Managed Objects Paradigm applied to Infrastructure Data Interoperability

Vianova Systems wishes to define a new standard for interoperability within civil infrastructure management, by creating a computer model that is able to simplify the inherent complexity of large infrastructure projects. In this context, it seems that a c oncept called Managed Objects from Aalborg University in Denmark fits perfectly from a conceptual point of view, because they have the possibility of not only containing data, but also encapsulating behavior within the same entity. Managed Objects has so far been successfully tested in small conditions, and there is no apparent reason why the concept cannot be applied to large scale industrial environments. One of the key points in obtaining a standard as mentioned is linking distributed data sources (re positories) together and creating a messaging system between them. If changes made to one repository automatically can be updated and reflected to other repositories, much of todays manual work can be automated a human errors can be avoided and the associ ated workload of keeping information up-to-date can be reduced. Civil infrastructure projects are costly investments for society, and the consequences of suboptimal design and mistakes done during the construction period make them even more costly. For a typical infrastructure project today (e.g. a road or railway project), this excess cost can constitute as much as 5-10 % of the total budget. There is a large potential to reduce these excess costs, by creating a working environment where design mistakes and conflicts can be detected at an early stage. An automated clash control system can be built to detect errors theoretically even in real time. To obtain this level of enhanced interoperability and collaboration on civil infrastructure projects, new w orking methods and new technology must be developed, and Vianova Systems believes this research program can represent a breakthrough in that aspect.