The wave of construction technology that has popped up in the last decade or so gives contractors a way to save time and money while being more competitive in the eyes of sustainability-minded GCs and owners. Smart Construction’s portfolio of solutions features these different technologies and applies them to each individual project to make planning and process more efficient.
Some of the ways contractors can use construction tech to boost efficiency include:
• GPS-enabled machinery: 3D Machine guidance and control help even inexperienced operators get their work done right in one go.
• Equipment tracking and optimization: GPS tracking, and other telematics data can help contractors monitor their equipment in real-time. This can reduce fuel consumption and unnecessary wear on vehicles and fleet, while helping them identify ways to do the same work in a faster, more efficient manner.
• Drones: Drones can be used for site surveying and project monitoring. The use of drones can minimize human error in design or estimation and dramatically decrease the time needed to measure quantities and make critical decisions about projects. Drones are especially valuable for large sites. Once a time consuming and inefficient task, surveying has become a quicker job for site managers to review progress and make decisions, relaying data to remote teams where required.
• Digital twins: 3D modeling can make planning easier and more accurate, reducing the risk of rework and wasted materials. Digital twins also streamline communication between everyone involved in a project.
How can technology enable the construction sector to unlock sustainability gains?
In earthwork, efficiency is sustainability. As owners and developers start focusing more and more on the sustainability of their projects, earthwork contractors can position themselves as “sustainable” partners by becoming more efficient. It doesn’t require huge investment in new electric fleets and machinery, or spending an inordinate amount of time tracking your carbon emissions. Sustainability milestones can be achieved as a by-product of becoming more efficient in daily operations.
