Using GIS for 3D visualisation may also help solving clashes that often occur when different engineering fields work together on a large-scale project. Changes in design can be made before the problem manifests itself on site. A further development of this application could be for use in simulators for training drivers, similar to simulators already in use for planes and ships, something that could turn out to be especially helpful for emergency vehicle drivers when they are still new to an area. In all the mentioned applications GIS is a tool for visualising and analysing data. Looking at future prospects, the potential range of such applications, combined with 3D visualisation, is virtually unlimited.
Route planners are very useful tools in general, but they have limitations.
Data that is used in route-planning systems must be extremely accurate. Even though the road network may look fine on screen, it may contain false information that will divert the route from where it should go, such as sending a vehicle the wrong way down a one-way street or using a route that is closed to the public. Thus, a GIS for route planning will have to contain a large volume of attribute data, depending on the specific application needs. All this has to be updated continuously. This again means cost for the end user.