A Framework of RFID and GPS for Tracking Construction Site Dynamics

Abstract

Construction site is rugged, dynamic, and complex, involving large number of resources that intensively interact with each other with varying site activities. Being able to precisely locate, and track the site dynamics is critical to project management. Studies have explored the potential of the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology in estimating the two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) locations of construction site objects at discrete time points. Information systems based on the RFID technology have emerged to assist decision-making in construction project management tasks. However, for the purpose of tracking the construction site dynamics, both capabilities of estimating the 2D and 3D locations of site objects at discrete time points and tracking the real-time movement of site objects must be incorporated in the tracking system, leading to a four-dimensional (4D) system. This paper presents the framework of a 4D tracking system to continuously track the 4D status of construction site dynamics. The framework consists of RFID, global positioning system (GPS) wireless sensor network and geographical information system (GIS). A prototype system was implemented based on the 4D framework and tested in a field experiment to verify the system implementation.

Automated Data Acquisition in Construction with Remote Sensing Technologies

“…More specifically, methods that integrate various RS technologies are investigated. For instance, the integration of the radio frequency identification (RFID) technology with GPS-based technologies are reviewed to enhance outdoor tracking of resources [12,13]. Data fusion of imaging technologies (e.g., laser scanning and photogrammetry) with technologies such as RFID, UWB, and GPS have also been investigated recently [14,15].…”

“…The readers transfer the data to a central server via a communication network in which the server filters the data using a boundary condition-based algorithm to estimate the continuous and real-time 3D locations of tagged objects. In fact, boundary constraints were introduced to facilitate RFID-based localization applications to overcome the challenge associated with unknown tag-reader distance [12,13]. In another experiment [2], researchers tried to improve this approach by integrating the RFID sensors with a real time kinematic (RTK) GPS device.…”

Grand Challenges in Simulation for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Facility Management Industries

“…Collecting reliable and accurate data from a highly dynamic environment such as a construction jobsite is almost impossible using traditional (manual) methods. Thanks to the latest technology advancements, several automated data collection and processing techniques have recently been introduced and used by researchers within the AEC/FM domain, including global positioning systems (GPS), radio frequency identification (RFID), ultra wide-band (UWB), and 3D laser scanners that assist in tracking objects (e.g., equipment, material, personnel), detecting unsafe work zones, or measuring productivity (Oloufa et al 2003;Caldas et al 2006;Song et al 2006;Ergen et al 2007;Jang and Skibniewski 2007;Teizer et al 2008;Behzadan et al 2008;Grau and Caldas 2009;Khoury and Kamat 2009;Brilakis et al 2011;Andoh et al 2012;Han et al 2012). While an autonomous data collection system provides higher reliability and accuracy, it should also be able to process and use the collected data in (near) real time, thereby facilitating short-term decision making, planning, and control.…”

Automatic Object Recognition and Registration of Dynamic Construction Equipment from a 3D Point Cloud

“…Global Positioning System (GPS) and webbased technologies were implemented to track vehicles and detect collision at outdoor environments (Navon & Shpatnitsky, 2005). There are also some attempts to combine RFID with GPS technology, and transfer data between detectors and receivers (Andoh, Su & Cai, 2012). However, GPS has drawbacks such that it works ineffectively without direct line of sight from the satellites, and it is expensive to install on every moving object, or parts of equipment.…”