Integrating wireless data capture technologies with construction and infrastructure management systems

建设和基础设施管理需要收集和整合包括设计、施工、运营、检查和维护在内的所有生命周期阶段的大量信息。实时收集和访问这些信息的能力将为建筑和设施管理人员提供巨大的支持。此外，在发生火灾等极端事件时，这些信息对应急响应人员也非常有用，特别是在与位置信息结合使用时。无线传感器以及使用射频识别（RFID）和超宽带（UWB）定位技术的跟踪和识别系统的进步为大幅度提高综合建筑和基础设施管理系统的性能提供了新的机会。例如，超宽带系统可用于检测可能发生的碰撞，从而提高涉及重型设备的建筑项目的安全性。RFID系统可以提供ID并帮助跟踪基础设施组件的位置。拟议研究计划的主要目标是调查这些技术如何更好地服务于建筑和基础设施管理系统的目的。更具体地说，目标是：(1)研究协作多智能体系统，通过实时现场数据捕获来支持施工设备操作员；(2)研究基于RFID技术和建筑信息模型的设施部件生命周期管理方法；(3)探索应急室内导航方法。将使用实验室和现场测试来研究不同类型的传感器和跟踪和识别系统在不同条件下的特性。接下来将定义一组需求和规范，说明如何单独或组合使用这些技术。过程再工程技术将用于研究在重型设备建造、基础设施生命周期管理和应急响应过程中使用这些技术的方法。此外，成本效益分析将用于研究在实际项目中部署它们的成本效益。

Construction and infrastructure management requires collecting and integrating huge amount of information about all the lifecycle phases including design, construction, operation, inspection and maintenance. The ability to collect and access this information in real time would provide great support to construction and facilities managers. Furthermore, this information is also very useful to emergency responders in case of extreme events, such as fires, especially when coupled with location information. Advancements in wireless sensors and tracking and identification systems using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) positioning technologies provide new opportunities to drastically improve the performance of integrated construction and infrastructure management systems. For example, UWB systems can be used to enhance safety in construction projects involving heavy equipments by detecting possible collisions. RFID systems can provide the ID and help in tracking the location of infrastructure components. The main objective of the proposed research program is to investigate how these technologies can better serve the purpose of construction and infrastructure management systems. More specifically the objectives are: (1) Investigating collaborative multi-agent systems for supporting construction equipment operators using real-time field data capturing; (2) Investigating methods for lifecycle management of facilities components using RFID technology and Building Information Model; and (3) Investigating indoor navigation methods for emergency response. Both laboratory and field testing will be used to study the characteristics of different types of sensors and tracking and identification systems under different conditions. This will be followed by defining a set of requirements and specifications of how these technologies can be used individually or in combination. Process re-engineering techniques will be used to study the methods of using these technologies in the processes of heavy equipment construction, infrastructure lifecycle management, and emergency response. Furthermore, cost-benefit analysis will be used to study the cost-effectiveness of their deployment in real projects.