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Journals / International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics / 2026 / Volume: 13 Issue: 1

A Digital Twin Applications in Rail Systems: A Real-Time Monitoring Framework Based on BIM–GIS–IoT Integration

Tolga Bozkurt(İSTANBUL TEKNİK ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0009-0003-8257-1244
Zaide Duran(ISTANBUL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-1608-0119
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-04-30
DOI
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The results indicate that a BIM–GIS–IoT integrated digital twin significantly improves environmental monitoring, enhances visibility of station equipment status and supports more informed maintenance decisions.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study develops a digital twin framework that integrates BIM (Building Information Modeling), GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and IoT (Internet of Things) sensor data to enhance real-time monitoring and operational visibility in metro stations.
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Key Findings & Data:In the proposed system, IoT sensors collect real-time data including temperature, humidity, air quality, vibration and ultrasonic noise, which are integrated with the IFC-based BIM model and GIS-based station map and visualized through a web-based dashboard.
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Conclusion & Impact:The results indicate that a BIM–GIS–IoT integrated digital twin significantly improves environmental monitoring, enhances visibility of station equipment status and supports more informed maintenance decisions.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Digital Twin · BIM · GIS

Abstract

This study develops a digital twin framework that integrates BIM (Building Information Modeling), GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and IoT (Internet of Things) sensor data to enhance real-time monitoring and operational visibility in metro stations. Although digital twin applications in the literature mainly focus on signaling, infrastructure health, or machine learning–based predictive maintenance, comprehensive station-level models that combine spatial representation with real-time sensor data remain limited. Accordingly, the aim of this research is to propose an institutionally applicable digital twin architecture through a case study conducted at a selected station within Metro Istanbul. In the proposed system, IoT sensors collect real-time data including temperature, humidity, air quality, vibration and ultrasonic noise, which are integrated with the IFC-based BIM model and GIS-based station map and visualized through a web-based dashboard. A case study design was adopted; data collection relied on IoT measurements, while system modeling utilized BIM and GIS layers. The results indicate that a BIM–GIS–IoT integrated digital twin significantly improves environmental monitoring, enhances visibility of station equipment status and supports more informed maintenance decisions. The originality of this study lies in transforming the digital twin components widely discussed in the literature into a unified monitoring platform implemented within an actual metro operation environment.

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Cite This Article

Bozkurt, T., Duran, Z. (2026). A Digital Twin Applications in Rail Systems: A Real-Time Monitoring Framework Based on BIM–GIS–IoT Integration. International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics, Volume: 13 Issue: 1. https://ajindex.com/articles/1413057

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