A multi-objective intelligent transportation system in construction sites

The work reported in this thesis presents a framework for supporting path-planning analysis of construction sites based on multi-objective evaluation of transport cost, safety, and visibility. These measures are combined to allow capturing conditions that satisfy optimum evaluation of multi-criteria design requirements. For the analysis of a static site layout, the above criteria can be combined or individually optimised to present site planners with the safest path, the shortest path, the most visible path, and the path that reflects a combination of low risks, short distance, and high visibility between two site locations. The path-planning framework uses a multi-objective optimisation approach in making a more informed strategic decision regarding the movement path of people and vehicles on construction sites, and detailed decisions regarding travel distance and operational paths on workplaces, enabling site planners to examine paths scenarios. In general, this work addresses the lack of computer-based support tools for multi-objective optimum path finding applications that can be used interactively to assist site planers with generating alternative path scenarios. This IT tool will support the use of what-if analysis for planners so that they can work out the movements paths for people and vehicles for a given site layout. This optimisation application uses mathematical search algorithms namely; Dijkstra, A*, and Genetic Algorithms to find efficient paths between two site locations based on a combination of transportation cost and safety related criteria. The path-planning framework contributes to the application of information technology in the field of construction to specifically address issues in relation to safety-related measures and transport economy.