Towards linking islands of information within construction projects utilizing RF technologies

Abstract

Modern construction management require real-time and accurate information for sharing among all the parties involved to undertake efficient and effective planning as well as execution of the projects. Research projects conducted during the last decade have concluded that information management is a critical factor in construction project performance and plays an essential role in managing the construction where projects need to be completed within a defined budget and deadline. Recently, wireless sensor technologies have matured and become both technically and economically feasible and viable. This research investigates a framework for integrating the latest innovations in Radio Frequencies (RF) based information management system to automate the task of collecting and sharing of detailed and accurate information in an effective way throughout the actual construction projects. The solution presented here is intended to extend the use of a cost-effective and easy-to-implement system (Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Global Positioning System (GPS), and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)) to facilitate low-cost and network-free solutions for obtaining real-time information and information sharing among the involved participants of the ongoing construction projects such as owner, consultant, and contractor. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.