Construction Industry Trends: May 2023 Roundup

Key Drivers of Modular Expansion

Shifting Reliance to Wood and Eco-Friendly Materials

There is a growing trend of replacing less eco-friendly building materials (like concrete and steel) with wood. The use of steel is still expected to grow during this time, but wood is easy to reuse or recycle since it is biodegradable, and also helps reduce the emissions footprint of the construction industry. Regardless, the increased dependence on wood materials supports market expansion for modular construction.

Mass timber can deliver the same durability as more conventional materials, but is far lighter and less toxic to produce. Since modular construction heavily utilizes off-site construction in a controlled factory environment, it is critical that the materials that comprise those parts are more lightweight for easier transportation—which is also more cost-effective.

Demand for Healthcare Infrastructure

The rapidly expanding healthcare market is also harnessing modular construction for building essential healthcare facilities. The Permanent Modular Construction (PMC) approach is an environmentally-friendly method of construction, since their parts are designed to easily be deconstructed for disposal or reuse which is ideal for providing emergency disaster relief accommodations with little warning.

As global warming continues to escalate the intensity and frequency of natural disasters—like the three major hurricanes that we saw in the gulf coast in 2022, causing billions in damage—it will necessitate even more temporary housing for displaced populations. Providing displaced populations with housing that is created through a more sustainable process is common sense.

Industrial and Institutional Sectors

The industrial sector is one of the dominant markets for modular construction. Modular construction maintains compliance with the International Building Code (IBC) which helps support its expansion, especially for institutional buildings with higher compliance standards.

The 4 Most Impactful Equipment Technologies

Advances in GPS tracking aided by satellite positioning, high-speed internet, smart sensors, and Cloud computing have all contributed to making it easier than ever to roll out new tech. Many construction firms have been able to strategically navigate state or federal funding and incentives to support the investment involved in rolling out these new technologies. The Construction Equipment Technologies industry has made many broader industry improvements possible, from a 79% reduction in worksite injuries to a 13% reduction in CO2 emissions.

There are four main construction equipment technologies of critical importance that are advancing the industry today:

1. Machine & Grade Control

Machine control solutions are able to determine a machine’s exact position on Earth with millimeter-grade accuracy and compare those specs with the original engineered design of the model. This process entails using data from satellites, total stations, and 3D modeling to ensure the precision of machine operators when performing critical tasks that require accurate machine positioning, collecting data, and automating other equipment functions to reduce human error without having to slow down.

Relying on traditional labor methods alone means being dependent on the highly variable and subjective skill level of the operator. Machine control technology can make it easier to train novice operators by decreasing the number and severity of complex tasks they will need to learn.

Improving operator productivity and accuracy with machine control will save contractors money by avoiding preventable rework that leads to unnecessary waste of materials and machine hours. Machine control can reduce material consumption by 10 to 20% compared to legacy technology.

Machine and grade control technology has become an essential component in earthmoving and paving applications. According to AEM census data, the amount of concrete and asphalt saved on public road construction projects every year from using machine and grade technologies would pave a two-lane highway from Chicago to Phoenix.

2. Engines & Drivetrains

Drivetrains and other non-road engines are 11 to 15% more fuel efficient following regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) dating back to 1996. The fuel saved from these efforts to make more fuel-efficient drivetrain and engine designs is the equivalent of removing 1,350,000 cars from the road forever.

Modern diesel engines and drivetrains boast better fuel efficiency, emit less particulate matter, are quieter, and are even more lightweight than their predecessors thanks to an investment in improving the environmental friendliness of common forms of transportation such as trains. All of this equates to saved costs for contractors.

3. Digital Control Systems

Digital Control Systems is an umbrella term for the whole suite of technologies that automate processes and tasks of operation on one piece of machine equipment. Having these technological services collected conveniently in one place simplifies operations and the use of modern smart sensors has made it even easier to operate machinery.

By automating repetitive tasks, human operators are able to reduce the number of variables in their control which reduces distractions and fatigue that lead to injury. Operators are 80% more accurate and perform the work 30% faster with digital assistance which allows them to focus on safety or efficiency. This support also enables job site supervisors to more easily hire novice operators more since the role does not require as much experience or training.

4. Machine Telematics

Telematics comprises technologies used for remote monitoring and optimizing machine assets such as reducing idle-time fuel burn which can account for 10 to 30% of the fuel consumed by construction machinery. Telematics is used to monitor machine utilization in real time to identify prescriptive maintenance to proactively prevent machine downtime or at least plan it into the schedule. It can also be used to identify which operators require additional training if they are not producing or are more accident-prone.

Improved computing hardware has supported better tracking of impactful telematics variables such as location, use time (uptime), diagnostic trouble codes, fuel consumption, and operating behavior.

Better tracking of machine equipment has led to improved security and fleet management. Fleet managers are able to monitor the exact location of their equipment at any given time and can ensure it is being used by the assigned operator with the required training for that vehicle. This will not only reduce accidents from improperly trained employees misusing equipment but will also prevent the outright theft of machines.