APPRAISAL OF THE ADOPTION OF AUTOMATION IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

Innovative Technology is swiftly developing all around the universe at a rate and pace that has never been experienced in ages. The construction industry is well organized, universal and a very large industry and plays a dynamic role in the nations local and global economy in terms of investment, job creation and contribution to GDP. The periods of the national prosperity are usually associated to the periods with high level of construction activity in the country. The level at which the construction industry affect the environment is being considered across spectrum of its activities. As a result of the effect of construction industry on the environment, the construction industry sees the necessity to embrace the new and improved innovative technology refer to has “Automation”. Automation in the construction industry is refer to as the use of self-regulating machines to carry out manufacturing, production, distribution and other procedures automatically. By the application of feedback, sensors check a system’s operations and send signals to a computer that automatically regulates the whole process. Hence, this study assessed the benefit of adopting automation for construction project performance with a view of providing information for improving project performance through the adoption of automation technologies concepts, ideas and description. The research further examines the areas of construction projects that can be automated, drivers for the adoption of automation, barriers and perceived impacts of automation in the construction industry with Lagos state being the study area. The study employed a cross sectional survey design using a quantitative approach. A total of 191 construction professionals which include majorly the Architect, Builder, Engineer and Quantity Surveyor were the respondents for the study using a well-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed on a five (5) point Likert-type scale having 5 sections of question in all. Data analysis were done using MIS, SD, Kruskal-Wallis and SNK Test. Study on level of awareness of automation techniques revealed that Computer Aided Design (CAD), cranes and Building Information Modelling (BIM) are the top three (3) techniques that are most aware of in the construction industry. In terms of the drivers for the implementation of automation, conceptual design of new technologies, adoption of new IT and telecommunication technologies and high cost of using the technology in certain areas are the top three (3) drivers. Also high capital cost of acquiring machines and technologies, high capital cost of maintenance of machines and technologies and lack of government investment in heavy equipment all this three (3) factors are highly rated by the construction professionals as the barriers to the implementation of automation in the construction industry according to the study. The study recommended seminars and workshop themes that are tailored towards the benefit of adopting automation in the construction industry and also Change in the education and training of construction professionals, in terms of introducing a specific subjects or topics relating to innovation technologies to construction students. However, this research focused on the benefit of the automation techniques, future research can focus on cost implication of those techniques