Harrisburg, PA

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission GeoBIM Implementation

Client: Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
Our Role: GIS and Technology Consultant

Side-by-side view of a bridge model highlighting the various construction materials and their locations.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) oversees the planning, design, and construction of one of the most extensive transportation systems in the U.S. Established in 1940 as America’s first superhighway, the Turnpike now spans more than 560 miles and supports nearly half a million vehicles daily. PTC’s mission is to provide safe, reliable travel for the public while continuously innovating to meet the needs of modern infrastructure.

A major challenge facing PTC — and the wider architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry — is improving communication and collaboration across large-scale, complex projects. PTC manages thousands of assets, including more than 1,100 bridges and culverts, along with service areas, maintenance facilities, and emergency access gates. Historically, geographic information systems (GIS) and building information modeling (BIM) systems were siloed, making it difficult for stakeholders to visualize infrastructure projects in spatial context, identify potential design issues, and streamline decision-making.

PTC needed a solution to integrate GIS and BIM systems, unlocking richer insights, improving asset management, and enhancing collaboration across engineering, maintenance, and operations teams. The goal: bring Esri® and Autodesk platforms together into a unified environment that supports design, construction, and long-term maintenance.

PTC partnered with GFT to pilot Esri’s ArcGIS GeoBIM solution, a groundbreaking integration of GIS and BIM technologies. Leveraging our deep expertise in geospatial data management and digital delivery, GFT configured and tailored ArcGIS GeoBIM to align with PTC’s engineering, IT, and geoanalytics teams.

The ArcGIS GeoBIM solution provides a single platform that links Esri’s spatial data with Autodesk’s detailed design models, creating a comprehensive project data hub. This integration allows users to explore how design elements interact with real-world conditions, streamlining project reviews and lifecycle management.

Key capabilities include:

3D GIS visualization: Converting BIM models into Esri scene layers for interactive use in ArcGIS 3D Scene Viewer, making models accessible to users without specialized software.
Design review integration: Allowing engineers and maintenance staff to interrogate models, check design specifications, and identify inconsistencies (e.g., missing structural components).
Automated issue tracking: Enabling field teams to log issues directly within ArcGIS GeoBIM, which are instantly pushed to Autodesk Construction Cloud for resolution.
Cross-discipline collaboration: Engaging maintenance staff early in design reviews to identify potential future hazards, such as frost risks on bridges, before construction begins.

Through these innovations, PTC gained a centralized, cloud-enabled digital delivery platform from the pilot that enhances situational awareness, reduces risk, and empowers more informed decision-making.

Key Features

Esri ArcGIS Online.
Esri ArcGIS GeoBIM.
Esri 3D Scene Viewer.
Autodesk 360.
Autodesk Construction Cloud.
Autodesk Revit.
Bentley Open Roads.

Outcomes

Enhanced collaboration: Broke down silos between GIS and BIM, enabling engineers, designers, and maintenance staff to work from a common data environment.
Improved efficiency: Streamlined design review and project management processes with seamless data integration across platforms.
Strategic innovation: Positioned PTC as a leader in digital transformation for transportation infrastructure, embracing future-ready design and delivery methods.
Scalability and flexibility: Established a platform that integrates with existing Esri and Autodesk investments while scaling to meet future project demands.
Proactive risk management: Empowered staff to identify and mitigate potential safety and maintenance issues during the design phase, reducing long-term costs and improving roadway safety.