**7. Field tests and results**

Overall, the field test results indicate that HF passive RFID tags are effective tools for jobsite safety management in construction. The RFIDSIM system was installed on main server in the jobsite office. During the field trials, verification and validation tests were performed to evaluate the system. The verification aims to evaluate whether the system operates correctly according to the design and specification; and validation evaluates the usefulness of the sys‐ tem. The verification test was carried out by checking whether the RFIDSIM system can per‐ form tasks as specified in the system analysis and design. The validation test was undertaken by asking selected case participators to use the system, and provide feedback by answering a questionnaire. Some comments for future improvements of RFIDSIM system were also obtained from the case participators through user satisfaction survey. Table 1 shows a comparison using a traditional paper-based inspection approach and the proposed system. The next section presents the detailed results of the performance evaluation and the user survey conducted during the field trials.


**Figure 8.** displayed the process flowchart of RFIDSIM system.

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**Table 1.** System Evaluation Result

**Figure 8.** displayed the process flowchart of RFIDSIM system.

**Figure 7.** Ssplayed the staff updated the inspection information in jobsite checkpoint location

Overall, the field test results indicate that HF passive RFID tags are effective tools for jobsite safety management in construction. The RFIDSIM system was installed on main server in the jobsite office. During the field trials, verification and validation tests were performed to evaluate the system. The verification aims to evaluate whether the system operates correctly according to the design and specification; and validation evaluates the usefulness of the sys‐ tem. The verification test was carried out by checking whether the RFIDSIM system can per‐ form tasks as specified in the system analysis and design. The validation test was undertaken by asking selected case participators to use the system, and provide feedback by answering a questionnaire. Some comments for future improvements of RFIDSIM system were also obtained from the case participators through user satisfaction survey. Table 1 shows a comparison using a traditional paper-based inspection approach and the proposed system. The next section presents the detailed results of the performance evaluation and the

Proposed Approach Item

Method Used RFID-enabled smartphone to scan RFID tag

Access the system directly and share information

Use electronic forms Real-time Update database The system record automatically Access the system and refer directly

Method

Traditional Approach

Referring to Inspected item and checklist

**7. Field tests and results**

276 Radio Frequency Identification from System to Applications

user survey conducted during the field trials.

Paper forms Hard to check

Paper forms

Paper forms

Paper forms delivering

Inspection recording method Inspection data search speed Inspector location tracking Is inspection on schedule? Inspection history management Information Dissemination

**Table 1.** System Evaluation Result

Based on the result obtained from user satisfaction survey indicates that the RFIDSIM sys‐ tem is quite adaptable to the current jobsite safety management practices in construction job‐ site, and is attractive to users. This result implies that the RFIDSIM system was well designed, and could enhance the current time-consuming jobsite safety inspection manage‐ ment process. Furthermore, safety staff members just scan the RFID tag and send them elec‐ tronically to the RFIDSIM system. No additional work was required for any documentation

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The advantages and disadvantages of RFIDSIM system identified from the polite test stud‐ ies application are identified. However, safety staff members' satisfaction survey agree that the RFIDSIM system is useful for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of automated data acquisition and information collection in important check locations, thus assisting safe‐ ty managers and safety staff members in managing and monitoring the safety inspection processes of the building. Thus, HF passive tags are suited to jobsite safety management. The use of RFID and web technology to collect and capture information significantly en‐ hanced the efficiency of jobsite safety inspection processes in construction jobsite. Mobile RFID-enabled smartphone with NFC technology and tags are widely thought likely to im‐ prove in the future and significantly improving the safety inspection processes efficiency. In the cost analysis, the HF tags adopted in this study cost under \$1 US dollars each in 2012. The cost of these tags is decreasing every year. The total cost of the equipment applied in this study was \$3250 US dollars (including RFID-enabled smartphone with NFC technology reader and one server personal computer). Even the reader initial cost is higher, but it is function expanda‐ ble and really decreases human work. Experimental results demonstrate that RFIDSIM sys‐ tem can significantly enhance the safety inspection processes efficiency. The use of RFID

significantly decreases the overall safety inspection operation time and human cost.

lowing are inherent problems recognized during the case study.

hance protection and waterproof of RFID tags.

derground, corner, etc.).

**8. Conclusions**

inspection checkpoints always change the location.

The findings of this polite test revealed several limitations of the RFIDSIM system. The fol‐

**•** RFID tags attached to outdoor checkpoint are easily damaged because of external envi‐ ronmental pollution (such as dust, rain, etc.). Therefore, it is necessary to consider and en‐

**•** The cost of system implementation is high because of the non-permanent facilities of the site environment. The required cost increases because that most the temporary facilities,

**•** The RFIDSIM is required by the WiFi wireless network or 3G communications to transfer data. Sometime web-based communications in the jobsite safety checkpoints locations are weak and cause information disconnection because of the poor environment (such as un‐

This study presents a Mobile RFID-based safety inspection management (RFIDSIM) system that incorporates RFID technology and mobile devices to improve the effectiveness and con‐

or safety inspection analysis after the data collection.

**Figure 9.** displayed safety staff used RFID-enabled smartphone to scan RFID tags and edited the description in the smartphone.

**Figure 10.** displayed project manager entered the RFIDSIM system and accessed the safety inspection result.

Based on the result obtained from user satisfaction survey indicates that the RFIDSIM sys‐ tem is quite adaptable to the current jobsite safety management practices in construction job‐ site, and is attractive to users. This result implies that the RFIDSIM system was well designed, and could enhance the current time-consuming jobsite safety inspection manage‐ ment process. Furthermore, safety staff members just scan the RFID tag and send them elec‐ tronically to the RFIDSIM system. No additional work was required for any documentation or safety inspection analysis after the data collection.

The advantages and disadvantages of RFIDSIM system identified from the polite test stud‐ ies application are identified. However, safety staff members' satisfaction survey agree that the RFIDSIM system is useful for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of automated data acquisition and information collection in important check locations, thus assisting safe‐ ty managers and safety staff members in managing and monitoring the safety inspection processes of the building. Thus, HF passive tags are suited to jobsite safety management.

The use of RFID and web technology to collect and capture information significantly en‐ hanced the efficiency of jobsite safety inspection processes in construction jobsite. Mobile RFID-enabled smartphone with NFC technology and tags are widely thought likely to im‐ prove in the future and significantly improving the safety inspection processes efficiency.

In the cost analysis, the HF tags adopted in this study cost under \$1 US dollars each in 2012. The cost of these tags is decreasing every year. The total cost of the equipment applied in this study was \$3250 US dollars (including RFID-enabled smartphone with NFC technology reader and one server personal computer). Even the reader initial cost is higher, but it is function expanda‐ ble and really decreases human work. Experimental results demonstrate that RFIDSIM sys‐ tem can significantly enhance the safety inspection processes efficiency. The use of RFID significantly decreases the overall safety inspection operation time and human cost.

The findings of this polite test revealed several limitations of the RFIDSIM system. The fol‐ lowing are inherent problems recognized during the case study.

