4 Main Tracking Technologies and Their Use in Construction Logistics

Construction businesses use simple and advanced technologies to track the movement of raw materials, finished goods, plant and equipment, or labour gangs from one location to another. They are instrumental in construction logistics.

These tracking technologies are also useful in recording and reporting the progress of works on site, including the geolocation of construction sites and materials.

In this post, we will dig into 4 (four) main tracking technologies and their specific uses in construction logistics. We will discuss Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Signalling, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

1. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) uses radio waves to identify a tagged object passively, as explained by Hayes. It is used in several commercial and industrial applications, from tracking items along a supply chain to keeping track of items in transit.

The system has two basic parts: tags and readers. The reader gives off radio waves and gets signals back from the RFID tag, while the tag uses radio waves to communicate its identity and other information.

This technology can significantly improve construction logistics by streamlining the tracking of equipment and materials, inventory control, and the overall tracking and management of construction resources.

This is achievable in the following ways:

1. Tracking of construction resources: RFID tags on tools, materials, and equipment allow real-time tracking throughout the entire supply chain. The project manager will use this to maintain visibility of the construction project materials, equipment, tools and vehicles, from the factory to the job site. This will help combat theft, and reduce physical losses.
2. Automating inventory management: With the RFID tags, the movement of construction materials, components and tools in and out of a store will be automatically identified as tags and readers communicate through wave motion.  This eliminates manual counts and ensures accurate updating of material stock levels. The project manager can then know when the stocks are running low and plan for sourcing and delivery of more materials on time to keep the project on track and avoid schedule delays caused by delays in material movement.
3. Prevention of physical theft of materials/equipment out of the stores:  RFID tags can be programmed to trigger alerts if valuable equipment leaves designated areas without authorization. This improves security and deters theft.
4. With the automation of equipment and material data collection, manual tasks of data capture and entry are reduced. This reduction of human intervention in the inventory process reduces errors, makes the captured data more accurate and reliable and offloads some of the administrative and human supervisory burdens that would have resulted from manual work.

2. Signalling

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a signal is an event, an act or something that incites an action.

Signalling, in construction logistics and supply chain management, would refer to the mechanisms of alerting a person that quantities of materials and goods have reached a level where you may be required to order more to replenish the stock before it runs out. There are both demand and supply signals.

Demand signals: This is information that indicates customer demand for a product or service. It can come from various sources like point-of-sale data, surveys, customer feedback, and market research.

Businesses use demand signals to forecast future demand and make decisions about production levels, inventory management, and marketing strategies. An understanding of customer demand trends helps them to optimize their operations and better serve their customers.

Supply signals: This information indicates what’s happening on the supply side. It can include things like raw material availability, supplier performance, transportation delays, and production issues. Supply signals help businesses identify potential bottlenecks and disruptions in the supply chain. With this information, they can take proactive measures to mitigate risks and ensure a smooth flow of goods.

3. Global Positioning System (GPS)

The global positioning system (GPS) is a space-based radio-navigation system that broadcasts highly accurate navigation pulses to users on or near the Earth.

A GPS receiver operated by a user on Earth measures the time it takes radio signals to travel from four or more satellites to its location, calculates the distance to each satellite, and from this calculation determines the user’s longitude, latitude, and altitude.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a system that uses satellites in space to pinpoint your location on Earth.  It is a satellite navigation system that helps trace your exact location anywhere on Earth (positioning) and provides directions to help in navigation and accurate time information.

Most electronic devices (such as desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets, including car and aeroplane systems and smartwatches) have GPS receivers embedded in them. These receivers receive signals from the GPS satellites and use them to calculate your location as previously described.

As construction involves physical assets, the positioning, navigation and timing capabilities of GPS are useful to the construction industry in the following ways:

1. Fleet management of construction machines, cranes, towers, moving equipment, and vehicles (trucks). Construction companies can dispatch drivers to the job site, track vehicles moving construction materials and workers to the job site, and calculate important data such as miles driven and the fuel used with the help of the positioning, navigation and timing capabilities of the GPS.
2. Aerial surveying: GPS navigation is used together with unidentified aerial vehicles (drones) for aerial surveying and resource mapping. This is used to position survey markers, and accurately locate land and property boundaries for the development of building and key infrastructure projects, such as road, rail, power lines, sewer lines or water reticulation lines. GPS is essential for creating accurate maps and surveys of construction sites. This data is crucial for construction planning, design, and permitting.
3. Environmental management and monitoring: before starting an infrastructure project, consultants can make use of GPS services to monitor locations and observe changes in the environment caused by an ongoing project. Especially where this service is used together with cameras, construction teams can monitor site progress without having to physically visit the construction sites. This is by harnessing the combined power of GPS-powered drones and high-precision cameras.
4. Project planning and monitoring: GPS data helps with planning by providing accurate measurements of land areas and volumes. During construction, GPS will help in tracking the progress.
5. Machine control and guidance: Heavy machinery like excavators and bulldozers can be equipped with GPS for precise positioning and grading. This ensures accuracy and reduces rework.
6. Worker safety: Some construction sites use GPS-based wearables to track worker location. This can improve safety by allowing quicker response times in health, safety, and welfare emergencies.

4. Geographic Information System (GPS)

National Geographic defines a geographic information system as a computer system for capturing, storing, checking, and displaying data related to positions on Earth’s surface. It can show different kinds of data on one map such as streets, buildings, roads, water bodies and vegetation. This enables people to easily see, analyse and understand patterns and relationships.

Geographic information systems work together with the location and positioning services of the global positioning system to provide spatial data infrastructure with many uses in varied industries and sectors globally.

In the construction industry, the geographic information system is used as follows:

1. Site selection and planning: GIS can analyse factors like topography, soil conditions, and existing infrastructure to identify optimal construction sites. This allows for informed decision-making during the initial planning stages.
2. Environmental impact assessment:  GIS helps assess the environmental impact of construction projects. By overlaying data on wetlands, wildlife habitats, and historical sites, potential issues can be identified and mitigated.
3. 3D modelling and visualization:  GIS can be integrated with Building Information Modelling (BIM) software to create 3D models of construction sites and surrounding areas. This enhances visualization, facilitates clash detection, and improves communication among stakeholders.
4. Logistics and resource management:  GIS can optimize logistics by analysing traffic patterns, identifying haul routes, and locating material sources. This streamlines resource allocation and reduces transportation costs.
5. Utility mapping and management:  GIS helps map underground utilities like water lines, gas pipes, and electrical cables. This avoids accidental damage during construction, facilitates planning for their relocation if need be and ensures worker safety.
6. Project monitoring and progress tracking:  GIS allows for real-time monitoring of construction progress. Data on completed work, equipment location, and material delivery can be visualized on GIS maps, enabling better project control.
7. Project Permitting:  GIS can be used to create interactive maps that communicate project details to the public and government regulatory bodies and authorities. This fosters transparency and simplifies the permitting process.

We hope this article helped you to understand the role of the discussed tracking technologies in construction logistics and construction supply chain management.

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