Why video telematics the next step in tackling driver distraction
The Australian construction sector is rapidly adopting tech, with civil contractors jumping at the opportunity to increase productivity, reduce uncertainty and address labour shortages. The best part? The technology has already been proven in the transport and distribution sector, allowing the industry to shortcut the adoption cycle.
Here are five ways the civil construction sector is integrating tech to solve challenges and simplify jobsite processes in 2023.
1. Improved traffic management
For traffic management on large and complex jobsites, companies are using GPS telematics and fleet management portal to obtain visibility across inbound and outbound trucks. From the same platform, site managers can track when a truck arrives on site, provide the necessary site inductions, and ensure drivers have had the required rest breaks, while also having the right information around what the truck is carrying and the site manager knows what the truck is carrying and how much it weighs.
Sites are geofenced so that as that truck pulls up on site, the driver can receive automated messages telling them which gate to use and where to offload – these can be updated at any time – or someone from the office can direct them specifically to which gate they need to be at. At the same time, the crane driver is alerted and can be ready to unload as soon as the truck arrives.
And leaving the site is just as streamlined. You can see the spoil weight via the same portal. Another automated message tells drivers to use specific routes off-site, keeping heavy vehicles off some roads and reducing issues with authorities around noise, and safety. Most importantly, it reduces traffic and disruption with the community.
Better traffic management is better for neighbours around jobsites too. Complaints can be addressed in real-time because you can easily identify which truck the complaint is about, and address any issues immediately, thereby improving relationships with the community in which you’re working.
2. Tech transformation of jobsites
We’re seeing a trend of companies taking advantage of tech to improve site management, particularly in large infrastructure projects with many moving parts. Just like an air traffic controller, you can maintain visibility of vehicles on your site and then hand them over to another controller when they leave.
On a large complex site, you need to know what’s on order and who’s responsible for it. Take a bridge construction project – through the combination of BIM (Building Information Modelling) and inventory management software, you can see all the components required, the order status and delivery status of each component, what’s on-site, what has been installed, what is needed next and when it is due.
The ability to look at a whole project and its materials to see what requires chasing up or where you need to alter quantities is ideal for budgeting on large projects. A simple coloured graphic on the screen identifies progress: green is complete, amber means under construction, and red signifies outstanding items. With one click, the project manager can see who is responsible and follow up as required.
Connecting the required number of pre-cast concrete pillars with construction progress data allows you to minimise hold-ups.
3. We’ve got an app for that!
Another technology we’re seeing more of is apps to book deliveries. Much like booking apps for hotel stays, delivery apps allow a supplier of reinforcing steel or pre-cast concrete to select the site, date, time, and duration on the app.
The site manager sees and approves the booking. The driver knows where to go and that they’re expected, and the site manager knows when to expect the delivery and can direct workflow appropriately.
4. Integrating technology to satisfy client demands
As local, state, and federal governments continue to invest in infrastructure, updates on new projects are essential for clients who want to drive efficiency by understanding in detail what is happening on projects. Technology is increasingly being used to meet this demand. Contractors are using drones to gauge volumes for surveying, data from machine control and telematics data around vehicle location to satisfy clients that sites are being managed safely and appropriately.
Clients want to know if a truck has been inspected, who the driver is, whether they have the required qualifications and certification and if they are close to fatigue limits. Increasingly, the challenge is in managing these huge volumes of data. With this comes the need to aggregate data to enable insight into how projects are running and to update the team at weekly meetings to keep on track.
For projects in complex environments, such as the inner city, project managers may need GPS data from buses and parking meters. By tracking this data over time, you can build a profile of traffic flows and parking use to understand the project's impact on local businesses and communities.
5. Electric dreams
We’re anticipating an increase in the use of electric vehicles on sites; there are already signs of many more electric trucks and machines for large construction entering the market.
The diesel-powered generator on-site may become a thing of the past, replaced by solar-powered charging for equipment.
Accelerating adoption
Technology adoption will accelerate as emerging solutions from small companies with innovative ideas come to market.
These companies are creating smart tech like weighbridge integration to address niche parts of the industry. You’ll be able to see which axle is overweight on screen and ensure trucks aren’t leaving the site under or overweight. This payload data will soon become available earlier in the chain – at the excavator – so vehicles won’t even get as far as the site weighbridge before the load is checked and adjusted.
Overall, the industry wants nimble applications that are faster and can handle more data, more app-based solutions and less hardware. We will see more data integration into the costing and managing of projects through improved analytics.