Is a trend really a trend if it repeats year after year? That is a valid concern in the commercial construction world. For a competitive and fragmented industry that happens to be resistant to some of the rapid evolution noted in others, participants and observers are continually seeing some of the same glacial movements take centre stage.
For example, the skilled labor shortage that has roiled the country is not going anywhere anytime soon, despite increased educational and outreach programs. Automation, drones and increasingly comprehensive technology solutions are infiltrating projects one jobsite at a time. Offsite building is becoming more and more prevalent to guard against safety hazards on a worksite and deliver projects faster, cheaper and more efficiently. Mitigating risk is still possibly the most important aspect of successful job.
But for those trying to glean more information about what is around the corner to predicate ways it could affect the safety of their workers and the health of their bottom lines, it is also important to pay attention to the nuances of these big trends. Read on for the seven biggest factors to watch this year.
More drones taking flight
In the not-so-distant past, aerial photos of jobsites were taken from airplanes for a hefty fee. Since drones came onto the scene as an alternative, they’ve rapidly advanced to the point that contractors can access swaths of data with relatively affordable off-the-shelf models or third-party services.
Commercial drone use in construction surged 239% year over year, the fastest growth of any sector, according to a May report from DroneDeploy.
Remote Monitored Systems plc (LON:RMS) is focused on the continued development of the Company’s ‘Survey & Inspection’ business. RMS’s Geocurve subsidiary is a specialist surveying business which combines traditional survey techniques with innovative technologies including UAS/UAV, GIS databases, 3D modelling, laser and Lidar scanning and hydrographic modelling.
