TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT
services . Can you imagine how this might help mitigate the type of uncertainty that exists in today ’ s project pipelines ? Greater surety in project pipelines will enable contractors to invest in talent and resources with confidence .
In a broader sense , these IoT data sets will also contribute to satisfying citizens ’ demand for the increasingly complex ‘ Smart City ’ as they will inform infrastructure requirements that support efficiency , profitability and quality of life .
The city of Chicago is currently leveraging sensor technology to create a smart , connected city by using big data to drive upcoming construction and infrastructure initiatives . Using a network of 500 modular sensor boxes , called ‘ nodes ’, which will be installed across Chicago by the end of 2017 , construction leaders will be able to utilise a litany of urban intelligence , including 24 / 7 data on traffic , air quality , weather , and noise to plan where to invest in construction projects , and how to plan these projects .
“ This is a Fitbit for the city that will allow us to collect a really wide array of environmental data , which will help us make better decisions about what types of infrastructure to invest in ,” City of Chicago Chief Information Officer Brenna Berman told local business publication Crain ’ s Chicago Business .
For example , environmental sensors , which will measure temperature , humidity , barometric pressure , light , noise , and vibration , will provide data the construction industry can use to in deciding the most efficient materials to use to ensure a building blocks out noise or will withstand highly humid conditions from the beginning .
The cloud is the answer ; what ’ s the question ? The construction industry is at the early stage of its relationship with the cloud . How that journey will unfold as the industry rises to the challenge of delivering tomorrow ’ s urban environments is still clearly a work in progress . One thing is certain , though : the cloud ’ s ubiquitous ability to connect people , places and things , and it ’ s capacity to put vast amounts of processing power at the disposal of any company , on demand , offers a myriad of possibilities . Expect great things .
12 M arch 2016