Managing construction schedule by telepresence: Integration of site video feed with an active nD CAD simulation

In recent years, the increased utilization of building information modeling (BIM) has brought attention to the need for BIM-based operation systems that provide a decision-making feature in addition to visual information. This study constructed a project schedule management system that integrates the data points of an nD computer-aided design (CAD) object (e.g., schedule and resource information) with a telepresence concept video management operation system. A methodology was developed that allows the user to monitor the current construction status relative to the design and verify the completion of the facility through real-time comparison between the planned process represented by the nD object and the actual image of the construction site sent from an on-site webcam. An active nD CAD system was developed that possesses features such as a comparative simulation between the on-site image and a 4D object to minimize interference between processes and a 5D object that is specialized to the resource mobilization level of the field. A telepresence-based nD CAD system was developed based on this methodology, and the practicality of the system was verified by webcams installed on a bridge construction site. Thus, the project manager is not only able to utilize the nD object for visualization but is also able to use the system as a decision-making system to formulate the most appropriate project schedule by comparing the nD object with the actual on-site image.