GIFIS: A generalized immersive flood information system specification

Uditha Herath Mudiyanselage; Ramteja Sajja; Yusuf Sermet; Ibrahim Demir

doi:10.1016/j.envsoft.2026.107080

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GIFIS: A generalized immersive flood information system specification

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

GIFIS: A generalized immersive flood information system specification

Uditha Herath Mudiyanselage, Ramteja Sajja, Yusuf Sermet and Ibrahim Demir

Environmental modelling & software : with environment data news, Vol.204, 107080

09/2026

DOI: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2026.107080

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Abstract

This study introduces Generalized Immersive Flood Information Specification (GIFIS), a vendor-agnostic, JSON Schema–based framework for encoding, validating, and exchanging hydrologic and environmental data for reproducible and interoperable virtual and augmented reality applications. By defining standardized semantics for entities such as sensor datasets, hydrological model outputs, warnings and alerts, and infrastructure assets, along with portable document types for spatial anchoring, scene composition, and evidence packaging, GIFIS transforms interoperability into a verifiable property of the data itself. A built-in validator enforces conformance through rule codes and machine-readable diagnostics, ensuring that information published once can be deterministically interpreted across analytical, operational, and immersive environments. Through its schema-centric and engine-neutral design, GIFIS enables any client to load and interpret hydrologic information without reliance on proprietary rendering pipelines or manual data harmonization for immersive platforms and applications. By coupling semantic rigor with open governance and extensibility, GIFIS establishes a sustainable foundation for transparent, FAIR-compliant flood information systems that bridge scientific research, operational decision support, and public communication. •Defines a JSON Schema framework for interoperable flood information.•Makes semantics, units, and coordinates verifiable across systems.•Validator enforces rule-based, machine-readable data compliance.•Portable documents support 2D, 3D, and XR visualization platforms.•Enables FAIR, reproducible, and cross-platform hydrologic data exchange.

Virtual Reality

Data interoperability

Decision support

Digital twins

Flood information systems

Immersive analytics

Details

Title: Subtitle: GIFIS: A generalized immersive flood information system specification
Creators: Uditha Herath Mudiyanselage - University of Iowa, IIHR--Hydroscience and Engineering
Ramteja Sajja - Tulane University
Yusuf Sermet - Tulane University
Ibrahim Demir - Tulane University
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Environmental modelling & software : with environment data news, Vol.204, 107080
DOI: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2026.107080
ISSN: 1364-8152
eISSN: 1873-6726
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Grant note: NOAA Cooperative Institute Program: NA22NWS4320003
This research was supported by the Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology (CIROH) with funding under award NA22NWS4320003 from the NOAA Cooperative Institute Program. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of NOAA.
Language: English
Date published: 09/2026
Academic Unit: Civil and Environmental Engineering; IIHR--Hydroscience and Engineering; Injury Prevention Research Center; Chemistry
Record Identifier: 9985176650902771

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