Bar Code‐Driven Equipment and Materials Tracking for Construction

Abstract

The utilization of bar code‐based materials management systems has helped the Department of Defense, as well as entire industries, to save hundreds of millions of dollars through improved productivity, timeliness, and data accuracy. Can this technology be used in construction? Many authors have proposed a variety of potential applications. This paper presents the design and development of a pilot yard control system that utilizes the bar‐coding concept. It demonstrates how the system was designed to fit the stated objectives. Also presented is software for the integration and verification of bar‐code data. Finally, a brief discussion emphasizes the importance of selecting the proper labels and adhesives for the expected environments of the bar codes within the construction environment.