Oyediran, A; Oke, A E; Ikuabe, M; Aliu, J; Adeosun, F E and Aigbavboa, C O (2025) Exploring application areas of cyber-physical systems in the construction industry: A case of Nigeria. International Journal of Construction Management, 25(15), pp. 1811-1823. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
The growing demand for sustainable, intelligent and resilient infrastructure has accelerated the adoption of advanced technologies in the AEC industry. To meet the evolving demands of modern-age developments, Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) emerged as a transformative paradigm fostering innovative solutions. This study seeks to explore the application areas of CPS in the AEC industry. A quantitative research approach was adopted using survey questionnaires with random sampling. Data were analyzed using Mean Item Score, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Kruskal-Wallis test and Standard Deviation. Findings revealed CPS is mostly applied in communication, environmental monitoring, security, project control and data storage in the construction industry, while CPS applications in metropolitan-scale deployments, traffic engineering and transportation control remain underutilized in Nigeria. Further analysis using EFA unveiled seven major clusters of CPS application areas: (1) Sustainable Urban Infrastructure Planning (2) Project Lifecycle Management (3) Enhanced Construction Operations (4) Construction Process Optimization (5) Urban Construction Integration (6) Project Performance Optimization (7) Construction Efficiency. The study concludes that CPS application significantly impacts construction autonomy, efficiency, security, safety and the implementation of sustainable resilience practices. This study will serve as a roadmap for stakeholders, SMEs, policymakers, technologists and researchers to leverage CPS for sustainable infrastructural optimizations and transformative change.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | automation; construction digitalization; cyber-physical systems; project performance; project resilience; sustainable cities and communities |
| Index terms: | sampling, project performance, project lifecycle management, paradigm, project control, automation, construction industry, implementation, traffic engineering, quantitative research, efficiency, Nigeria, construction operation, sustainable city, deviation, questionnaire, environmental monitoring, construction process, integration, digitalization, data storage, exploratory factor analysis, survey, urban infrastructure |
| Subjects: | data analysis and analytics, financial and cost management, control systems, data collection methods, industry analysis, infrastructure and transport systems, statistical analysis, organizational analysis, data management, project management theory and practice, education and knowledge transfer, performance management, construction operations, contractual arrangements, digital technology, environmental impact, project completion, transportation engineering, building construction, automation and robotics, Geography, urban design |
| Topics: | Procurement, Sustainability, Project Management, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, Quality Management, Cost Management, Research Practice, Site Management, Organizational Design, Digital Applications, Urban Studies |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here