Industry Insights
Survey shows 97% of highway workers believe work zones are more dangerous
According to a new national highway work zone study conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and Heavy Construction Systems Specialists Inc. (HCSS), more than half of highway workers polled reported that vehicles had crashed into their work zone during the past year. Additionally, 28% of contractors surveyed experienced crashes resulting in injury to a worker, and 59% reported that the driver or passengers in the crashed vehicle were injured.
“Elected and appointed officials are not doing enough to protect workers and motorists in highway work zones,” said AGC Chief Economist Ken Simonson, who is the author of the annual survey. “Our transportation networks may be invaluable, but the lives of workers and motorists are priceless.”
Nearly 100% of highway contractors who responded said they believe highway work zones are either as or more dangerous than they were a year ago. They cited phone use as a reason they think there is increased risk.
Contractors said ways to improve safety would be a greater police presence, automatic ticketing for speed violations, work zone cameras, and stricter enforcement of laws regarding moving violations in work zones.
Cloud-based functionality helps with challenges, according to study
Data resiliency is key to handling the challenges of a heightened risk environment, according to a study published by Dodge Construction Network (DCN) in partnership with Egnyte. The report, “Data Resilience in Design and Construction: How Digital Discipline Builds Stronger Firms,” defines data resilience as the ability to access all project and business documents and data to support work at any time, from anywhere and on any device.
The study showed that only 39% of architects, engineers and contractors currently have that unimpeded level of access at least 90% of the time. Top challenges include an inability to access all documents on mobile devices, software limitations that hinder the ability to work with other project team members, and a lack of timely access to documents. According to the data, such a lack of access results in performance issues, including unplanned rework and schedule delays.
The data also suggests that cloud-based functionality can help avoid challenges. The study found that 85% of respondents who reported no issues with document access are currently using the cloud.
“The architecture, engineering and construction industries have seen a surge in migrating data to the cloud in recent years, empowering them to collaborate more efficiently and effectively,” said Kevin Soohoo, Senior Director of AEC Industry Solutions at Egnyte. “This study demonstrates how the digital revolution has empowered companies to adapt to new ways of work despite the unique challenges each of these industries have faced with the opportunities and risks that come with technology today.”
Report shows a boom in apartment construction
According to a report from RentCafe, 2023 is set to be a new peak in apartment construction as developers are expected to open 460,860 units by the end of December. The year 2023 was part of a three-year building boom that saw more than 1 million new apartments brought into the market, according to RentCafe. Another 1 million new rentals are set to be completed through 2025.
Project Delivery Center of Excellence focused on efficient completion of infrastructure projects
The U.S. Department of Transportation has launched the Project Delivery Center of Excellence to help recipients of federal infrastructure funds deliver projects more efficiently and effectively, from concept to completion. The Center will serve as a central resource for innovative practices by bringing project managers together to enable knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning.
The initial plans for the Center include simplifying the contracting process, centralizing project delivery methods best practices, and working in partnership with the American Society of Civil Engineers and Association of Consulting Engineering Companies to develop and distribute templates and model language for transportation construction contracts.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is delivering tens of thousands of new transportation projects across the country, and this announcement will help us deliver on time, on task and on budget,” said Senior Advisor to President Biden and White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu. “The Department of Transportation’s Project Delivery Center of Excellence will be a key nexus for exchanging ideas, knowledge and best practices to continue to improve and make our transportation system better for all.”
