Establishing an Urban Infrastructure Mapping Research Program: remembering Dr. Geoff Zeiss / Introduction to the National Digital Twin Initiative

Geoff Zeiss devoted over 30 years of his life to the Geospatial industry and global community, focusing on utility and construction sectors, and mapping underground utility infrastructure among many other projects. Sadly, Geoff passed away in September of 2022.  The Geoff Zeiss Urban Infrastructure Mapping Fund was established to build on decades of innovation by Dr. Zeiss in developing effective and sustainable urban infrastructure through research and development supporting urban information systems.  This talk outlines the goals envisioned by Dr. Zeiss, including a focus on the enhancement of utility mapping tools, creation of infrastructure digital twins, and modernization of data workflows and interoperability in global construction and infrastructure management.  A framework is presented that outlines a comprehensive systems approach to developing a research program that informs a diverse set of themes ranging from subsurface mapping, to 4D modeling, to the mapping the economic and social dimensions of infrastructure (to name a few).  The talks concludes with a description of short and medium term objectives for moving the research program forward.