The application of mobile web and devices for environmental surveillance on construction sites in Malaysia

Environmental surveillance on construction sites requires environmental information that is concise, to-the-point, timely and usable. However, physical surveillance and traditional environmental monitoring (measurement) are challenging, time consuming, labour-intensive and can involve deficiencies and discrepancies. Technology based surveillance provides an alternative, but with this kind of surveillance it is often difficult to demonstrate a connection between any pollution detected and a specific source in some circumstances. Thus, physical environmental surveillance (observation/walk-through inspection) still remains important but some improvements can be made to it by adopting technology based surveillance. This situation creates an opportunity for deploying an information system which capitalizes on the advantages of the Internet of Things, so that decision makers can obtain an accurate and up-to-date view of their environmental management issues and status. The aim of this research was, therefore, to set out to investigate the potential for a mobile environmental information system as a part of the Internet of Things technologies for environmental surveillance on Malaysian construction sites. Design Science Research (DSR) has been chosen as the philosophical approach and case study as the research method were adopted for this research in order to achieve its objectives. A literature review on construction environmental management and mobile environmental information management was undertaken, followed by engagement with environmental experts in order to obtain detailed information requirements and to identify user needs. These details were analysed and brought about the formulation of the system design goals, along with a conceptual model, which concluded in the development of the functional specification, the system architecture and the prototype development. The prototype system was demonstrated and evaluated interactively by construction environmental management teams, both in the UK and Malaysia. The main achievement of the research comprises the analysis of the needs required in a mobile environmental information system, the development of functional specifications and the demonstration and acceptance of the concept by practising construction environmental management teams. The research concludes that the concept of a mobile environmental information system is feasible, realising that it has greatly improving the task performing process as well as enhancing the flow of communication and reporting environmental surveillance activities on construction sites in nearly real time.