High Payoff Areas for Automation Applications

Construction, although the world's largest industry, is also its most archaic. Most construction practices are very labor-intensive, with resulting impacts on safety, productivity, and quality. The need for automation is apparent, Automation development, however, is expensive and the selection of initial activities for attention need prioritization. A method for prioritization of research efforts is presented. The method is based upon criteria of high payoff areas, receptiveness to automation, and availability of technology. The criteria can be applied to a wide variety of specific activities and areas on different types of projects in particular societies.