Augmented Reality for Subsurface Utility Engineering: Exploring and developing 3D capture and AR visualization methods for subsurface utilities

On-site planning and excavation of underground infrastructure requires easy access to reliable and accurate subsurface utility records to ensure an informed decision-making foundation.
In this thesis new methods using Reality Capture and Augmented Reality technology were explored and developed to provide informed decision-making visualization for utility owners and contractors when planning and managing underground infrastructure projects. That included an AR visualization method for displaying 3D capture data of underground infrastructure for supporting subsurface utility engineering on site. The method was implemented in an outdoor AR prototype system capable of accurate and robust in-situ visualization of 3D capture data with close alignment to the real surroundings. Another AR visualization method was also developed, however, this time using conventional utility map data as visualization source. The method focused on visualizing the utility data as virtual utility markings providing close and seamless blending with the ground surface as well as adapting real utility marking design schemes from industry guidelines.
Overall, the AR system and visualization method provided a comprehensible visualization that was greatly appreciated by the interviewed contractors and utility owners.