Managing construction schedule by telepresence: Integration of site video feed with an active nD CAD simulation

Abstract

Abstract In recent years, the increased utilization of building information modeling (BIM) has brought attention to the need for BIM-based operation systems that provide a decision-making feature in addition to visual information. This study constructed a project schedule management system that integrates the data points of an nD computer-aided design (CAD) object (e.g., schedule and resource information) with a telepresence concept video management operation system. A methodology was developed that allows the user to monitor the current construction status relative to the design and verify the completion of the facility through real-time comparison between the planned process represented by the nD object and the actual image of the construction site sent from an on-site webcam. An active nD CAD system was developed that possesses features such as a comparative simulation between the on-site image and a 4D object to minimize interference between processes and a 5D object that is specialized to the resource mobilization level of the field. A telepresence-based nD CAD system was developed based on this methodology, and the practicality of the system was verified by webcams installed on a bridge construction site. Thus, the project manager is not only able to utilize the nD object for visualization but is also able to use the system as a decision-making system to formulate the most appropriate project schedule by comparing the nD object with the actual on-site image.