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Augmented Reality (AR) technology has emerged as a promising tool for enhancing safety in the construction industry by improving the Situation Awareness (SA) of onsite workers. However, there is a lack of methods to quantify the impact of real-time AR visual warnings on developing and updating SA. To address this gap, this paper presents an eye-tracking-based method that quantifies the impact using three metrics: Time to First Fixation (TFF), Dwell Time (DT), and Revisit Interval (RI). A quasi-onsite experiment validated the feasibility of the proposed method and confirmed that AR warnings could reduce the time to reach Level 1 SA by 40.7% and reduce the interval for updating Level 2 and Level 3 SA by 43.45%. This method can be further combined with advanced visualisation measures to address perception, memory, thinking and mobility, eventually leading to insights on mental effort, decision making, interaction with computers, human reliability and work stress. • An eye-tracking-based method was developed to measure worker situation awareness. • Three metrics were proposed to quantify the impact of AR warnings on situation awareness. • A quasi-onsite experiment confirmed the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method. • The AR warning system has been demonstrated to assist workers in enhancing situation awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-rise building fires can pose a significant threat to occupants and firefighters. The state-of-the-art technologies such as sensor-based Internet of Things (IoT), Building Information Modelling (BIM), Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) may offer great potential to improve building fire safety and rescue efficiency, primarily through ameliorating the level of situational awareness. This study proposes an innovative technology integrated framework for prototyping a proof-of-concept BIM, IoT and AR/VR system based upon the rationale of situational awareness. A pilot test based on a simulated fire scenario is conducted to evaluate the functionality of the framework. The outcomes reveal that the data generated by the system can be leveraged by the firefighting department to quickly locate the whereabouts of the indoor fires, and the VR gamification scenarios can expedite the development of situational awareness for the trainees. The limitations and future works are also discussed at the end of this paper. • Integrating Building Information Modelling and Internet of Things can provide fire monitoring. • Virtual Reality based fire training can increase situational awareness. • Augmented Reality can facilitate indoor pathfinding efficiency. • Firefighters' efficiency can be improved through this framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing interest in exploring the use of wearable Augmented Reality (AR) devices to improve the task performance of construction workers. However, user interaction with AR has not been well understood in the current literature, which may result in poor usability, occupational hazards, and low acceptance. To bridge this gap, this study introduced cognitive ergonomics theory to design and develop an AR application for improving the kinaesthetic performance of construction workers conducting onsite assembly tasks. The methodology of this study is three-fold. First, articles in relation to cognitive ergonomics were reviewed to propose a unique cognitive model that reveals the cognitive mechanisms of construction workers, including human information processing, selective attention, and attention resources. Second, the characteristics of existing AR application functions were synthesised to develop a customised and user-friendly wearable AR application that aligns with the identified cognitive mechanisms. Third, a rebar-tying experiment was conducted to validate the developed AR application. The results indicate that the experimenters instructed by the application can complete the task independently without the need to seek after expert assistance; the application has a potential to foster the skill development of construction workers and enhance their kinaesthetic performance; and the proposed cognitive model and the AR development principles are well aligned from the perspective of cognitive ergonomics, which could promote the uptake of wearable AR in the construction industry. • Cognitive ergonomics theories were introduced to design and develop the AR application. • A cognitive model was proposed to reveal the impact of the application on construction worker performance. • The development assisted the workers in assembling rebars more independently. • The kinaesthetic performance of workers significantly increased as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]