Exhaust from construction machinery building the new E16 in Sollihøgda.
The building and construction industry accounts for 15 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Norway. And construction machines are idle half the time.
But with the help of artificial intelligence, that will soon come to an end.
– Here, algorithms detect in real-time where machines are waiting for each other and unnecessarily queuing. He says Lars Horn, Skanska’s chief consultant.
Lars Horn is a Chief Consultant at Skanska.
Photo: Eirik Leivestad Hall / NRK
In short: artificial intelligence and advanced algorithms will help the construction site ensure that each construction machine always knows where the others are, what they’re doing and what’s the best way to organize the work.
The aim is to reduce unnecessary waiting time, unemployment and redundant work.
Millions of liters of fuel can be reduced
In collaboration with Skanska, SINTEF, Volvo and Ditio, it will now be tested whether artificial intelligence can make operations more efficient on construction sites.
The research project is called “Data-Driven Anlagsplass”.and is supported by the Research Council and Innovation Norway.
The scheme aims to reduce emissions by 10 per cent.
If so, the construction industry would reduce fuel consumption by 13 million liters per year.
Two large construction projects in Viken, E16 Åsbygda – Olum and E16 Bjørum – Skaret, are being used as pilots.
Photo: Eirik Leivestad Hall / NRK
– On a global scale, the potential for cuts is even greater, says Morten Dalsmo, Managing Director of SINTEF Digital.
CEO of SINTEF Digital, Morten Dalsmo.
Photo: Eirik Leivestad Hall / NRK
He pointed out that the European Union has calculated that digital technology alone could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2030.
– This project shows that this can be done by working together and using data to make better decisions, thus also reducing greenhouse gas emissions, explains Dalsmo..
– Not known for being at the forefront of development
On busy construction sites, there’s a lot of driving back and forth for big machines. But between 40 and 60 percent of them remain idle, the report says Mechanical Contractors Association.
– This means there is a huge challenge here and more applied research is needed where business and research environments work together to solve these challenges, says Dalsmo.
Digital Director at Skanska, Christopher Hernes.
Photo: Eirik Leivestad Hall / NRK
– The construction industry is not known to be very advanced in digital development. But it’s an incredibly exciting project for us, where we’re at the forefront of development,” says Skanska’s Digital Director Christopher Hernes.
When the industry targets, they not only reduce fuel consumption, but also create faster and lower costs. Norway uses approx. NOK 100 billion a year is spent on road construction, and about 70 percent is linked to fuel, personnel and the operation of machinery.
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