is applied to a large bridge database of real on-site inspections. The procedure is based on a change of variable to transform any distribution of bridge durability deterioration ratings into a normal distribution. This allows probability-based calculations of damage thresholds associated to certain criteria (e.g. Serviceability or Ultimate Limit State), for immediate application to deterioration prediction curves. This research defines a novel procedure for a probability-based analysis of inspection-based data and, de facto, provides a reliable statistical support system to traditional infrastructure management systems of bridges.

Modelling principal-agent dilemma for management of resilience in interdependent infrastructure systems

Temporal dilemmas are observed between the short-term incentives of the asset managers, as agents, versus the long-term resilience driven goals of the organisations, who own and operate the infrastructure systems as principals. That is, the incentive mechanisms designed based on the short-term tenure of an asset manager may structurally deprive the infrastructure owner/operator organisations from directing resources towards their long-term resilience driven goals. Lack of long-term incentives by asset managers adds another layer to managment of resilience in the context of infrastructure systems in their life cycle. We proposed a framework for integrating resilience into asset management of infrastructure systems and modelled it to explore the impact of such temporal dilemmas in principal-agent relations and potential strategic responses. The model reflects the interdependency of the sub-systems of infrastructures to assess each sub-system's periodic coupled resilience. The proposed integrated simulation reflects coupled impacts of shocks and stressors within regular asset management regimes. The simulation results provide quantitative evidence of how managerial and political dimensions can impact management of resilience in the context of infrastructure systems and open another discourse towards considering the complexities of organising for resilience in socio-technical systems.

Reinforcement Learning-Based Dynamic Zone Placement Variable Speed Limit Control for Mixed Traffic Flows Using Speed Transition Matrices for State Estimation

Current transport infrastructure and traffic management systems are overburdened due to the increasing demand for road capacity, which often leads to congestion. Building more infrastructure is not always a practical strategy to increase road capacity. Therefore, services from Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITSs) are commonly applied to increase the level of service. The growth of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) brings new opportunities to the traffic management system. One of those approaches is Variable Speed Limit (VSL) control, and in this paper a VSL based on Q-Learning (QL) using CAVs as mobile sensors and actuators in combination with Speed Transition Matrices (STMs) for state estimation is developed and examined. The proposed Dynamic STM-QL-VSL (STM-QL-DVSL) algorithm was evaluated in seven traffic scenarios with CAV penetration rates ranging from 10% to 100%. The proposed STM-QL-DVSL algorithm utilizes two sets of actions that include dynamic speed limit zone positions and computed speed limits. The proposed algorithm was compared to no control, rule-based VSL, and two STM-QL-VSL configurations with fixed VSL zones. The developed STM-QL-DVSL outperformed all other control strategies and improved measured macroscopic traffic parameters like Total Time Spent (TTS) and Mean Travel Time (MTT) by learning the control policy for each simulated scenario.

Architecture of a Data Portal for Publishing and Delivering Open Data for Atmospheric Measurement

Atmospheric data are collected by researchers every day. Campaigns such as GOAmazon 2014/2015 and the Amazon Tall Tower Observatory collect essential data on aerosols, gases, cloud properties, and meteorological parameters in the Brazilian Amazon basin. These data products provide insights and essential information for analyzing and predicting natural processes. However, in Brazil, it is estimated that more than 80% of the scientific data collected are not published due to the lack of web portals that collect and store these data. This makes it difficult, or even impossible, to access and integrate the data, which can result in the loss of significant amounts of information and significantly affect the understanding of the overall data. To address this problem, we propose a data portal architecture and open data deployment that enable Big Data processing, human interaction, and download-oriented approaches with tools that help users catalog, publish and visualize atmospheric data. Thus, we describe the architecture developed, based on the experience of the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Data Center, which incorporates the principles of FAIR, the infrastructure and content management system for managing scientific data. The portal partial results were tested with environmental data from contaminated areas at the University of São Paulo. Overall, this data portal creates more shared knowledge about atmospheric processes by providing users with access to open environmental data.

IABSE Survey of Implemented Decision-making Models used by Public and Private Owners/Operators of Road- and Railway Infrastructures

Infrastructure systems, such as bridges, are a driver for the economic growth and sustainable development of countries. Similarly, the development of operation and maintenance strategies for infrastructure systems may aim at optimal management using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as reliability, redundancy, availability, safety, economy, environmental performance and resilience. Recent research and development projects, such as COST TU1406, highlight that infrastructure managers make decisions based on a mix of qualitative and quantitative data from various sources paired with models of various levels of complexity as well as expert judgement. Similarly, recent state-of-the-art academia reports on a variety of different decision-making models applicable to the optimal management of infrastructure systems may be used. Within IABSE Commission 5 on Existing Structures, Task Group 5.4 has performed a survey on implemented decision-making models among 23 infrastructure managers from 20 countries. It highlights some similarities in relation to KPIs, condition rating and limit state checks. This has stimulated the standardisation of decision making. The application of risk-based methods, performance prediction and intervention modelling are somewhat more scattered and may call for further research and development as well as training. The need to bridge the gap between implemented decision-making models and research is of paramount importance.

Infrastructure Management System

Technology cannot be disregarded because it has raised the living standards and sparked revolutions in many facets of contemporary society. In every industry, technology has decreased labor and time requirements, and enhanced production efficiency. A certain technology's innovation eventually makes it a part of society and essential to people's daily lives. The management of infrastructure manually in any organization or institution is a tedious task. In order to make the management of infrastructure in courts automated, an application is developed that maintains every detail of all infrastructures and IT stocks in the courts. Users can view the purchase date, warranty period, and location of the infrastructure in the court. A unique QR code is generated for each piece of furniture and IT stock to access its details. The Infrastructure Management System is touted as a revolution in court management. This application saves time and workload. Moreover, notifications are generated if the service period is nearing, and it would call the service person regarding the repair and service. This management system is found to be effective and efficient.

Bridge Infrastructure Management System: Autoencoder Approach for Predicting Bridge Condition Ratings

Being an essential component of our economy, bridges play a vital role in facilitating transportation of people and goods all over the world. Bridge infrastructure systems help in developing an effective way to monitor and protect structures in all aspects. However, the bridges are exposed to various kinds of damages due to aging, heavy load of traffic, quality of construction, and so on. Hence, determining the condition of such bridges through a proper infrastructure management system is important for understanding the potential loss in the longevity of the structures. This research paper presents the development and evaluation of an autoencoder-random forest (AE-RF) model to predict the condition rating of bridges using the National Bridge Inventory (NBI) database. To demonstrate the proposed model, a case study using bridges present in the US state of Florida has been performed using historical NBI data (2011–2020). Through this research, it was identified that when one of the deep learning models, named autoencoder, is combined with random forest (RF), it results in an efficient model for determining the condition ratings of the bridge components with fewer input parameters. The developed model was about 90% accurate in predicting the bridge’s deck condition by using other rating values as input variables and about 79% accurate without the use of any other rating factors, thereby addressing the existing research gap in determining the condition rating without the use of historic condition rating. On the other hand, the model was 78% and 77% accurate in determining the condition ratings for superstructure and substructure without using historic ratings and evaluation parameters. Hence, the proposed model would be more reliable in the evaluation of condition of existing bridges across the nation.

Satellite Remote Sensing and Non-Destructive Testing Methods for Transport Infrastructure Monitoring: Advances, Challenges and Perspectives

High-temporal-frequency monitoring of transport infrastructure is crucial to facilitate maintenance and prevent major service disruption or structural failures. Ground-based non-destructive testing (NDT) methods have been successfully applied for decades, reaching very high standards for data quality and accuracy. However, routine campaigns and long inspection times are required for data collection and their implementation into reliable infrastructure management systems (IMSs). On the other hand, satellite remote sensing techniques, such as the Multi-Temporal Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (MT-InSAR) method, have proven effective in monitoring ground displacements of transport infrastructure (roads, railways and airfields) with a much higher temporal frequency of investigation and the capability to cover wider areas. Nevertheless, the integration of information from (i) satellite remote sensing and (ii) ground-based NDT methods is a subject that is still to be fully explored in civil engineering. This paper aims to review significant stand-alone and combined applications in these two areas of endeavour for transport infrastructure monitoring. The recent advances, main challenges and future perspectives arising from their mutual integration are also discussed.

Concepts for the Integration of Data from Asset Management Systems into BIM

Even though BIM is still rarely used in operation over the lifetime of infrastructure assets, it promises significant benefits for national road authorities with regard to condition updating and the effects of maintenance measures required in contemporary asset management. This paper introduces new approaches for a task-related data exchange between BIM and Infrastructure Management Systems. Concepts to manage semantic information and to visualize geometric-related information are presented. For selected use cases, country-specific information containers were defined to support the general process map which differ fundamentally according to the ontologies, links and documents that are used and stored. The proposed approach was implemented in a web application and tested for three predefined use cases within the framework of a case study.