SKILLED LABOR CHALLENGES AND AUTOMATION IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

The construction industry remains one of the most labor-intensive industries worldwide, creating an average gross domestic product (GDP) of 8% for the global economy and helping reduce unemployment. However, the last few years have brought a plague of skilled labor shortage and retirement, the most recent pandemic also playing a part in hastening retirement due to the present age cohort (baby boomers). Therefore, the need to begin to source viable alternatives to mitigate these issues that could be catastrophic is critical. One possible option is automation, but the industry remains lethargic toward innovation adoption and its use. Past and present challenges should determine alternatives given evidence of success recorded from the application of technology for processes in other industries and some aspects in construction. This study aims to investigate occupations with the most shortage and the impact of retirement approaching 2023 while promoting research information about automation adoption and use as a viable alternative. The study utilized data from the bureau of labor statistics and a systematic review of literature to encapsulate the weight of these issues for the construction industry. The findings demonstrate a similar trend among the 15 occupations and total employment in the construction industry as it relates to increases and dips from 2007 to 2021. Most occupations experience labor shortages at the same pace; hence, automation has been adjudged a vital solution not only to help mitigate shortage and retirement issues but improve performance in the construction industry accordingly

Assessing Automation Readiness of Recurring Pavement Failure in Developing Countries: Case Studies of Nigeria and Jordan

A myriad of problems has characterized social infrastructure issues in developing countries, highway pavement failure is identified as one with recurring problem hampering connection and trading relationships among neighboring countries. Although, such issues are gradually been annihilated in developed countries with evidence of some pavement construction reaching life cycle expectance before surface or structural failures. Developing countries continue to struggle with such myriad of problems with new construction posited to experiencing same. Therefore, this present study foreshadows existing research and results from developed countries, to investigate automation assessment readiness (AAR) for highway construction processes in developing countries. A quantitative method using questionnaire was utilized to achieve this objective. Based on the identified indicators of automation readiness, a survey of construction practitioners (in Nigeria and Jordan) was conducted to appraise the current situation and confirm readiness level that will spur automation adoption for developing countries. The study result ranks economic benefits as the most critical indicator and a readiness score of 80.9% to AAR that will help curb recurring pavement issues in developing countries. Finally, the study proposes a path for developing countries highlighting a fundamentally AAR adoption process for highway construction

The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Construction Labor Force and Performance Metrics: A Case for Automation

Pandemics, such as Covid-19 virus spread fast with significant impact on people and the economy. The construction industry with productivity stagnation of over two decades is not excluded from this significant impact or restrictions that determine the present way of life. These restrictions (e.g., government shutdowns, social distancing, and face mask requirement) impede several construction processes resulting in scheduling restrictions, increased work-related hazards, and developing challenges helping to sabotage existing labor force shortage issues. Consequently, researchers and practitioners have focused on low-risk activities, staggered schedules, etc. However, there is a need to appraise the impact of Covid-19 on construction labor force while making a case for construction automation. In this study, the authors utilized a state of practice review of Covid-19-related developments (i.e., disruptions, standards, and regulatory practices) within construction, along with qualitative and quantitative approach among twelve professionals. The study identified productivity, safety, and quality concerns affecting the construction workforce before proposing a workflow for increased automation within the industry to deal with the present and future pandemics. The findings demonstrate the need and emphasize the importance of embracing automation for construction processes in phases that can improve labor force issues and performance metrics to change the path for lingering concerns in construction