**TRAMS-Enterprise** will develop a consistent, sector-wide framework (rules, guidance) to manage trusted and responsible data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning-based solutions for the construction sector. In doing this, it draws on the requirements, experience and expertise of leading construction contractors and other industry bodies and experts developing AI solutions for construction. It addresses sector-wide bottlenecks limiting the development/adoption/diffusion of AI/ML solutions for on-site construction.
In parallel, the project will directly support UK SMEs in further developing AI-based solutions for construction. The development of these solutions has been restricted by factors such as access to construction data (including trust/responsibility-related issues). It will enable these SMEs to develop data pre-processing and AI-based analysis tools per the TRAMS-Enterprise framework, supported by construction sector representatives who will be potential customers.
The project will be led by UK SME **Glideology** (collation and pre-processing of visual/camera data from construction sites. Glideology led the TRAMS-Construct Phase 1 feasibility study, which defined the need for the framework. Glideology will be supported by UK SMEs **Unit9** (integrating real-time site data with Building information models; BIM) and **Assentian** (developing AI-based solutions for sectors including construction).
**Cranfield University** will support solution development and validation. Construction RTO **BRE** (via industry body 'Constructing Excellence') will coordinate a sector-wide approach to framework development with contractors **BAM Nuttall, Babcock, Skanska** and **Costain** participating as project partners, supporting the development of the framework and specific AI-based solutions developed by the SMEs. BRE will also support Glideology on project management.
The main outputs will be:
* A working and adopted version of the framework, with potential models for its continued use as a construction industry approach.
* Proof-of-concept versions of AI-based solutions developed by UK SMEs.
By addressing sector-wide bottlenecks, TRAMS-Enterprise will accelerate the growth of the UK market for digital and AI-enabled construction management solutions.
AGRITRACK is a project looking to assess the feasibility of Trackchain, in Kenya, to help companies and communities improve supply chain management by consolidating metrics across various sectors of the supply chain. It identifies the structure of the supply chain, suppliers, and all risks associated with them to help companies improve the manufacturing supply chain amid times of crises, enhance food security and standards and reduce corruption.
TrackChain facilitates tracking of environmental, economic, health, and social consequences of different agricultural production processes, making it possible to calculate the"true cost of food", which will help meet consumer demand for transparency. Additionally, it helps communities, and small-scale producers within them, to harness efficiencies brought about by enhanced traceability and transparency. It could also help to improve producer revenue, market access and provide easier access to capital and trade finance.
Kenya is the country for focus initially. Over 2015-2019, Kenya's economic growth averaged 5.7%, making it one of the fastest-growing economies in Sub-Saharan Africa. COVID-19 has hit Kenya hard. However, the Agricultural sector has continued to grow robustly. The world bank highlights blockchain amongst the most promising high-impact solutions for the challenges facing Kenyan agricultural stakeholders.
Addressing the challenges posed to agriculture/food systems in the developing world requires innovation and collaboration rooted within long-term technological investment and partnership. In general, the food and agriculture sectors are far behind other sectors when it comes to investment and take-up of technology. This under-investment is even more pronounced in the developing world given that 75% of investments in this area are made in the developed world which itself highlights the inequalities
Trackchain, provides a foundation to address many of today's food-systems issues in addition to contributing to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals -- and has potential throughout developed and developing markets.
Multi-stakeholder collaborations focused on inclusivity and innovation are vital to optimizing the potential benefits. TrackChain intrinsically fosters collaboration through its focus on Distributed Ledger Technologies and the business model is designed to minimise barriers to entry/take-up
The United Nations Global Compact defines"supply chain sustainability"as the"management of environmental, social and economic impacts, and the encouragement of good governance practices throughout the lifecycles of goods and services".Supply chain policies and programmes, like traceability, offer key opportunities for companies to scale up their sustainability practices, thus contributing to the advancement of Sustainability Development Goals
"Industrial productivity has improved over recent decades across most sectors due to process and technology innovation. However, construction has not shown such gains (value added per worker is 60% of that in wider manufacture). Without improvements housing and infrastructure demand will not be met. Conversely, productivity improvements will add significantly to the economy (construction represents c.9% of UK GDP).
The size and nature of the sector suggest many opportunities for process and technology innovation. Techniques such as Design for Manufacture and Assembly and off-site construction could significantly improve construction productivity. However, uptake has been slow due to bespoke projects, supply chain complexity and fluctuating demand leading to a risk-averse approach to capital investment through supply chains.
Effective planning, and supply chain collaboration are key to ensuring that productivity gains are consistently achieved. We will therefore develop, test and assess an integrated process planning and supply chain management toolkit for the efficient delivery of construction projects. It will improve construction productivity (potential cost and time savings of 25% and 28% respectively) via:
* Better project planning; enabling project planners to identify optimum project delivery plans based on context-specific restrictions and supply chain 'pinch-points' where increased capacity/automation could improve overall productivity.
* Improved supply chain collaboration; enabling supply chain businesses to securely collect, share and store information, such as task status/completion, component location, and in-use data. The use of 'blockchain' technology will enable smart contracts and timely payments to subcontractors, reducing their financial risk.
Analysis of data from on-site sensor networks and through supply chain tagging/tracking systems will provide quantified metrics for planning scenario optimisation and industry-wide KPIs. These metrics will drive innovation, enabling planners to assess project-specific benefits of new digital and automation solutions. The mainstream implementation of such innovative approaches the project solution will help to leverage overall 55-70% savings in programme cost and time.
The PLASMA project will be led by construction contractor Vinci, with Skanska also participating. These organisations will provide date from, and access to, ongoing construction projects to ensure that the project solution (made available to the industry as a spin-out) meets industry needs. UK SMEs nPlan and Assentian building on expertise of project planners and in-house innovations from Vinci and Skanska. It will be applicable in other sectors (e.g. Facilities Management).
We anticipate revenues of \>30£M pa to the 'spin out"" in 5 years, with the solution used by 10% of the UK sector."