Improving tower crane productivity using wireless technology

A tower crane is one of the major items of equipment used in the construction of high-rise buildings. However, crane operators do not receive adequate information, such as the target space conditions and the material being lifted, to control the crane. This limitation degrades productivity and safety. This study describes a prototype of an advanced tower crane (ATC) equipped with wireless video control and radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. With these advanced technologies, the ATC can provide the crane operator with an enhanced view of the work space and various other functions providing up-to-date material status. The ATC can also provide faster information flow with greater accuracy and improved driving efficiency. The ATC was used on a pilot construction site as a case study to test its performance. The results confirmed considerable improvement in operational speed and significantly enhanced performance in workplace safety and communication efficiency.