Sensors and Sensor Networks

Recently, sensing technology has been experiencing quantum leaps in price reduction and in performance. This has occurred because of simultaneous advances in new materials, cheap computing power, micro to nano-level integrated fabrication, wireless networking, and sophisticated information technology. At the same time, the pace of business and the pace of change have been accelerating and driving the need to be constantly and immediately aware in projects and business ventures of risks, threats, opportunities, and physical state. This need to be aware of the state of a project and the emerging capability to sense the state have come together to create a wealth of opportunities. Simply put, getting better information faster results in better decisions and competitive advantage. This paper explores how sensors, networked sensing systems, and tools to use sensor data in decision making will radically improve construction project performance over the next decade.