360° Mapping in Urban Infrastructure Management: Revolutionizing Asset Registration and Monitoring

Efficient management of urban infrastructure is one of the greatest challenges faced by public administrators and utility companies. Streetlights, traffic signs, traffic lights, hydrants, manholes, distribution networks, and countless other elements form a complex ecosystem that requires constant attention, maintenance, and updates.

Traditionally, registering and monitoring these urban assets relied on manual processes — slow and prone to inaccuracies. Field teams had to walk through streets with clipboards, forms, and more recently tablets, to record information about each element. This process not only consumed significant time and resources but also often resulted in incomplete or outdated data.

In this scenario, 360° mobile mapping emerges as a transformative technology, revolutionizing the way we manage urban infrastructure. In this article, we explore how advanced mapping systems such as the ARX 672, combined with specialized software like ARX Geo 360, are redefining standards of efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness in urban asset management.

The Challenges of Traditional Urban Infrastructure Management

Complex and Costly Initial Registration

In medium and large cities, asset registration involves tens or even hundreds of thousands of elements spread across extensive areas. Traditional methods demand:

• Large teams to cover all areas;

  
  

• Weeks or months of fieldwork;

  
  

• High costs for staff, transport, and equipment;

  
  

• Specific training to standardize data collection.

Difficulty Keeping Data Updated

Once the initial registration is complete, keeping it up to date is an ongoing challenge:

• New assets are installed regularly;

  
  

• Existing assets are removed or replaced;

  
  

• Physical conditions of elements change over time;

  
  

• Environmental changes can impact asset functionality.

Inaccurate and Inconsistent Data

Traditional methods often lead to:

• Variations in data quality between teams;

  
  

• Inaccuracies in asset georeferencing;

  
  

• Incomplete information about physical characteristics;

  
  

• Difficulty documenting the spatial context of surroundings.

Inefficient Decision-Making

With outdated or inaccurate data, managers struggle to:

• Plan efficient preventive maintenance;

  
  

• Prioritize interventions in critical areas;

  
  

• Optimize resource allocation;

  
  

• Respond quickly to emergencies.

How 360° Mapping Transforms Infrastructure Management

360° mobile mapping represents a paradigm shift in how we collect, analyze, and use data about urban infrastructure. Using systems like the ARX 672, it is possible to capture 72 MP high-resolution panoramic images with precise georeferencing, creating a complete visual record of the urban environment.

Fast and Comprehensive Data Collection

• A single vehicle equipped with the ARX 672 can map dozens of kilometers of roads per day.

  
  

• All images are automatically georeferenced with centimeter-level accuracy through GNSS/IMU integration.

  
  

• 72 MP resolution enables detailed identification of urban assets, such as property numbers.

  
  

• The process is non-invasive and does not disrupt normal city activity.

Building a Complete Visual Inventory

Unlike traditional methods that capture only specific attributes, 360° mapping creates a comprehensive visual inventory:

• Every element is captured in its spatial context.

  
  

• Panoramic images allow not only visualization but also measurement and registration directly in the 360° panorama.

• It is possible to "virtually revisit" any location at any time.

  
  

• The visual record serves as a baseline for future comparisons.

Accurate Measurements Without Field Visits

With ARX Geo 360, managers can directly measure from panoramic images:

• Pole and structure heights;

  
  

• Distances between elements;

  
  

• Dimensions of signs and markings;

  
  

• Road and sidewalk widths;

  
  

• Or any other visible asset.

  
  

This eliminates the need for field inspections, saving both time and resources.

Efficient Asset Identification and Registration

Combined with ARX Geo 360, 360° mapping allows:

• Visual identification of each infrastructure element;

  
  

• Automatic georeferencing of assets;

  
  

• Classification by type, condition, and characteristics;

  
  

• Creation of a custom, complete, and precise database.

  
  

Seamless Integration with Existing Management Systems

Data collected with ARX systems can be easily integrated into existing GIS platforms:

• Export to GIS-compatible formats;

  
  

• Integration with management systems via DLL.

Practical Use Cases of 360° Mapping in Infrastructure Management

Public Lighting Management

• Precise registration of each streetlight;

  
  

• Recording luminaire type, power, and technology used;

  
  

• Identifying areas with insufficient lighting;

  
  

• Planning modernizations (e.g., LED replacement) based on accurate data;

  
  

• Monitoring the physical condition of poles and luminaires.

A city in São Paulo state successfully mapped its entire public lighting network in just two weeks using ARX 672 — a process that would traditionally take months. This enabled faster LED replacement, energy savings, and improved lighting quality.

Traffic Signage and Road Safety

• Cataloging all traffic signs with precision;

  
  

• Checking visibility from different angles;

  
  

• Identifying damaged or vandalized signs;

  
  

• Verifying compliance with regulations remotely;

  
  

• Planning new signage more accurately;

  
  

• Assessing asphalt quality.

A highway concessionaire used ARX 672 to inventory signage along 150 km of roads. The process identified 87 damaged signs needing immediate replacement and 134 locations where vegetation impaired visibility, allowing rapid corrective actions that improved road safety and ensured compliance with concession agreements.

Utility Network Management

• Accurate registration of poles, transformers, and equipment;

  
  

• Identifying conflicts between different networks;

  
  

• Checking safety distances between networks and buildings;

  
  

• Planning expansions with complete visual data;

  
  

• Rapid damage assessments after extreme weather;

  
  

• Identifying vegetation interference with power lines.

Energisa, a major Brazilian energy distributor, uses ARX 672 to map vegetation interference in urban areas, enabling preventive pruning and ensuring continuous network operation far more efficiently than traditional inspections.

Urban Drainage Management

• Accurate registration of storm drains and culverts;

  
  

• Identifying blockages or damages;

  
  

• Planning preventive cleaning in priority areas;

  
  

• Assessing system capacity relative to urban growth.

  
  

A municipality of São Paulo used ARX 672 to build a complete drainage system database. The data revealed critical areas with insufficient drainage capacity, allowing preventive interventions before heavy rains, significantly reducing flooding points.

Artificial Intelligence: The Next Step in Infrastructure Management

Combining 360° mapping with AI technologies represents the cutting edge of urban infrastructure management. ARX Geo 360 already integrates AI for automatic identification of vertical and horizontal traffic signs, streamlining the inventory process. These AI features enable rapid processing of large data volumes, turning images into actionable insights for managers.

Return on Investment: Why Adopt 360° Mapping?

Resource Savings

• Up to 70% faster asset registration;

  
  

• 60% reduction in field inspection costs;

  
  

• Optimized allocation of maintenance teams;

  
  

• Efficient prioritization of interventions with precise data;

  
  

• Increased safety by reducing field exposure.

Improved Service Quality

• Faster response to infrastructure issues;

  
  

• Preventive maintenance based on real data;

  
  

• Better planning for expansions and modernizations;

  
  

• Greater transparency in public resource management.

Sustainability and Resilience

• Improved preparedness for extreme weather events;

  
  

• Reduced resource waste in unnecessary interventions;

  
  

• Long-term planning based on reliable data;

  
  

• Historical documentation of infrastructure evolution.

How to Implement 360° Mapping in Your City or Company

ARX Tecnologia offers different implementation models:

• System Purchase – full autonomy with ARX 672 and ARX Geo 360.

  
  

• Flexible Rental – short-term or seasonal projects with full support.

  
  

• Specialized Services – outsourced data collection, processing, and integration.

Conclusion: The Future of Urban Infrastructure Management

360° mobile mapping is revolutionizing the way we manage urban infrastructure. By combining high-resolution imagery, geospatial precision, and advanced analytics, solutions like ARX 672 and ARX Geo 360 empower public managers and utility companies to make smarter decisions, optimize resources, and improve service quality.

As cities grow more complex and resources become scarcer, adopting intelligent infrastructure management technologies is no longer optional, it is essential. 360° mapping is not just a technological tool, but a new paradigm that transforms data into knowledge, and knowledge into action.

ARX Tecnologia, as a pioneer in 360° mobile mapping solutions in Brazil, is committed to supporting cities and companies on this transformation journey, delivering cutting-edge technology and specialized support tailored to every need.