Nipesh Pradhananga

Automated Collection, Identification, Localization, and Analysis of Worker-Related Proximity Hazard Events in Heavy Construction Equipment Operation

The construction industry measures worker safety performance through lagging indicators such as counting numbers of illnesses, injuries, and fatalities. Active leading indicators, such as capturing hazardous proximity situations between ground workers and heavy construction equipment, provide an additional metric for construction site personnel safety performance without incurring worker accidents. This article presents an algorithm for recording, identifying, and analyzing interactive hazardous proximity situations between ground workers and heavy construction equipment. Spatialtemporal GPS data of ground worker and heavy equipment movements are analyzed to automatically measure the frequency and duration of identified hazardous proximity situations. Individual periodic ground worker and equipment operator safety performance with regards to exposure to hazardous proximity situations is reported in detail. The results are integrated with previous research on blind spots and other safety deficiencies of the equipment. By measuring and analyzing leading indicator data of ground workers and heavy equipment, safety managers can identify hazardous situations that may otherwise lead to incidents. Knowledge generated about hazardous proximity issues are disseminated to construction personnel through enhanced safety training and education. Mitigation measures can also be taken for safer construction equipment operation.

Passive RFID and BIM for Real-Time Visualization and Location Tracking

Finding the current location of a specific utility or oneself in an unfamiliar facility can be difficult and time consuming. The ability to visualize the location in real-time can reduce the time for manual searching and locating. The proposed research is to utilize commercially available RFID technology for real-time visualization and location tracking in a BIM model. The scope is the use of passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tracking technology and Building Information Modeling (BIM). A novel approach is presented that utilizes current localization techniques and algorithms. A prototype application has been developed that connects the RFID readers with a BIM model and database. Preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility of locating a user inside buildings in real-time. Significantly, the visualization will enable the user to pinpoint themselves and a utility in a model, saving time and money.

Real-Time Resource Location Tracking in Building Information Models (BIM)

The purposes of this research are to develop and evaluate a framework that utilizes the integration of commercially-available Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and a BIM model for real-time resource location tracking within an indoor environment. A focus of this paper is to introduce the framework and explain why building models currently lack the integration of sensor data. The need will be explained with potential applications in construction and facility management. Algorithms to process RFID signals and integrate the generated information in BIM will be presented. Furthermore, to demonstrate the benefits of location tracking technology and its integration in BIM, the paper provides a preliminary demonstration on tracking valuable assets inside buildings in real-time. The preliminary results provided the feasibility of integrating passive RFID with BIM for indoor settings.

Congestion Analysis for Construction Site Layout Planning using Real-Time Data and Cell-Based Simulation Model

Simulation models are typically developed for construction operations to maximize output of resources and minimize operational cost. Traditional simulation methods deal with development of activity cycle diagrams based on key activities in construction operations. These methods do not consider spatial constraints at the site directly. As a result, spatial conflicts occur and desired output level is not achieved. Congestion analysis in construction site layout planning depends upon such spatial constraints and movement of resources inside the site. This research implements a cell-based simulation model with spatial consideration for construction site layout planning. The objective of this research is to incorporate congestion analysis into simulation process to improve construction site layout plan. A case study is done involving cyclic earthmoving operation. Location data from moving equipment is collected using Global Positioning System for accurate spatial reference. Real data from site is fed into simulation model for realistic representation of the operation. A cell-based continuous simulation model is developed for visualizing congestion. A new method of quantifying congestion is proposed. This method will help decision makers in developing site layout plan based on movement of resources. Potential of congestion can be determined before implementing a layout onto the site. It will aid in comparing alternative site layout plans and provide insight on consequences of varying the number of resources on site congestion. It will also serve as a training and educational tool for construction managers.

Spatio-Temporal Safety Analysis of Construction Site Operations using GPS Data

Recording the continuous location of equipment and workers with Global Positioning System (GPS) units can contribute in the analysis of how safely a construction site operates. Automated data gathering and analysis for safety become even more valuable when reliable methods exist that record and report events that otherwise would not be recorded because they are labor intensive in observation or prone to human error in judgment. This paper presents a new safety approach that features automated analysis of continuously collected proximity data between construction workers, heavy construction equipment, and hazardous construction spaces in outdoor construction environment. We recorded field data using small GPS units that were mounted on construction helmets or attached to construction equipment. This paper first evaluates the performance of the technology that was used to gather continuous location data to construction resources (workers and equipment). It then explains how the generated spatio-temporal information can be communicated to decision makers so it improves the safety performance of workers near equipment or other hazards. The results that are presented include a case study to outdoor construction environment. It demonstrates how potential users can measure the safety performance of construction resources (workers, equipment) automatically and use the generated information as new knowledge in safety training and education.

Hazardous Proximity Zone Design for Heavy Construction Excavation Equipment

AbstractThe construction industry continues to be among the leading industries for workplace fatalities in the United States. After experiencing 824 fatal injuries in 2013, the construction industry ranks as one of the most dangerous work environments when compared with other private industrial sectors in the United States. Conditions of construction sites often produce hazardous proximity situations by requiring pedestrian workers and heavy equipment to operate at close proximity. Injury and fatality statistics indicate that current safety practices of construction workers have proven inadequate. The research aims to design hazard zone around pieces of heavy construction equipment in which site personnel should not enter during construction operations. The scope is limited to construction sites and equipment at a horizontal grade and hazards between heavy construction excavation equipment and workers-on-foot. A framework for creating the hazard zone around a piece of construction equipment is presented i...

Global Positioning System Data to Model and Visualize Workspace Density in Construction Safety Planning

Safety as well as productivity performance in construction is often poor due to congested site conditions. We lack a formalized approach in effective activity-level construction planning to avoid workspace congestion. The objective of this study is to investigate and prototype a new Building Information Modeling (BIM) enabled approach for activity-level construction planning that can proactively improve construction safety. The presented method establishes automated workspace visualization in a building information model, using workspace modeling as an integral part of construction safety planning. Algorithms were developed for extracting activity-specific workspace parameters from workforce location tracking data. Global Positioning System (GPS) data loggers were attached to the workers’ hardhats during the stripping activities of formwork of columns. Workspaces were then visualized on a BIM platform. The developed method can support project stakeholders, such as engineers, planners, construction managers, and site workers with the identification and visualization of required and congested workspaces, hence improving the foundation on how decisions are made related to construction site safety and health, as well as its potential impact on a productive, unobstructed work

Automated Evaluation of Proximity Hazards Caused by Workers Interacting with Equipment

Previous research and applications in construction resource optimization have focused on tracking the location of material and equipment. There is a lack of studies on automated monitoring of the interaction between workers and equipment for safety purposes. This paper presents a new approach for measuring the safety performance of construction personnel particularly when they work in very close proximity to moving equipment as well as static hazards such as chemical and flammable substances. A method of generating hazardous zones according to the geometric and kinematic characteristics of the considered hazard is introduced. The spatio-temporal relationships between the hazardous zones and workers’ positioning data collected by real-time location sensing technology are automatically analyzed. This approach has been validated in a controlled test bed environment that simulates a construction site. Results indicate that worker’s safety performance of selected activities can be automatically and reliably measured using the developed approach. Furthermore, a heat map is generated for visualizing proximity related issues in the test bed using the computed results.

GPS-based framework towards more realistic and real-time construction equipment operation simulation

This paper presents an automated GPS-based method for assessing construction equipment operations productivity. The literature revealed several shortcomings in simulation of construction equipment, for example, the availability of realistic data that supports a simulation framework, and identified the need for integrating real-time field data into simulations. Commercially available GPS-based data logging technology was then evaluated. Analysis methods and rules for monitoring productivity were also discussed. A software interface was created that allowed to analyze and visualize several important parameters towards creating more realistic simulation models. The experimental results showed a productivity assessment method by collecting spatio-temporal data using GPS data logging technology, applied to construction equipment operations, and finally identified and tracked productivity and safety based information for job site layout decision making. This research aids construction project managers in decision making for planning work tasks, hazard identification, and worker training by providing realistic and real-time project equipment operation information.

Development of a Cell-based Simulation Model for Earthmoving Operation using Real-time Location Data

Simulation is a proven technique for effective construction site layout planning and resource optimization. Historical data is used as input for task durations in traditional simulation approaches. This data is fed into activity cycle diagrams which do not consider spatial constraints. Cell-based simulation with real-time location data can be implemented for more realistic modeling and incorporating spatial changes on the site during project execution. Despite the potential, very little research has been done towards it. The objective of this research is to develop a framework of utilizing real-time data for spatial simulation of cyclic activities on a construction site. Continuous data was collected using Global Positioning System and cell-based simulation model was developed for spatial consideration of earthmoving cycles. The potential of analyzing and visualizing the effects of varying resource combinations on productivity and traffic congestion on site were explored. The approach will aid in increasing insight and awareness for decision making in resource management, site layout and internal traffic control plan. It will also serve as an education and training tool for project managers.