Abstract

SHAKANTU, WM; BOWEN, PA; MUYA, M  and  TOOKEY, JE. Assessment of construction vehicle utilisation efficiency: a case study. JCMAN [online]. 2008, vol.5, n.1, pp.182-204. ISSN 1815-7440.

Construction operations utilize large quantities of materials and generate significant levels of waste. Moving these quantities of materials and waste requires significant loaded vehicle transits annually. Given the cost/volume ratio of transport, logistics should be given a pre-eminent role in construction. However, little research has been conducted to ascertain the logistics processes in the construction industry. Notwithstanding the pivotal role transportation has within construction, this element of logistics has rarely been addressed and is little understood within the industry. The purpose of this paper is to document the results of a study investigating the utilisation efficiency of vehicles used in the transportation of building materials and construction and demolition (C) waste. A field study was conducted on seven (7) sites in Cape Town to establish the dynamics of construction materials and C waste transportation in order to deliver a set of criteria for the assessment of vehicle utilisation efficiency. The key finding from the field study is that vehicle utilisation at only 50% is sub-optimal.

Keywords : Construction logistics; C & D waste; materials delivery; vehicle utilisation efficiency.

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