ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT: To date, 2D GIS is common and their related theories, concepts and models like for geometrical modeling and spatial relationships of objects are also well addressed and investigated. Most of the tasks and applications related to 2D GIS applications are quite straightforward and relatively easy to handle. 2D GIS spatial analysis such as proximity analysis or proximity computation, network analysis, overlay function, neighborhood function, metric measurement and other analytical operations are also well understood and well researched by the GIS community. However, problem started to surface once we move towards 3D domain, i.e. to add an additional dimension to the current 2D GIS situations such as in spatial data modeling, analysis and application. Considering the 3D analysis is one of the core components of the 3D GIS, therefore, an investigation that involves 3D data input and 3D analytical operation (shortest path and buffering) will be addressed in this paper. Other aspect such as database is also one of the scopes of this study. The developed analytical operations have been tested using Stuttgart 3D city model. In general, managing disaster scene is quite demanding and needs rapid spatial information on demand where some of the required information is in the form of 3D visualization of a spatial query and analysis, e.g. finding the 3D area of burning residential spaces inside a building for compensation. By doing it in 3D environment, it will not only help in decision making (2D versus 3D visualization and analysis) but also in giving better understanding and interpretation to the users of what is happening in a particular disaster scene. This paper discusses the development of proximity analysis that is the 3D buffering and 3D navigation tool, i.e. shortest path for 3D city model. The corresponding algorithms that work for most of the spatial primitives, i.e. point, line, and polygon in 3D will be discussed. We tested the proposed approach by using Stuttgart 3D city model. Finally, the paper provides outlook to the proposed work towards the development of advanced analytical solutions in 3D navigation of 3D GIS domain.