Driver Trett Digest Issue 21 03.2021 - Flipbook - Page 38
DIGEST | ISSUE 21
Their efficiency and ever adapting capabilities allow them to
reduce construction costs, improve workflow and accuracy
and maintain real-time control based on real-time data, all
of which reduce risks and can lead to higher certainty when
working on construction projects. The data captured can also
be integrated with BIM technology and therefore assist in the
development of BIM models and increase efficiency levels
throughout the entire life cycle of buildings.
Although drones are being successfully used on projects
daily, how can they be positively utilised within dispute
resolution?
We are all familiar with the phrase ‘records,records, records’,
and yet a lot of the time, projects find themselves making the
same mistakes time and time again. Why is it that we do not
always learn from our mistakes?
Collecting data on a daily basis, especially on large mega
projects, is certainly a timely and labour intensive activity
and does not always allow contractors or employers the
opportunity to react quicky to changes on the ground or
for that matter be made aware of them in a timely manner.
This inefficiency creates a huge opportunity for the use of
commercial drones.
GAME OF DRONES
Ashlea Read, Regional Director for Asia Pacific, Driver Trett Hong Kong
“Drones overall will be more
impactful than I think people
recognise, in positive ways to
help society.”
Eight trillion US dollars a year — that is the amount the
construction industry is currently valued at.
Bill Gates
The use of commercial drones on construction sites is
readily becoming common practice with usage rising by 239
percent year2 over year from day-to-day use, to use in dispute
resolution.
However, as we are all aware, it is not the most efficient
industry and a 2020 report on worldwide construction claims
stated that the global average value of a construction delay
dispute is a staggering US$30.7 million1.
Drones are currently being used on construction sites to track
equipment, mapping and surveys, security surveillance, site
safety measures, structure inspections and to track project
progress to name just a few.
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Delays are unfortunately common on construction projects
and are often mismanaged as sourcing accurate data and
records and establishing the progress of the works post
event can be problematic. If a potential delay event on site
is missed, or even missed for a few days, it can essentially
result in significant setbacks, pushing projects over budget.
Even if this happens a handful of times, it can sometimes
result in millions of dollars of additional cost which could
have easily been avoided.
Alternatively, the collection of data could be used jointly
between the parties to assist with extensions of time being
agreed and a dispute being avoided altogether, when
both parties have clear access to the same facts. These
fundamental factual records may reduce the scope for
conflicting delay events and subsequently reduce dispute
costs.
For the parties, the experts, and importantly the tribunal,
being able to view accurate progress weekly or daily is a
huge advantage.
Expert evidence and particularly that of a delay expert, can
often be criticised for being too theoretical, or for using an
approach too complicated for a ‘non-delay’ person to easily
understand.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR DRONES IN
DISPUTE RESOLUTION?
It is yet to be actively seen how drones can be used in
construction disputes. However, in my opinion, it is just a
matter of time before their use becomes common practice.
The speed and ease that a drone can accurately collect
data has revolutionised the construction industry and
drones will only be used more and more, especially as
technology continues to advance which will only aid the
dispute resolution process.
Although there is not much data generated yet as to the
successful use of drones in the dispute resolution process,
I have no doubt that the use of drones will ‘take off’, so until
then I guess all we can do is watch this ‘air’ space.
How could this risk be mitigated using
a drone? A 30-minute drone flight could
potentially collect the same data that it
may take a surveyor up to a day to collect
and ultimately achieve a higher grade of
accuracy.
However, one important consideration when seeking to utilise
drones on site, is for any relevant regulatory restrictions that
may apply. In many countries, there are restrictions relating
to the use of drones, especially in sensitive areas such as the
aviation sector.
The use of daily drone flights monitoring and tracking the
progress of a project could be invaluable in the event of a
dispute. More often than not the necessary records are
incomplete, missing, or simply do not exist, leading to
conflicting conclusions between the parties, and often,
assumptions being made which can subsequently lead to
disputes becoming lengthy and costly to all.
1.
2.
Global Construction Disputes Report 2020 - Arcadis
UAVs are changing the world, one industry at a time.
MARCO MARGARITOFF JULY 9, 2018
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