Trevor Vick Publishes Persistent Infrastructure Identity (PIID) Framework

New digital identity layer aims to establish continuity for physical infrastructure assets across their lifecycle

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Trevor Vick, founder of UMIP Inc., has published the Persistent Infrastructure Identity (PIID) framework, introducing a new model for assigning globally unique, persistent digital identifiers to physical infrastructure assets such as buildings, transportation systems, utilities, and industrial facilities. The PIID framework is designed to enable infrastructure assets to maintain a continuous digital identity across decades of operation, ownership transitions, and evolving technology systems.

Why it matters

Modern infrastructure systems generate vast amounts of data, but the assets themselves often lack a persistent identity capable of linking those records across their lifecycle. The absence of persistent identity frameworks can result in fragmented records, duplicated data creation, and reduced visibility into long-term asset performance as infrastructure assets transition through multiple owners, regulatory environments, and technology platforms over their 50- to 100-year lifespans.

The details

The PIID framework proposes a foundational identity layer for the built environment, enabling infrastructure assets to maintain a continuous digital identity. It introduces the concept of assigning a globally unique and persistent identifier to physical infrastructure assets, allowing lifecycle continuity across design, construction, operational, and risk management systems. The framework also outlines an Infrastructure Identity Registry to issue persistent identifiers and maintain asset lifecycle continuity, as well as an Infrastructure Identity Stack that positions persistent identity as a foundational layer connecting physical assets to application systems and infrastructure intelligence platforms.

  • The Persistent Infrastructure Identity White Paper was published on March 8, 2026.

The players

Trevor Vick

The founder of UMIP Inc. and author of the Persistent Infrastructure Identity (PIID) framework.

UMIP Inc.

A technology company focused on developing infrastructure identity and lifecycle continuity systems for the built environment.

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What they’re saying

“Modern infrastructure systems generate vast amounts of data across the lifecycle of an asset. However, the assets themselves typically lack a persistent identity capable of linking those records across decades of development and operation. The PIID framework introduces a foundational identity layer designed to maintain continuity for infrastructure assets throughout their lifecycle.”

— Trevor Vick, Author of the Persistent Infrastructure Identity framework and founder of UMIP Inc. (Globe Newswire)

What’s next

The PIID framework outlines the conceptual architecture and governance considerations required to implement persistent identity systems for infrastructure assets. The next steps will involve further development and pilot testing of the PIID framework with infrastructure owners and operators.

The takeaway

The PIID framework introduces a new approach to establishing a persistent digital identity for physical infrastructure assets, addressing the challenge of fragmented records and limited visibility into long-term asset performance as infrastructure transitions through multiple owners, regulations, and technology platforms over its lifetime. By providing a foundational identity layer for the built environment, the PIID framework aims to enable greater continuity and intelligence across infrastructure systems.