Cloud-based information system for automated precast concrete transportation planning

Abstract

Transportation planning of precast concrete (PC) products require a large amount of information to be integrated and communicated among the managers. However, without a system specialized for PC products transportation planning, they currently have difficulties in generating and communicating the plans quickly and efficiently. This study proposes a cloud-based information system for automated PC transportation planning. Specifically, the authors first identified 26 functional requirements based on a PC transportation planning process analysis, literature review, and expert interviews. The authors then designed five system modules and a system architecture that can meet the requirements. The authors validated the system design by developing a prototype and testing its utility and applicability through a case study and demonstration to experts. This study provides knowledge on the requirements of PC transportation planning systems and a system design that can resolve PC logistics problems, which can contribute to improving the productivity of offsite construction projects.