How Drone Data Capture and a Visual Intelligence Platform Offer Unparalleled Insight into Capital Project Delivery

Achieving true sustainability in the conceptualization of new building projects requires radical change compared to traditional green-field projects; circular building principles in a circular economy must become a fundamental part of the process. These principles include product recovery management, life cycle assessment (LCA), design for disassembly sequence planning, adaptability, deconstruction, closed materials loops and dematerialization. These principles recognize the importance of the End-of-Life stage in existing buildings, including adaptive reuse as an attractive alternative in a circular economy. However, the early phases of capital project delivery lack well-developed methods to: (1) decide amongst green-field construction versus adaptive reuse, (2) pre-project planning for closed-loop cycle construction and (3) plan for the optimization of the benefits of adaptive reuse. In this article, we argue that the early capital projects delivery phases for a circular economy should have distinct stages, decision gates and more appropriate planning methods, such as selective disassembly, LCA monetization protocols and optimization methods. An investigation of related studies underpins the capital project planning framework proposed and the research that must still be accomplished to enable a more circular economy in the capital projects sector.

Supply chain management (SCM) is increasingly getting attention from companies involved in the delivery of capital projects, but some companies have strategically been pursuing SCM for many years already. Recognizing the different levels of SC maturity among engineering and construction firms, we intend with this paper to pique interest in SCM for those who are not yet practicing it. This paper describes a multitude of supply-chain tactics that one supplier organization has implemented. The company described in this case study designs, fabricates, and erects pre-engineered metal buildings and components. The company also has subsidiaries that manufacture other building products. Recognizing the value of SCM, competitors in this sector of the engineering and construction industry as well as companies in other sectors may want to assess under what circumstances these SC tactics apply to their business, and then rethink their business opportunities and corresponding SC strategy.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the challenges faced with mobile information communication technology (M-ICT), more specifically tablet software, in the construction phase of UK infrastructure projects. Quality assurance in the context of passive fire protection is scrutinised, where M-ICT use is prevalent, to provide an industry perspective.Design/methodology/approachThe research design is founded on exploratory multiple case study approach. Specific themes are developed, based on a critical review of previous ICT studies. The themes identified are used to inform a qualitative interview protocol for investigating three large UK infrastructure projects. Each project is at different stages in the construction phase, with varying examples of M-ICT implementation in use. Participants are interviewed regarding their experiences of the implementation of M-ICT on each project.FindingsFindings identify diverse experiences across each project. Single and multiple M-ICT platforms are currently being used, with individual stakeholders using ICT in isolation, and in some instances, multiple project stakeholders are using it together. Complete replacement of paper-based processes is evident in one case study, but more commonly, digital technology is being used in parallel to traditional paper-based processes. The challenges, although varied across each case study, can be categorised under the themes of Technology (IT support, ICT infrastructure, IT security, contractual, software), People (social aspects, user competency, safety), Technical Compliance (technical compliance evidence) and Process (conventional processes).Originality/valueIt is recommended that each theme be reviewed at project commencement, with all key stakeholders, to ensure key aspects are considered prior to M-ICT deployment. This will ensure avoidance of challenges reported and maximise the opportunities that are available through M-ICT in a multi-stakeholder infrastructure project.

The relationship between integrated project delivery (IPD) and information and communication technology (ICT) in the context of public sector construction in the United States is critically examined in this paper. While IPD is gaining significant attention lately from educators and researchers alike, the current body of knowledge lacks information about how project owners—the key stakeholders in construction who decide on the type of project delivery system—perceive IPD. In addition, there has been little to no research investigating the relationship between IPD and ICT, taking the degree (extent) of use and type of ICT (internal versus external) into consideration. This study attempts to fill these research gaps. Using 59 survey data points collected from various public sector owners in the United States, this study investigates two research questions: (1) the perception of IPD characteristics on project delivery effectiveness, and (2) the perception that ICT fosters IPD. The perception regarding...

As technology advances so does its adoption in industry and our everyday lives. We use technology to better our daily tasks whether at home or in the workplace. In the workplace there are many benefits of implementing new technologies to improve processes and products while at the same time being cautious about associated costs. Costs associated with incorporating new digital technologies include but are not limited to hardware and software, system integration, testing, and employee training. Now that we have entered the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, there are many opportunities for improvements in manufacturing that involve Smart Digital Technologies. Quality Inspection (QI) is a common process in the manufacturing industry. This process serves to identify and locate defects based on preassigned product features. It can be used to find defect causes during the manufacturing process. QI is an established process that is often conducted manually. However, with the opportunity afforded by core Industry 4.0 technologies like Machine Learning (ML), the QI process is increasingly automated. A literature review on the topic of Image Based QI shows that today the designs of fixed single camera based QI systems inspect only one side of a product. In case multiple sides of a product need to be inspected, more datapoints are acquired via either multiple cameras or moving the camera system which affects the length of process, task complexity, cost, and data storage. This thesis explores the application of a mirror system in the design of a QI station to overcome this current limitation and potentially lower the number of processing tasks and increase the inspection ability of one automated station. The images acquired for the QI experiment present a simultaneous, multi-side (five sides) view of a product with similar accuracy. The experiment is set up with three major parts: 1) a physical setup of a mirror-enhanced camera system for part QI; 2) a set of test parts with two types of simulated common surface defects (additional material and scratches) to create the data set for analysis, and 3) a Python-based ML model to analyze the data set and evaluate the system’s ability to correctly identify errors on multiple sides of the specimens. The results show that the setup successfully identified the majority of surface errors on all sides of the part with an accuracy of at least 85% when applying an Artificial Neural Network based supervised ML classification approach. This

The use of drone technology in capital projects is an emerging area that holds promise for growth. Drones are becoming more widely available, and regulatory bodies are gradually allowing their use on a larger scale. With the development of software solutions that can effectively utilize data, drones are increasingly being used throughout the entire lifecycle of capital projects, including smaller infrastructure projects. The benefits of using drones in construction projects are numerous and include providing an unparalleled record of all activities, reducing planning and survey costs, increasing productivity, improving the accuracy of volumetric measurements, and mitigating disputes over the project's status. In the future, drone data will be integrated with CAD and BIM models and artificial intelligence (AI) to track construction progress and adherence to design automatically. While the construction industry has been slower in adopting new digital technologies than other sectors, leading global companies have widely adopted drones for capital project monitoring. In Latin America, drone adoption in the infrastructure sector is still limited, but early adopters have validated and are utilizing the technology. This report provides an examination of the current state of drone use in the Latin American region, including the benefits, barriers, early adopters, and what is required to promote its adoption.

Benchmarking is a systematic process of measuring an organization's performance against recognized leaders for the purpose of determining best practices that lead to superior performance. Benchmarking has been widely used by the private sector of the U.S. construction industry to improve their delivery of capital projects. While some studies have investigated the benchmarking of public transportation projects (e.g., highways and bridges), most of these focused solely on operations. This paper examines benchmarking efforts for public transportation projects delivery. Subsequently, this analysis is used to provide a framework of the opportunities and potential challenges inherent to benchmarking transportation projects delivery. This paper contributes to the foundational development of benchmarking standards for public transportation projects.

The delivery of green building projects is often more difficult than that for of non–green building projects, thereby resulting in low project performance. To overcome the difficulties and improve the delivery performance of green building projects, there is a need to explore the perceived relationship between motivation and owner commitment (OC) based on the self-determination theory (SDT) of motivation. However, no previous research has empirically tested this relationship in the context of the performance of green building delivery. Therefore, the current study evaluated this relationship using survey data from 150 project owners of green building projects in the Australian building sector. The data obtained were analyzed using both confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis of eight hypotheses (H1–H8). The SEM results reveal that OC had a direct positive relationship with traditional delivery performance (TDP). Additionally, only the internal motivation (INT) of project owners was found to have a direct positive relationship with sustainability delivery performance (SDP), and this relationship was partially mediated by OC. External motivation (EXT) had no direct positive relationship with OC, TDP, or SDP. The study concludes that OC helps to improve the TDP of green building projects, but the INT of project owners is required to increase their commitment to improving the SDP of green building projects. In addition, the EXT of project owners is not effective in increasing their commitment, and it does not contribute to improving TDP and SDP of green building projects. Theoretically, the application of SDT of motivation helps to contribute to the knowledge of how to improve the delivery performance of green building projects in the field of construction management and engineering. Practically, this study will help project owners to contribute to improving the delivery performance of green building projects. This study also provides the direction that policies for encouraging the development of green building projects and associated practices should take in both Australia and the United States henceforth.

Clean hydrogen has the potential to help achieve 10% economy-wide emissions reductions by 2050 relative to 2005, promote energy security and resilience, and develop a new economy in the United States. In 2030, the hydrogen economy could create about 100,000 new jobs to build new capital projects and clean hydrogen infrastructure. The Wyoming Energy Authority recently announced the state’s energy strategy, which establishes a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Under all likely scenarios, achieving a mid-century net-zero target will pose challenges and create opportunities for Wyoming’s energy sector. If executed properly, the transition could favorably affect the state’s economy overall in the long term.\nThis research program examines the economic impact of fossil energy production in Wyoming and provides various predictions for future energy mixes to achieve net-zero emissions. Preliminary work suggests that Wyoming-based hydrogen production could have significant economic benefits and job creation implications for Wyoming. This study further assesses Wyoming’s opportunities to create hydrogen-based industries, assess economic impacts, identify knowledge gaps and research needs, and create a Hydrogen Center of Excellence to accelerate commercialization and deployment.\nThis project helped to understand Wyoming's areas of focus for research and development and identified its areas of strength and potential challenges in creating a hydrogen ecosystem. As a result of this study, we estimate that for blue hydrogen produced from coal and gas resources, the overall cost reduction will be driven mainly by the carbon-sequestration tax credit and the improvement in carbon capture. Mature technologies, like SMR and PSA, will make limited contributions. They have no or limited reductions from an additional capacity deployment in future costs. We also understand the importance of continued support from public and private sectors for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)-related research, development, and demonstration programs at federal and state levels. The successful and efficient production of blue hydrogen requires a unique blend of energy resources, geology, regulation, law, and infrastructure. Wyoming has the distinction of meeting all these demands.\nThe team also estimates that the availability and command of water resources accessible for hydrogen production are crucial for developing new projects. Water treatment, use, and disposal after treatment will also make projects possible. Primarily, this is relevant for hydrogen made using renewable energy. Wyoming has one of the best wind resource capacity in the nation. Harnessing this resource is challenging due to limited transmission line availability. Hydrogen could become one of the solutions to the stranded resource problem, primarily if the water availability challenge is addressed. Using produced oil & gas water could help to solve the problem.\nA commonly cited barrier to the expansion of hydrogen markets is the cost associated with constructing new pipelines, which typically require large amounts of capital to develop. Wyoming already possesses much of the export infrastructure needed to connect Wyoming’s hydrogen production with major markets across the West Coast, Pacific Northwest, Midwest, and Front Range regions of the United States, where a large portion of Wyoming’s natural gas is already transported. In addition to transportation by pipeline, rail transportation of hydrogen has also proven feasible. Wyoming uses its extensive railway system to transport large amounts of coal to its export partners across the United States. By using cryogenic or compressed-gas cars, Wyoming has the potential to add hydrogen to its existing network of railroad energy exports. The same technology may also be applied to hydrogen transport via trucks traveling interstate highways.\nWyoming’s workforce is ready to meet the demands of clean hydrogen development. Many of the skills and training needed for hydrogen production are the same skills already possessed by Wyoming’s oil & gas and coal workforce. Many government and industry leaders expect clean hydrogen and other low-carbon energy projects to generate significant job growth and to recruit many already-trained oil & gas and coal workers whose jobs may be displaced. As energy companies seek to penetrate the markets for Wyoming hydrogen production, there is a natural mutual benefit to Wyoming’s workers and companies seeking to launch projects with the assistance of a trained workforce. Wyoming’s university and community college system have adopted several programs to ensure that highly qualified engineers and other technically skilled employees continue to graduate with skills to support the development of hydrogen and other innovative energy projects moving forward.\nThroughout the project, stakeholder outreach and education took many forms, including meetings with several major companies in the industry, collaborating with local government organizations, educational organizations, and national laboratories, tribal outreach and engagement, the sponsoring of several hydrogen-focused projects in many departments throughout the University of Wyoming, and developing a collaboration with international universities. The products of these collaborations consist of working relationships with several companies in the industry, educational institutions, national labs, and local government, as well as strong connections with individuals who will play an essential role in the success of the Hydrogen Energy Research Center.

Material-focused circular innovation framework to address the cost and carbon challenge in capital project delivery: A scoping literature review

As a result of the study, the concept of digitalization of a business organization is defined as a set of tools, the process of adding digital technologies to physical space and transferring information into a digital format to improve the efficiency and increase the profit of a business organization. Digitalization is a process and a tool, not the ultimate goal, and it should improve the interaction between people and technology. Digitalization has been classified into two types: process digitalization and product digitalization. Process digitalization is the classic understanding of this term in the context of business processes, and product digitalization is the additions of digital technologies to an existing product to improve it. Any type of digitalization should lead to an increase in the profit of a business organization directly or indirectly because this is one of the most important goals of any business. Digitalization tools have been defined as digital technologies and methods of their implementation in business processes or additions to products. Examples of such tools have been provided. It has been determined that one of the most important tools of digitization is digital data management. Digital data management includes digitization as one of the first stages and may include the use of CRM systems, cloud technologies and artificial intelligence. The use of these tools is possible not only in the context of data management, but as a method of creating a digital infrastructure or making decisions. The advantages of using various digitalization tools have been determined. Digital data management (including CRM systems, cloud technologies and artificial intelligence in this context) gives the ability to store, analyse and use large volumes of data, allows quick and easy access to information, reliability, and confidentiality, ensuring statistics, etc. Also, the use of digitalization tools allows improving interaction with consumers and creating a comfortable and efficient infrastructure both within the company and for consumers. Other digitalization tools have been listed: mobile technologies, ERP systems, automation, robots, IoT platforms, and GPS systems. It has been found that all these tools can be used to digitize the process, and only artificial intelligence GPS, and cloud technologies can be used to digitize the product.

The rapid development of digital technologies and their integration into governance processes has become an irreversible process in modern societies. The effectiveness of the local self-government system significantly depends on its adaptation to modern technologies, which allows municipalities to improve communication with citizens, increase the availability of services and reduce bureaucratic barriers through optimization. This, in turn, led to the concept of e-government. “Communication between the state and society using modern digital technologies” is e-government1 . However, e-government also includes internal communication between the state and business, as well as between state institutions themselves, which is carried out using digital technologies2 . The purpose of the study is to analyze the practice of digital transformation of local self-government in Georgia, assess the main stages of its development, achievements and existing challenges. The Georgian government has taken a number of steps in recent years towards digital governance elements, including within the framework of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) initiative, although technological disparities and digital skills shortages among municipalities remain serious challenges. The effectiveness of technological solutions depends on their users, i.e. the local population, who must be ready to receive and use electronic services. According to research, part of the population in Georgia still trusts traditional, paper-based processes and uses online services less. Keywords: local self-government, e-governance, digital skills, Challenges and analysis.

"Necessity is the mother of invention" it mean human existence depends on essential of their livelihood. Digitalization is to the channel of changing information into a digital area. It involves the adoption and use of digital technologies to transform business processes, activities, and models. Here are key aspects of digitalization. Converting analog information, such as text, images, and sounds, into digital formats that can be processed and stored electronically, and everything its aid of technologies. Utilizing digital technologies such as computers, smart phones, software applications, and networks to automate tasks, improve efficiency, and enable new capabilities. Applying digital technologies essential to innovate business models, streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and create a new path for generating revenue stream. Facilitating instant communication and connectivity through digital channels such as email, messaging apps, social media, and video conferencing and its part of e-mapping of technologies. Managing and analyzing large volumes of data (big data) to derive insights, make informed decisions, and personalize services. Automating repetitive tasks and processes through digital tools and technologies to increase productivity and reduce costs. Implementing dimension to protect digital assets, data, and privacy from cyber threats and unauthorized access. Influencing how individuals interact, communicate, work, learn, and consume information in a digital-first world. Digitalization is not just about adopting technology but also about leveraging it strategically to drive innovation, competitiveness, and growth across various sectors of society and the economy. It is a fundamental aspect of the broader digital transformation sweeping across industries globally. The purpose of this paper is to understand digitalization and its impact on rural India Keywords: Digitalization, E-commerce, and Internet related things.

A 3D target tracking and localization algorithm based on monocular vision configuration is studied to provide high precision positional information for the construction of virtualreal fusion scenes for the needs of complex aerospace products such as auxiliary assembly and quality inspection. The 3D model is rendered in real time using OpenGL, and the corresponding projection view is generated using virtual space imaging technology to extract the edge features of the virtual image; meanwhile, the video of the actual assembly scene is captured in key frames to extract the point, line and contour features of the key frame image; the best viewpoint evaluation function is constructed to recommend the best camera pose for the initial alignment of the model; the contour feature matching method is used to A non-linear optimization algorithm is used to improve the stability of camera pose estimation. The experimental results show that the algorithm can accurately track and locate the 3D target with the accuracy within 0.5mm in the plane position, 10mm in the depth direction, and within 0.5° in the pose accuracy control.

The article considers the features of using digital technologies in organizations of the fuel and energy complex (FEC). The characteristic features and main problems in the production and auxiliary processes of the oil and gas industry are identified. A study and analysis of the use of blockchain technology based on a variety of distributed registry in the fuel and energy sector, in particular for the oil and gas industry. The encryption algorithm used in blockchain technology is considered. The most relevant models for the application of projects based on distributed database subtechnology in production, trade in oil and natural gas, document management, logistics, with an assessment of the effect of digital technologies in the degree of influence on information security have been developed.