4-D Workplanner: A Prototype System for Automated Generation of Construction Spaces and Analysis of Time-Space Conflicts

Managing the space requirements of construction activities is a major task for project managers. The current industry approach for space management is reactive resulting in unnecessary construction delays. Proactive space management involves consideration of activity space requirements, and analysis of time-space conflicts during planning. However, the dynamic nature of the activity space requirements and the existence of multiple types of time-space conflicts, together with the limitations of current project management tools in addressing those challenges, hamper the wide application of proactive time-space conflict management. In this research, we have developed a prototype system, 4D WorkPlanner, to address the challenges stated above. 4D WorkPlanner automatically generates the construction spaces, represented in all four-dimensions, using 4D production model information, and it detects and analyzes time-space conflicts. This paper discusses the issues with consideration of activity space requirements and analysis of time-space conflicts. It overviews the system architecture and discusses the functionalities of 4D WorkPlanner in addressing those challenges and in enabling proactive space management.