Use of Drones for construction in developing countries: barriers and strategic interventions

Abstract

Drones are argued to assist in alleviating the challenges and enhancing efficiency in construction. Using the construction industry of South Africa and India, and a survey research method, this study, explored the barriers and challenges, and the factors that influence the use of Drones in construction. Also, it evaluated strategies to enhance the use of Drones in construction. A survey research method that includes the collection of data from stakeholders of the construction industry from developing countries such as South Africa and India and relevant statistical methods including ordinal regression model estimation was used for this study. Findings suggested that several barriers and factors under economic, operational, social-legal & environmental, and construction-related aspects influence the use of Drones. However, five strategic measures that include the creation of objective government policy, regulations and legal provisions, enabling competency building through training and piloting licences, permitting airspace for use of Drones for construction in and around construction sites, budgeting the cost of Drones and their operation in the project cost, and creation of organizational culture for adopting technological change can enhance the use of Drones in the construction industry in developing countries.

Keywords:

• Construction
• developing countries
• drone
• sustainability
• unmanned aerial vehicles

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the respondents (stakeholders of the construction industry and experts) who participated in the survey.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.