Augmented Reality is a revolutionary tool that can help further transform the public works industry for the 21st Century. There are many practical applications of AR, such as real-time sharing of data and locating hidden infrastructure at a reduced cost. While there is much excitement and potential around AR technology, agencies must be prepared to handle the rapid technological changes, fiscal impact of hardware and software, safety implications, substantial data storage, and continuous employee training. By recognizing and preparing for these conditions, agency leaders can become champions of this growing technology and lead their agency into a more efficient and robust future.
With respects to Public Works, augmented reality is already a reality. AR utilizes computer technology to overlay digital information on an image of something captured and viewed through a device. As the technology improves, so will the need for infrastructure, maintenance, and support. A real world application of AR in public works can be seen in Toms River Municipal Utilities Authority in New Jersey. They began by documenting their assets to three-foot accuracy scale in GIS, then implemented a customized AR systems which combines three existing technologies (ESRI GIS, Microsoft Azure, and Microsoft HoloLens). To read more about augmented reality and its applications and impacts on public works click here.