This paper presents the development of a radiofrequency identification (RFID)–based real-time locating system (RTLS) for safety management. The particular focus of this paper is the creation of the RTLS, which provides accurate and robust localization performance in construction sites where it is otherwise very difficult to maintain signal availability because of many (moving) obstacles. Adopted were the Time of arrival method as a localization method, the Chirp spread spectrum as a wireless networking technology, and the Assistant Tag as a way to maintain enough signal availability for effective communication. In addition, the developed RTLS uses RFID to retain the latter’s benefits (e.g., data storage, transfer capability, relatively inexpensive installation cost). To demonstrate the RTLS’s localization performance, two case studies have been conducted; the results show great potential for use in improving construction site safety management.

Accelerating a project can be rewarding. The consequences, however, can be troublesome if productivity and quality are sacrificed for the sake of remaining ahead of schedule, such that the actual schedule benefits are often barely worth the effort. The tradeoffs and paths of schedule pressure—and its causes and effects—are often overlooked when schedule decisions are being made. This paper analyzes the effects that schedule pressure has on construction performance, and focuses on tradeoffs in scheduling. A research framework has been developed using a causal diagram to illustrate the cause-and-effect analysis of schedule pressure. An empirical investigation has been performed by using survey data collected from 102 construction practitioners working in 38 construction sites in Singapore. The results of this survey data analysis indicate that advantages of increasing the pace of work—by working under schedule pressure—can be offset by losses in productivity and quality. The negative effects of schedule pre...

Although the modular construction method is safer than traditional onsite construction methods, accidents still occur; therefore, modular projects have characteristic safety risks. This study investigated accident cases related to modular construction and identified the safety risk factors. The study evaluated accident cases related to modular construction that occurred in the United States from 2000 to 2018 and analyzed safety risk factors, such as the types and causes of accidents in these cases. In the process of analysis, the causal map was developed and it was used to identify the causes of accidents. The results of the analyses showed the major accident causes and types that occurred in these activities. Second, this study conducted a comparative analysis to identify differences between accidents in modular and general constructions. Furthermore, suggestions are proposed to prevent safety accidents and to develop management schemes based on the analyzed outcomes. This study contributes to the body of knowledge as a basic modular construction safety management study; it presents safety risk factors by identifying safety accidents in modular construction projects and helps safety managers frame appropriate measures when making decisions. Graphical abstract

A significant number of large-scale civil infrastructure projects experience cost overruns and schedule delays. To minimize these disastrous consequences, management actions need to be carefully examined at both the strategic and operational levels, as their effectiveness is mainly dependent on how well strategic perspectives and operational details of a project are balanced. However, current construction project management approaches have treated the strategic and operational issues separately, and consequently introduced a potential conflict between strategic and operational analyses. To address this issue, a hybrid simulation model is presented in this paper. This hybrid model combines system dynamics and discrete event simulation which have mainly been utilized to analyze the strategic and operational issues in isolation, respectively. As an application example, a nontypical repetitive earthmoving process is selected and simulated. The simulation results demonstrate that a systematic integration of st...

Research in construction innovation highlights construction industry as having many barriers and resistance to innovations and suggests that it needs champions. A hierarchical structural model is presented, to assess the impact of the role of the project manager (PM) on the levels of innovation and project performance. The model adopts the structural equation modelling technique and uses the survey data collected from PMs and project team members working for general contractors in Singapore. The model fits well to the observed data, accounting for 24%, 37% and 49% of the variance in championing behaviour, the level of innovation and project performance, respectively. The results of this study show the importance of the championing role of PMs in construction innovation. However, in order to increase their effectiveness, such a role should be complemented by their competency and professionalism, tactical use of influence tactics, and decision authority. Moreover, senior management should provide adequate resources and a sustained support to innovation and create a conducive environment or organizational culture that nurtures and facilitates the PM's role in the construction project as a champion of innovation.