Automated Construction Site Risk Assessment Using Image Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing manual methods for risk assessment in construction projects are prone to human error and subjectivity, leading to inaccurate and inconsistent identification of potential issues in construction site images, which can result in delays, cost overruns, and safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for determining impact parameters of observations in visual media content using machine learning and rules-based approaches, which identify and classify items, determine likelihood and severity impact parameters, and calculate risk factors based on historical data, providing objective and accurate risk assessments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual methods are used to identify issues in construction site images, then human monitors can provide subjective assessments and contextual understanding, but the process is prone to human error and subjectivity leading to inaccurate and inconsistent risk assessments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of issue identificationVSAvoidconsistency of risk assessment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of human visual inspection with an automated image analysis system using machine learning and computer vision algorithms. This substitution eliminates human error and subjectivity while maintaining the ability to identify and assess construction site issues consistently and accurately across multiple images and projects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically analyzing construction site images without requiring human monitors. The automated system independently identifies issues, determines their significance, and generates risk assessments, freeing human operators from manual review tasks while improving consistency and accuracy through rule-based objective evaluation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Quantity of substance

If human monitors manually review construction site images, then they can identify potential issues, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of images reviewedVSAvoidtime for risk assessment

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The automated image analysis system enables continuous processing of construction site images without the interruptions, fatigue, or sequential bottlenecks inherent in manual review. Multiple images can be analyzed simultaneously and continuously, dramatically increasing the quantity of images reviewed while reducing the time required for risk assessment through parallel processing and automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If automated image analysis is implemented, then consistency and accuracy improve, but the system complexity and development requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of observation identificationVSAvoidsystem implementation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex task of construction site risk assessment into distinct modular components: image acquisition, image processing, observation identification, significance determination, and risk assessment. This segmentation allows each component to be developed and optimized independently, reducing overall system implementation complexity while maintaining high accuracy through specialized algorithms for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system is designed as a universal platform that can analyze various types of construction site images and identify multiple categories of issues (safety hazards, quality problems, progress tracking). This multi-functionality reduces complexity by using a single integrated system rather than separate specialized tools for each assessment type, while maintaining accuracy through configurable parameters and rules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11967155B2Systems and methods for improving accuracy of identifying observations based on images and risk assessment techniques using such determinations

Publication Date: 2024.04.23 ONSITEIQ INC

AI summary

A system and method for identifying observations using images of a construction site. A method includes identifying observations in visual media content by identifying items shown in the visual media content, wherein each identified observation corresponds to at least one item of the identified items, wherein each observation corresponds to a type; determining a likelihood impact parameter for each of the observations by applying likelihood rules based on a classification of each of the corresponding at least one item and a ratio of historical incidents of the same type as the observation to a total number of projects in a time period; determining a severity impact parameter for each of the observations by applying severity rules based on an average cost of the historical incidents of the same type as the observation; and determining at least one risk factor for each observation based on its likelihood and severity impact parameters.