**4. Background research**

RFID is an automatic identification solution that streamlines identification and data acquisi‐ tion, operating similarly to bar codes. Automatic identification procedures have recently be‐ come very popular in numerous service industries for purchasing and distribution logistics, and in manufacturing companies and material flow systems. Jaselskis and Anderson (1995) investigated the applications and limitations of RFID technology in the construction indus‐ try, and attached read/write RFID tags to the surfaces of concrete test that were cast from the job site to test lab. This RFID technology has been widely applied in many areas in the con‐ struction industries for the following reasons: (1) to provide owners and contractors with in‐ formation to enhance operation using RFID technology (Jaselskis and Tarek, 2003); (2) to propose a novel concept of "parts and packets unified architecture" in order to handle data or information related to a product carried by product itself by utilizing RFID technology (Yagi et al., 2005); (3) to apply RFID technology as a solution to problems in pipe spools, and identify potential economic benefits from adopting RFID technology in automated tracking (Song et al., 2006); (4) to apply RFID combined with GIS technology in order to locate pre‐ cast concrete components with minimal worker input in the storage yard (Ergen et al., 2006); (5) to improve the efficiency of tracing tools and tool availability using RFID (Goodrum et al., 2006); (6) to develop mobile construction supply chain system integrated with RFID tech‐ nology (Wang et al., 2006); (7) to describe a prototype of an advanced tower crane equipped with wireless video control and RFID technology (Lee et al., 2006); (8) to improve tracing of material on construction using materials tagged with RFID tags (Song et al., 2006); (9) to present strategy and information system to manage the progress control of structural steel works using RFID and 4D CAD (Chin et al., 2008); (10) to enhance precast production man‐ agement system integrated with RFID application (Yin et al., 2009), and (11) to present a new methodology for managing construction document information using RFID-based se‐ mantic contexts (Elghamrawy and Boukamp, 2010).

the RFID reader, and transferred to a Pocket PC or computer. Unlike barcodes, RFID tags do not require line-of-sight to be read; they only need to be within the reader's radio range. Ad‐ ditionally, RFID tags can be read through most materials. RFID tags are shrinking, with some measuring only 0.33mm across. Although RFID systems can apply different frequen‐ cies, the most common frequencies are low (125KHz), high (13.56MHz) and ultra-high

Application of Mobile RFID-Based Safety Inspection Management at Construction Jobsite

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/53176

271

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a tagging technology that is gaining widespread at‐ tention due to the great number of advantages that it offers compared to the current tagging technologies being used today; like barcodes. Near Field Communication, or more common‐ ly known as NFC, is a subset of RFID that limits the range of communication to within 10 centimetres or 4 inches. Compared with Bluetooth and infrared, the main characteristic of NFC is quick, easy, security. Although the NFC data transmission speed is far less than the Bluetooth and infrared, the device only by the unilateral power supply to the operation of the device near to the rapid induction features, and greatly enhance the ease of use. Further‐ more of the NFC device requires very short communication distance. NFC technologies help to improve data security because it can reduce the data to the risk of being intercepted or

In recent years, due to the rapid development and popularization of the smartphone, a grow‐ ing number of mobile phone NFC functionality into the standard features. The NFC-enabled mobile phone through the sensor to read high-frequency band RFID tags or other NFC-ena‐ bled devices for data transmission via a simple touch can, and are widely used in the identifica‐ tion, communication, information obtained, consumption and other purposes provide fast and convenient communication, this study using NFC phones used in patrol operations and identi‐ fication of the site staff can enhance the operating convenience of mobility and reduce the cost

Notably, RFID systems are one of the most anticipated technologies that will potentially transform processes in the engineering and construction industries. In the construction in‐ dustry, RFID technology can be utilized with smartphone, thereby allowing staff members to integrate seamlessly safety work processes in the jobsite, due to the ability to capture and carry data. With a NFC technology plugged into a smartphone, the RFID-enabled smart‐ phone is a powerful portable data collection tool. Additionally, RFID readings increase the accuracy and speed of information communication, indirectly enhancing performance and

The advantages of using mobile devices in the construction industry are well document‐ ed (Baldwin et al., 1994; Fayek et al., 1998; McCullough, 1997). Moreover, mobile devices have been applied in numerous construction industries, to provide the following support: (1) providing wearable field inspection systems (Sunkpho and Garrett, 2003); (2) support‐ ing pen-based computer data acquisition for recording construction surveys (Elzarka and Bell, 1997); (3) supporting collaborative and information-sharing platforms (Pena-Mora and Dwivedi, 2002); (4) using mobile computers to capture data for piling work (Ward et al., 2003), and (5) utilizing mobile devices in construction supply chain management sys‐

of equipment to build, in order to improve the job the best solution.

(UHF) (850–900MHz) (Lahiri, 2005).

stolen.

productivity.

tems (Tserng et al., 2005).

The use of technology to improve delivery process control is not a novel concept. Many in‐ dustries have applied barcodes to track materials for many years. Construction companies began to examine the use of barcodes for tool management in the early 1990s. Although bar‐ code is an established and affordable technology, it has presented problems in the construc‐ tion industry due to the short read range and poor durability of barcodes — a barcode requires a line of sight, and becomes unreadable when scratched or dirty.

An RFID system is composed of an RFID tag and an RFID reader. The RFID tag comprises a small microchip and an antenna. Data are stored in the tag, generally as a unique serial number. The RFID tags can be either passive (no battery) or active (battery present). Active tags are more expensive than passive tags and have a read range of 10–100 meters. Passive tags have a read range of 10mm to approximately 5m (Manish and Shahram, 2005). The vast majority of RFID tags applied in the construction industries are passive.

The RFID reader functions as a transmitter/receiver. The reader transmits an electromagnet‐ ic field that "wakes up" the tag and provides the power required for it to operate (Lahiri, 2005). The tag then transfers data to the reader via the antenna. This data are then read by the RFID reader, and transferred to a Pocket PC or computer. Unlike barcodes, RFID tags do not require line-of-sight to be read; they only need to be within the reader's radio range. Ad‐ ditionally, RFID tags can be read through most materials. RFID tags are shrinking, with some measuring only 0.33mm across. Although RFID systems can apply different frequen‐ cies, the most common frequencies are low (125KHz), high (13.56MHz) and ultra-high (UHF) (850–900MHz) (Lahiri, 2005).

**4. Background research**

270 Radio Frequency Identification from System to Applications

mantic contexts (Elghamrawy and Boukamp, 2010).

RFID is an automatic identification solution that streamlines identification and data acquisi‐ tion, operating similarly to bar codes. Automatic identification procedures have recently be‐ come very popular in numerous service industries for purchasing and distribution logistics, and in manufacturing companies and material flow systems. Jaselskis and Anderson (1995) investigated the applications and limitations of RFID technology in the construction indus‐ try, and attached read/write RFID tags to the surfaces of concrete test that were cast from the job site to test lab. This RFID technology has been widely applied in many areas in the con‐ struction industries for the following reasons: (1) to provide owners and contractors with in‐ formation to enhance operation using RFID technology (Jaselskis and Tarek, 2003); (2) to propose a novel concept of "parts and packets unified architecture" in order to handle data or information related to a product carried by product itself by utilizing RFID technology (Yagi et al., 2005); (3) to apply RFID technology as a solution to problems in pipe spools, and identify potential economic benefits from adopting RFID technology in automated tracking (Song et al., 2006); (4) to apply RFID combined with GIS technology in order to locate pre‐ cast concrete components with minimal worker input in the storage yard (Ergen et al., 2006); (5) to improve the efficiency of tracing tools and tool availability using RFID (Goodrum et al., 2006); (6) to develop mobile construction supply chain system integrated with RFID tech‐ nology (Wang et al., 2006); (7) to describe a prototype of an advanced tower crane equipped with wireless video control and RFID technology (Lee et al., 2006); (8) to improve tracing of material on construction using materials tagged with RFID tags (Song et al., 2006); (9) to present strategy and information system to manage the progress control of structural steel works using RFID and 4D CAD (Chin et al., 2008); (10) to enhance precast production man‐ agement system integrated with RFID application (Yin et al., 2009), and (11) to present a new methodology for managing construction document information using RFID-based se‐

The use of technology to improve delivery process control is not a novel concept. Many in‐ dustries have applied barcodes to track materials for many years. Construction companies began to examine the use of barcodes for tool management in the early 1990s. Although bar‐ code is an established and affordable technology, it has presented problems in the construc‐ tion industry due to the short read range and poor durability of barcodes — a barcode

An RFID system is composed of an RFID tag and an RFID reader. The RFID tag comprises a small microchip and an antenna. Data are stored in the tag, generally as a unique serial number. The RFID tags can be either passive (no battery) or active (battery present). Active tags are more expensive than passive tags and have a read range of 10–100 meters. Passive tags have a read range of 10mm to approximately 5m (Manish and Shahram, 2005). The vast

The RFID reader functions as a transmitter/receiver. The reader transmits an electromagnet‐ ic field that "wakes up" the tag and provides the power required for it to operate (Lahiri, 2005). The tag then transfers data to the reader via the antenna. This data are then read by

requires a line of sight, and becomes unreadable when scratched or dirty.

majority of RFID tags applied in the construction industries are passive.

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a tagging technology that is gaining widespread at‐ tention due to the great number of advantages that it offers compared to the current tagging technologies being used today; like barcodes. Near Field Communication, or more common‐ ly known as NFC, is a subset of RFID that limits the range of communication to within 10 centimetres or 4 inches. Compared with Bluetooth and infrared, the main characteristic of NFC is quick, easy, security. Although the NFC data transmission speed is far less than the Bluetooth and infrared, the device only by the unilateral power supply to the operation of the device near to the rapid induction features, and greatly enhance the ease of use. Further‐ more of the NFC device requires very short communication distance. NFC technologies help to improve data security because it can reduce the data to the risk of being intercepted or stolen.

In recent years, due to the rapid development and popularization of the smartphone, a grow‐ ing number of mobile phone NFC functionality into the standard features. The NFC-enabled mobile phone through the sensor to read high-frequency band RFID tags or other NFC-ena‐ bled devices for data transmission via a simple touch can, and are widely used in the identifica‐ tion, communication, information obtained, consumption and other purposes provide fast and convenient communication, this study using NFC phones used in patrol operations and identi‐ fication of the site staff can enhance the operating convenience of mobility and reduce the cost of equipment to build, in order to improve the job the best solution.

Notably, RFID systems are one of the most anticipated technologies that will potentially transform processes in the engineering and construction industries. In the construction in‐ dustry, RFID technology can be utilized with smartphone, thereby allowing staff members to integrate seamlessly safety work processes in the jobsite, due to the ability to capture and carry data. With a NFC technology plugged into a smartphone, the RFID-enabled smart‐ phone is a powerful portable data collection tool. Additionally, RFID readings increase the accuracy and speed of information communication, indirectly enhancing performance and productivity.

The advantages of using mobile devices in the construction industry are well document‐ ed (Baldwin et al., 1994; Fayek et al., 1998; McCullough, 1997). Moreover, mobile devices have been applied in numerous construction industries, to provide the following support: (1) providing wearable field inspection systems (Sunkpho and Garrett, 2003); (2) support‐ ing pen-based computer data acquisition for recording construction surveys (Elzarka and Bell, 1997); (3) supporting collaborative and information-sharing platforms (Pena-Mora and Dwivedi, 2002); (4) using mobile computers to capture data for piling work (Ward et al., 2003), and (5) utilizing mobile devices in construction supply chain management sys‐ tems (Tserng et al., 2005).
