Tomorrow's technology today

SITE 2000 - SED's new exhibition devoted to the future of site technology - had the experts waxing lyrical. They were predicting a transformation of the construction process as take-up of the specialist applications boosts efficiency and drives down costs.

Of course the construction industry has a reputation for conservatism when it comes to adopting new technologies. But visitors to Site 2000 expressed surprise at the sophistication of the kit that was already available.

The message was hammered home through live demonstrations which showed in practical terms the potential of the new technology for saving time, money and manpower.

Solution

"It would appear that many from the industry have been looking for this kind of solution, but have either been unaware that the technology existed, or didn't know where to find it," said Richard Brown of Advanced Computer Equipment (ACE).

Representatives from a number of major contractors were sufficiently impressed with what they saw at SED to request personal demonstrations of the technology after the show.

"For three days we created the sense of working in a future environment, one that will become widespread over the next five years," said David Leevers, manager of the multi media communications group at BICC.

Site 2000 was a high-tech exhibition of the kind of technology that will propel the construction industry into the 21st century.

The main thrust of the initiative was to show how the construction process could work more efficiently by utilising the latest in personal communications, through speedy access to information and by the rapid updating of that information.

Experts warn that such advances will be necessary if the industry is to achieve anything like the radical 30 per cent construction cost savings demanded by the Latham Report.

The Site 2000 initiative was sponsored by Contract Journal in conjunction with the British Airports Authority and two European-funded research initiatives: Collaborative Integrated Communications for Construction (CICC) and Mobile Integrated Communications for Construction (MICC).

These European-funded projects are intended to promote the uptake of mobile communications on construction sites to improve quality, safety and efficiency and thus strengthen the competitiveness of the European construction sector.

The full potential of the new technology was made clear to visitors to Site 2000 through links to two real life sites where the leading edge technology could be seen in action.

groundbreaking

The technology under development by CICC is being used by Bovis at the groundbreaking œ50 million Bluewater Park retail development at Dartford. It is also helping BAA to achieve world-class management control, flexibility and cost-efficiency at the œ400 million Heathrow-Express Link, Terminal 5 and various retail projects.

Part of the Site 2000 exhibition was set up to resemble the actual Heathrow site office with the various systems in operation. The displays included a collaborative exhibit from Laing, Tarmac, Mott McDonald, PBV and Ove Arup in conjunction with Exitech Computers.

"The general reaction from visitors was, "if they are doing this in other sectors, why aren't we benefiting from this technology in construction", said Simon Soper, who is associated with both the CICC and MICC projects as well as being communications consultant to BICC.

"Generating these benefits from IT is no longer a technical problem, it is a commercial problem. All the technology is now available - or will soon be available - to provide everything we are promoting here at SED. It is now just a question of pulling it all together. At the show we are frequently being asked "where do we go from here". It is very encouraging.

exhibits

Exhibits at the show included:

lelectronic drawing management systems which give instant access to all design information;

l3-D modelling which offers a "virtual reality" method of briefing not only the client but also, crucially, the trade and specialist contractors;

lcomputerised systems for handling variations and spec alterations so that their cost and technical implications are swiftly apparent;

lportable computers that record site information and transfer it back immediately to the site office or head office. These include types of computer that can be worn and are voice activated;

lvideo conferencing facilities that allow members of the construction team to communicate effectively without having to gather together in one place;

linterpersonal communications systems that will make the old walkie-talkie obsolete;

la prefabricated site communications cabin that will make the most efficient communications technology available to everyone on site, not just the principal contractors and his larger trade contractors.

But Soper believes that the drive to adopt the new technology will only succeed if industry leaders take the message on board. "It will only work if clients or main contractors force everyone working on a project to co-operate. We need the construction sector to really starting thinking about it," he says.

messaging

Among the visible innovations on show were full voice and messaging service systems attached to a hard hat. Portable computers and display systems which enable data to be taken wherever it is needed on site caused quite a stir. These systems can deliver data via wrist-mounted displays or though voice activated, head-up displays, which again can be mounted on a hard hat.

Using such hardware new processes will enable on-site data to be collected electronically, with computer systems used to monitor and control plant. Both live video and video stills will be used for remote inspection by experts.

drawing

On the electronic drawing management side, site teams will have fast access to the latest version of drawings without the need for a complete managed set of paper drawings in the site office. They will also have the ability to run search queries, zoom in and out, blow up specific details, de-layer services and then print out the information for staff and operatives.

A proportion of the computing equipment on display at Site 2000 was originally developed for the military and has been in operation for more than five years. As such it is well proven and rugged and could be used on site today. "You could drive a tank over this equipment," joked Richard Brown of ACE.

He believes that the construction sector is a prime candidate for taking up this technology. "If you are in a situation where you want to take data where you need it, but traditional means are unsuitable, then this technology is for you."

It costs around œ7,000 to kit out one man with a mobile computer and communications equipment, yet Brown does not see cost as a barrier to the take-up of this technology.

"If you have a problem on site what do you do? Send in experts to sort things out while you continue to fall further behind schedule? Alternatively you could set up a video conference of experts with access to data directly from site. When you consider the costs involved in flying a team of experts around the world, the ability to trouble shoot via video conferencing becomes an attractive option."

By offering the option of de-skilling the on-site presence, he also argues that better use can be made of centralised, in-house expertise.

The next step in the CICC/MICC programme for developing and promoting the new technology will be a series of site trails held in the UK and Europe during this year and the next.

Meanwhile, those exhibitors who have been asked to provide private demonstrations to contractors' senior management will be putting together presentations tailored precisely to the needs of the construction sector. Nevertheless, Brown anticipates holding the first construction sector demonstrations within the next three months.

Looking to the future, Soper is confident that SED in the year 1999 will feature at least one stand by a telecoms service provider offering IT and communications systems on a commercial basis.n