The Role of Camera Networks in Construction Automation

Due to the complexity and variability of capital construction sites, real-time monitoring remains an elusive goal. As unit price continues to fall, camera networks are becoming increasingly viable sensing modalities. The benefits of combining multiple, overlapping image sources include the ability to produce 3D scene reconstruction as well as localize and track objects. In the construction domain, these benefits enhance situation awareness by facilitating tracking of construction equipment and material, generating progress reports, and providing automated alerts in the event of a safety hazard. In this paper we describe the use of a camera network with a discussion of practical considerations in calibration and tracking. We conclude with a demonstration of a usage example.