Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
University of British Columbia
$66,870.00
Remote observation system for construction waste management
FY 2009-10
Summary
The construction waste management research program at the University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) is a new and emerging research and training facility. The main objective of the research program is to develop practical tools, technologies, and management solutions for Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste in construction projects, by considering the needs and expectations of the project stakeholders, environment, and general public. The most critical activity in achieving the goals of the research program is to observe current waste management practices in construction projects in all weather and site conditions without interruptions. The researchers at UBCO are currently conducting manual observations in active construction projects and landfills. They are experiencing several imitations related to weather, time, and accessibility to the work areas.
This proposal focuses on developing a remote observation system for construction waste, which can be used in the construction project environment and landfills. The system consists of four high resolution field cameras, with zooming and panning capabilities, connected to a laboratory facility with high capacity computer stations. The transferred images from the on-site cameras will be observed in real time and archived for future use. The proposed laboratory facility consists of two high capacity computers with external hard drives and two 42" LCD display panels. The camera network will be integrated with Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), where the field observers can upload manual observations to the system for data validations. The field observers will also be able to retrieve the camera images through PDAs to verify manual observations. The remote observation method has fewer disturbances to construction field operations and personnel; therefore more accurate data acquisition is possible. The rugged camera system can be operated in any weather and site conditions. The camera system will also be an invaluable tool in other collaborative research activities in the construction safety and productivity improvement.
Program
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Recipient
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
389794-2010
Name nom
Hewage, KasunNeranja
Department département
Okanagan - Engineering, School of
Organization id
2
Institution établissement
University of British Columbia
Province en
British Columbia
Province fr
Colombie-Britannique
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2009
Competition year année de concours
2010
Award amount
66870
Program id
EQPEQ
Program nane en
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Program name fr
Outils et instruments de recherche - catégorie 1 (<150 000$)
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
1509
Committee name en
Civil, Industrial and Systems Engineering
Committee name fr
Génie civil, industriel et des systèmes
Area of application code
902
Area of application group en
Commercial services
Area of application group fr
Services commerciaux
Area of application en
Waste, waste management and recycling
Area of application fr
Déchets, gestion des déchets et recyclage
Research subject code
1001
Research subject group en
Civil engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie civil
Research subject en
Construction engineering and management
Research subject fr
Génie et gestion du bâtiment
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Remote observation system for construction waste management
Keyword
NA
Application summary
The construction waste management research program at the University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) is a new and emerging research and training facility. The main objective of the research program is to develop practical tools, technologies, and management solutions for Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste in construction projects, by considering the needs and expectations of the project stakeholders, environment, and general public. The most critical activity in achieving the goals of the research program is to observe current waste management practices in construction projects in all weather and site conditions without interruptions. The researchers at UBCO are currently conducting manual observations in active construction projects and landfills. They are experiencing several imitations related to weather, time, and accessibility to the work areas.
This proposal focuses on developing a remote observation system for construction waste, which can be used in the construction project environment and landfills. The system consists of four high resolution field cameras, with zooming and panning capabilities, connected to a laboratory facility with high capacity computer stations. The transferred images from the on-site cameras will be observed in real time and archived for future use. The proposed laboratory facility consists of two high capacity computers with external hard drives and two 42" LCD display panels. The camera network will be integrated with Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), where the field observers can upload manual observations to the system for data validations. The field observers will also be able to retrieve the camera images through PDAs to verify manual observations. The remote observation method has fewer disturbances to construction field operations and personnel; therefore more accurate data acquisition is possible. The rugged camera system can be operated in any weather and site conditions. The camera system will also be an invaluable tool in other collaborative research activities in the construction safety and productivity improvement.
