Model-Based Public Participation Using Open Data Exchange Formats

Public participation in planning processes is often limited by the reliance on two-dimensional technical drawings, which can be difficult for non-experts to interpret. Building Information Modeling (BIM) offers the potential to present complex planning information in a structured, model-based format. This study presents the design, prototypical implementation, and validation of a model-based public participation approach using open data exchange standards, specifically the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) and the BIM Collaboration Format (BCF). The approach includes a coordination model for public participation and story points as supporting visualization elements. These were implemented using a Common Data Environment (CDE) and a BIM-based participation platform. Validation through focus group workshops with professionals from road and rail infrastructure administrations indicates that the approach improves the comprehensibility and transparency of planning information. From a safety and reliability perspective, clearer model-based visualizations can reduce human interpretation errors when assessing complex infrastructure plans. By supporting a more consistent understanding of planning data among stakeholders, the approach contributes to more reliable decision-making under uncertainty. At the same time, challenges such as accessibility barriers, potential information overload, and limitations in representing certain planning aspects were identified.

Keywords: Public Participation, Planning Documents, Building Information Modeling (BIM), Common Data Environment (CDE), Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), BIM Collaboration Format (BCF).