Modelling Railways in the Context of Interoperable Geospatial Data

In geospatial information, the interoperability term must be defined at different levels to fully consider the design of complex spatial infrastructures: sematic, schematic, syntax, and, above all, on processes and steps required to be shared in a common framework. The interoperability issue is the keystone of the research topic and is analysed through different aspects and points of view, with a focus on three relevant aspects. First of all, the 3D information: from the cartographic point of view (2.5D) to fully 3D models. Then, the link between reference geoinformation and geospatial thematic applications applied in the context of railway infrastructures. Finally, multi-source information in an integrated spatial database is analysed in management, validation, and update over time. The proposed approach starts from the reference data based on 3D geotopographic information. The research aims to devise a prototype process of a 3D data model able to describe firstly geospatial databases derived from cartography maps, then a spatial model shareable among different territorial applications and analysis. 3D city models and Building Information Model (BIM) connection has been considered. The case study refers to railway infrastructure contents. Consequently, the research objectives touch the following aspects: the evolution of base cartography toward spatial databases, the connection between a 3D geospatial database and a 3D city modelling, the connection between 3D city modelling and BIM, the connection between geo- reference and geo-thematic applications in the context of railways, the role of point clouds data within spatial databases, and the multi-source geospatial information management. To summarise, the thesis focuses on outlining a road map to keep interoperability using geographical standards and formal steps. Each step runs as a liaison point between different spatial data applications. Independence from technological platforms or application formats has been one of the mandatory requirements.