2011TRBPaper

26 constraints. The duration of activities is based on historical data (similar work done in the past) or an estimation done by someone in the company (e.g., project manager, project engineer, or super- intendent). Construction duration is estimated by using the following formula: Beca use the quant ity of work is rela tive ly eas y to esti mateaccura tely by using printed drawings or computer-assisted drafting system and specifications, the accuracy of the duration depends largely on the accuracy of construction prod uctivity. It is not difficult to understand why a scheduler without accurate productivity data is unable to produce a reliable cpm schedule. In summary, poor productivity data affect the accuracy of activity duration; inaccurate activity duration makes it impossible to produce a reliable construction schedule. To improve the quality of construction schedules, there is a need to develop an advanced productivity measurement system that will overcome mentioned shortfalls. RESEARCH OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE The first objective was to develop the wireless real-time productivity measurement (WRITE) system that is capable of measuring on- site construction productivity. The second objective was to determine whether the WRITE system could be used for measuring equipment and labor productivity of highway construction operations. To achieve the second objective, design field experimental procedures and field experiments, including data collection and analysis, were conductedto te stthefeasibil ityof theWRITEsyste m as a pro duc tiv it y measurement tool. The third objective was to identify the possibilities of implementing the WRITE system and make recommendations for future research. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY The literature survey was conducted first. Construction productivity measurement methods and theories of statistics were included. The researchers designed the field experiments including the site selection, layout, procedures, data collection, and statistical data analysis methods. They also defined construction activities and operations and simultaneously collected productivity data. The developed system was tested in equipment-intensive projects [the asphalt overlay project duration qua nt it y of wor k const ruc ti on produ = c ctivity ( ) 1 Highway Construction Productivity Measurement with a Wireless Real-Time Productivity Measurement System Seonghoon Kim, Yong Bai, Yang-Ki Jung, and Dukgeun Yun Improving the quality of construction schedules calls for development of an advanced productivity measurement system. Existing on-site construction productivity measurement methods have some common limitations, such as not providing data necessary for engineers and project managers to conduct real-time analyses and share data with other project participants. A wireless real-time productivity measurement (WRITE) system was developed to address those shortfalls. The field experiment was conducted at two different stages: asphalt paving projects, including hot-mix asphalt and hot-in-p lace recycling, and a bridge reconstruction project. Productivity data collected from the WRITE system were also compared with productivity data collected from construction documents, such as contractors’ daily logs and pay estimate documents, to identify the feasibility of this system for measuring the performance of construction projects. For data analyses, statistical methods such as normality test, paired t -test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used. The result of statistical analyses proved that the develop ed system gener ated identi cal productivity measurements compared with the stopwatch method and construction documents. The success of this research project made several major contributions to the advancement of the construction industry. First, the research advanced the application of wireless technology in highway construction operations. Second, it provided an advanced technology for engineers and project managers to determine productivity in real time. Third, productivity data can be shared between project participants via the Internet. With these advancements, communication and coordin ation will be improved at constru ction sites. Consequently, the WRITE system will enhance owners’ and contractors’ ability to manage construction projects. Currently, most of the construction schedules are developed by using the critical path method (cpm). A scheduler builds a cpm network based on the duration of construction activities and rela- tionships between activities, with the consideration of resource S. Kim, Department of Construction Management and Civil Engineering Technolo gy, Georgia Southern University, 1007 Carruth Building, Statesboro, GA 30460. Y. Bai, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Kansas, 1530 West 15th Street, 2135-B Learned Hall, Lawrence, KS 66045. Y.-K. Jung, Transport Safety an d Welfare Division, Min istry of Land, Transport, and Maritime Affairs, Gwacheon 427-712, South Korea. D. Yun, Highway Research Division, Korea Institute of Construction Technology, Goyang-Si, Gyeonggi-Do 411-712, South Korea. Corresponding author: S. Kim, [email protected]. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 222 8, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C., 2011, pp. 26–33. DOI: 10.3141/2228-04

2011TRBPaper

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