Author: Constructech Editors
Being a mountainous state, Colorado has somewhat unique issues with its airports. The “Mile High” city of Denver (5280-ft above sea level) has Denver International Airport (Code: DEN) which is more than a mile high at 5,434-ft. elevation. Denver is rated the third-busiest airport in the world and United States. DEN also has one of the most efficient runway layouts in the United States, with six, non-intersecting runways, five of which measure 12,000-ft. in length. The sixth (16R/34L) is 16,000-ft. long, the longest in the U.S. While the Denver area is noted more for its winters and low temperatures (as…
The capital lifecycle must go digital With $1.2 trillion in funding now funneled into capital construction projects under the IIJA (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), the industry must focus on efficiency and effectiveness in order to optimize this investment. Historically, American infrastructure projects and delivery have been pictures of inefficiency and ineffectiveness. In 2021, American infrastructure received a C- grade due to the number of water main breaks, wear on roads, and other capital maintenance problems. This is a historic moment in the world of American infrastructure, and it’s important that we get it right. Much has changed in the…
What value do construction jobsite cameras provide for construction? Vinnie Quinn, cofounder and director of Evercam Construction Cameras shares thoughts with Constructech editorial director Peggy Smedley on the importance of project management cameras in construction and what will drive the use of the technology in the future. Constructech (CT): What is the importance of project management cameras in construction today? Vinnie Quinn: Cameras on construction sites are valuable for so much more than just security. Images and pictures can be used for a much more productive, proactive, communicative purpose. The role of visual communication in construction management is an ever-growing…
Construction sites are dynamic environments with unique and often hazardous working conditions that can change daily, even hourly, as well as throughout the life of a project. On the job, what you wear can make the difference between safety and serious injury. More and more, safety gear, and even common clothing articles, are becoming connected devices that can be considered safety apparel. When used on worksites, wearable devices are often connected to a wireless mesh infrastructure via an IoT (Internet of Things) network. This network is the backbone of the system and allows for integration of the physical world into…
Jobsite energy needs fluctuate from hour-to-hour and day-to-day. Daytime use is generally much greater than nighttime use when crews are not on site. Security and surveillance at night needs constant power but not much. The power tools and equipment running during the workday are often energy hogs. Short term rental of power supply equipment like generators are an answer if planned properly. United Rentals, the world’s largest equipment rental company, now offers zero-emission power systems with the introduction of POWRBANK battery systems in its rental fleet. The company’s partnership with manufacturer, POWR2 Energy Solutions, represents a significant investment in sustainable…
Inflation hits everyone but not equally. Those who depend on personal automobiles for work are complaining about the rise in gasoline prices eating away any salary benefits they may have gotten recently. Manufacturers worry about costs of parts for assembly and contractors about raw material costs. They all have reason to see inflation as a challenge. Annual inflation rate in the U.S. accelerated to 7.9% in February of 2022, the highest since January of 1982. Energy remained the biggest contributor, with gasoline prices surging 38%. Government agencies are acting, too slowly some say, to rein in the escalation and the…
People are not laboratory mice. But people often are happy to experiment with new technology, new surroundings, new approaches to life in general that can be considered laboratory projects. With the backing of major corporations, such experiments can lead to the future in the present. At a site in Higashi-Fuji, Japan, in a prototype town of the future where people live, work, play, and participate in a living laboratory called Woven City, the future of transportation is being developed. It will be a smart city that allows researchers, engineers, and scientists the opportunity to freely test technology such as autonomy,…
Estimating is a risky business, especially with the supply-chain issues that are common today. But before the estimator gets to the costs and availability part of the equation, the type, quality, and quantity have to be determined. From CAD (computer-aided design) drawings to BIM (building information modeling) models, the data is there, getting it out and into a usable form is the challenge. One of the more time consuming and high-risk tasks for an estimator is the takeoff process. Technology has been used at various points to ease the operation and limit the error rate but today’s estimators have been…
Virtual reality (VR) has been a growing trend in many areas, starting with gaming and entertainment and progressing to architecture and building. One benefit of VR is being found in the HR (human resources) departments where it can be used for training and vetting of skills in workers. States are also finding use for VR in training and recruiting workers for employers within the state as is the case in Arkansas. The AOSD (Arkansas Office of Skills Development), a division of the Arkansas Dept. of Commerce responsible for aligning the state’s career and technical education programs with the needs of…
As the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be winding down in much of the world, companies are recognizing a new threat. The war in Ukraine has potential for massive cyber attacks in retaliation for sanctions and companies are expected to be targeted along with governments and critical infrastructure. Combined with stricter compliance requirements by governments to help secure cyber assets, the market for MSS (managed security services) is growing stronger. More and more companies are falling victim to data theft, espionage, or asset sabotage. Hackers are becoming increasingly aggressive in their approach, deliberately exploiting vulnerabilities to gain access to systems. Many…