Spatial network analysis for navigation system based on 3D game engine

Abstract

Enhanced 3D game engine was first developed for computer games, become more compliant and versatile thus enables it to be integrated with GIS applications for them to boost up the 3D capabilities. 3D navigation is one of the 3D GIS components that benefited from this technology. Extreme competitions in computer related industries have trailed it to the development of new amazing technologies. Visualizing geospatial data in 3D environment is more relevant for navigation systems rather than using symbolic 2D maps because 3D visualization can provides users with the real spatial information (colors and shapes) and the 3D models resembles the real world objects.Landmarks and other features that can be very helpful when navigating in the real world are easily spotted in the 3D environment but hardly available in 2D maps. By incorporating a database, users can even carry out some spatial analyses that greatly improve the system’s reliability. Among the most frequently spatial analysis used in a navigation system is the network analysis. In 3D environment, network analysis requires a proper network structure to execute the analysis. This paper describes the development of 3D navigation system in 3D (indoor and outdoor) environment by utilizing a freely available 3D game engine couple with geographical network analysis elements.