Design and Validation of a Mobile Application for Construction and Demolition Waste Traceability

Abstract

Many studies have developed technologies intended to automate the process toward improving sustainability and achieving a circular economy in the construction industry. Despite some research works that have been recently conducted to help construction agents in the management of construction and demolition waste (CDW), developing new CDW monitoring and traceability tools—through a collaborative and integrative approach—is still an urgent challenge. This paper developed a hybrid mobile app for the real-time traceability of construction waste generation and management, where agents involved in CDW management can work together and trace the generation and management of waste. For this, a research method was developed following three stages: (1) planning and design, including identification of the information to be incorporated in the app and the output data; (2) development of the app; and (3) app testing by several construction agents, stressing the benefits and limitations. The developed app allows not only estimating but also tracing the amount of CDW generated in a construction project, ensuring the correct management and control of the waste. In addition, it promotes collaborative work, as the agents involved in CDW management, i.e., construction companies, site managers, truck drivers, waste managers, and management plants, can work together and see in real-time the management of the waste.