Two workers looking at digital assets on an construction job site

BIG DATA IN CONSTRUCTION: LEVERAGING ANALYTICS TO OPTIMIZE HEAVY EQUIPMENT PERFORMANCE

Big data involves high volumes of information collected by organizations to gather insights or develop machine learning. As big data collection becomes more accessible to businesses, many industries have found ways to leverage data analytics for greater productivity, quality and efficiency. In the construction industry, teams continue to find ways to use this data for operational improvements.

 

HOW BIG DATA RELATES TO CONSTRUCTION

In construction, big data can be collected through technologies such as meters and sensors. With telematics — the ability to transmit this information to a computer — construction teams can review the data their equipment compiles to better understand its performance. Telematics can be used on numerous types of equipment, helping operations understand overall fleet performance.

Analysis of these datasets allows for uses like:

  • Tracking equipment and assets, even in large construction operations with hundreds of tools
  • Identifying potential hazards in construction projects so companies can reduce these risks
  • Determining the phasing of construction activities for the most efficient use of resources

 

WHY USE BIG DATA IN CONSTRUCTION?

Big data has the potential to change the future of the construction industry. The following are a few of the benefits companies can realize by incorporating big data into their operations:

  • Efficiency: Insights gathered and analyzed from equipment performance allow companies to change future processes for faster job completion.
  • Safety: By extracting trends from equipment data and other sources, companies can predict risks and determine when equipment will need maintenance, creating a safer work environment. 
  • Cost control: By analyzing past data, businesses can predict the length and cost of construction projects before the work begins, resulting in fewer surprises for the crew as well as the client.
  • Resource management: When companies analyze their large data sets, they can find past trends to determine what resources they will need to complete future projects, uncovering everything from the optimal fleet size to fuel requirements.
  • Performance optimization: With data like location, equipment movement, idle time and cycle times, construction teams have a clearer picture of equipment performance. For example, fuel usage data and idle time might reveal that a piece of equipment is sitting idle for too long on job sites, leading to unnecessary fuel loss. Big data in construction can also inform managers when a fleet member is ready for maintenance, resulting in improved longevity and efficiency.

 

TURN TO EMPIRE RENTAL FOR CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

At Empire Rental, we rent equipment with the latest technology, including advanced telematics solutions that allow you to collect data about your equipment. Once you have a store of big data, you can use it to improve your overall construction processes.

Browse our equipment selection online for technology-enabled solutions that optimize your work.