Real-time construction project progress tracking: A hybrid model for wireless technologies selection, assessment, and implementation

A construction project is considered as a process that involves many activities and a large amount of information of various types that are related to each other. Successful project management requires controlling all aspects of a construction project: quality and quantity of work, costs, and schedules to guarantee the success of the project. So the construction project control aims to effectively obtain real-time information of activities taking place on the site. Meanwhile, paper-based documents of project management used are becoming ineffective and can’t get quick responses to the office and project control center. Integrating promising information technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID), mobile computing devices, and wireless technology can be extremely useful for improving the effectiveness and convenience of information flow in construction projects. The probable benefits are potentially enormous, but the barriers associated with technology adoption within the construction industry, currently outweigh this potential. This research develops a control system for construction projects. The main objectives of this research include (1) developing a framework for real time construction project tracking; (2) applying such a system that integrates RFID technology with mobile computing and wireless technology to increase the efficiency of jobsite communication and data collection; (3) designing a database system for construction activities and updates, providing real-time information and wireless communication between offices and sites, subcontractors and suppliers; (4) developing a hybrid model for wireless technologies selection, assessment and implementation; (5) applying the model on pre-engineered steel construction projects and performing life cycle cost and cost benefit analysis. This model will greatly increase productivity and efficiency, will reduce labor hours and time required for tracking.