Factors like extreme weather, delivery delays, misplaced tools, limited elevator access, improper waste disposal, incomplete reports, and labor shortages impact the movement of people and materials on a construction site.
Read more about these five solutions that help new building and modernization projects meet schedule, budget, and safety goals.
Choose the best construction elevators early in the process
KONE construction elevators move people and equipment quickly, safely, and efficiently on worksites. They are built to handle high winds, rain, and rough treatment. KONE JumpLift is a self-climbing elevator that uses the building’s permanent lift shaft, enabling faster construction, lower costs, and less downtime from extreme weather conditions. In one customer case, KONE JumpLift proved to be 2.3 times faster than a construction hoist.
KONE SiteFlow is a digital solution that maximizes the mechanical advancement of JumpLift. It serves as a project management tool, empowering site managers to control access to the construction elevator and better plan the transport of people and materials.
Using an internal construction elevator can also allow for earlier façade sealing, saving energy costs, and lowering emissions. Elevators can be integrated with logistics management solutions to optimize rides, eliminate unnecessary stops, and prioritize urgent tasks. KONE SiteFlow significantly enhances the efficiency of construction elevator use.
Use real-time data and insights to optimize operations
Managing a worksite requires 3D logistics. It is about figuring out how to best organize people, machines, and materials spatially. People and things can easily be caught in a vertical bottleneck. KONE SiteFlow collects, analyzes, and uses data to optimize the flow of people at construction sites. RFID tags in workers’ hard hats gather information, which is analyzed by AI to give supervisors better information and to optimize movement of the workforce. Elevators can be prioritized for different uses, access can be restricted to specific floors, and people can be directed to available elevators. For example, during the construction of the cruise ship Icon of the Seas, KONE SiteFlow helped the shipyard, Meyer Turku, increase the number of elevator trips by 60%.
Use data to manage the flow of materials and tools on worksites
Workers might end up spending more time looking for a tool than using it. KONE SiteFlow’s Tool Finder saves time and eases frustration by displaying on a mobile device where tools are in real-time. RFID tags placed on tools, waste bins, fire extinguishers, and pallet trucks show people where important equipment is located, and if they are being used and stored correctly. Knowing when, where, and how things are being used can also help scheduling. For example, waste management can be planned for less busy times, so elevators aren’t full of waste bins when workers are trying to move around the site. Taking actions based on data analytics can improve efficiency, reduce theft, and minimize downtime.
Seek external project managers to accelerate construction productivity
KONE is a specialist in people flow, not just by supplying the best equipment but also by providing the best services. KONE offers project management services for the construction of all kinds of buildings with elevators, and local KONE teams are at your service all over the world. They handle big and small jobs from brand new flagship towers to historical sites. KONE experts keep the project running smoothly, helping to prevent cost overruns, and missed deadlines. They can reduce waste, minimize risks, improve coordination, boost efficiency, and help make the project a safe place to work.
Take advantage of prefabricated modular solutions
What takes days to build on-site can be done in hours, thanks to pre-fabrication and modularity. This tried-and-tested construction practice can also be applied to elevators. KONE can provide ready-made elevator shafts that can be installed straight into a building. Building elements off-site, in a controlled factory environment, has a variety of benefits. Costs can be reduced, safety can be improved, and project timelines accelerated by 20 to 50 percent, according to a 2019 McKinsey report. Modular construction can be applied to new buildings and to modernization projects.