On May 16, 2023, during SUMSF 2023, Joshua Lieberman, Director of Innovation Programs at the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) presented a livestream talk on Integrating and Sharing Underground Information with MUDDI.

The OGC is a member-led group of experts dedicated to improving access to, advancing, and sharing, geospatial and information while addressing everyday needs and solving global challenges. 

Lieberman introduced MUDDI (Model for Underground Data Definition and Integration).He said there was a need to have an information model to safely work, maintain and improve underground utility infrastructure, as well as the supporting environment. What was available wasn’t keeping up with above ground. Concept development studies and workshops were held which helped define the requirements and needs for such a model. 

Lieberman went on to talk about the OS/UK underground data activities and discuss why building a harmonized data model would help exchanges, integration, sustainability and awareness.  He discussed use cases and case studies that included routine street excavations, disaster planning, emergency response, smart cities, large construction projects and more.

The OGC Standards Working Group is working on bringing  together underground and environment information. Lieberman showed the different stages of a conceptual model. He finished the presentation by discussing the MUDDI Network Extension. 

A question and answer session followed the presentation.  Watch the whole presentation to find out more.