Systematic camera placement framework for operation-level visual monitoring on construction jobsites

This paper proposes a camera placement framework that incorporates characteristics of complex construction jobsites. The proposed framework consists of three main processes: (1) identification of visual monitoring determinants, influencing factors, and camera placement conditions; (2) problem definition and mathematical modeling; and (3) hybrid simulation-optimization of camera placement on construction jobsites. To evaluate the performance of the proposed framework, a case study for an actual construction jobsite was performed. The results of the case study show the potential of the proposed framework to find the optimal number, types, locations, and orientations of cameras for jobsite visual monitoring. This research makes three main contributions: (1) identification of critical elements to be considered when installing fixed cameras on complex construction jobsites; (2) development of a systematic framework for camera placement on jobsites; and (3) visualization and quantification of multiple camera network designs and their performance (i.e., total costs and visible coverages) before installing cameras at actual jobsites.