Integrating Task Component Design in Excavator–Truck Operation Planning: Enhancing Automation Systems through a Web-Based System
Source abstract
Abstract
Excavator–truck operations, characterized by their repetitive excavation and loading tasks, present a prime candidate for automation. While numerous studies have aimed to automate the earthworks, practical implementations remain scarce. This research introduces a task component design focused on excavator–truck operation planning to improve the functionality of an earthwork automation system. To address this, fundamental task primitives necessary for executing excavation tasks were engineered, and a web-based system was developed to automate the generation of work plans for both point and trench excavation through algorithmic processes. Additionally, a JSON-based protocol was introduced to facilitate efficient integration with other subsystems. Field tests were conducted to validate the effectiveness of the newly developed algorithm and protocol within the broader context of earthwork automation systems. The results demonstrated the successful implementation of the task components, confirming their operational viability and seamless integration into the existing earthwork automation framework.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Elevator Systems and Control · BIM and Construction Integration · Infrastructure Maintenance and Monitoring
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Stech E&C Inc., Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
Department of Civil Engineering, Korea National University of Transportation, Chungju 27469, Republic of Korea
Smart Construction Research Center, Korea Construction Equipment Technology Institute, Gunsan-si 54004, Republic of Korea
Funding
Technology Innovation Program or Industrial Strategic Technology Development Program-Development of Collaborated Self Control System and Unmanned Excavator Technology for an Automated Earthworks · Development of data management system for fleet management and data linkage of construction equipment in smart construction sites · Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE, Korea) · National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)
References (41)
Show source-provided references
1. Lee, S., Sharafat, A., Kim, I.S., and Seo, J. (2022). Development and Assessment of an Intelligent Compaction System for Compaction Quality Monitoring, Assurance, and Management. Appl. Sci., 12.10.3390/app12146855 ↗
2. Naji, K.K., Gunduz, M., Alhenzab, F., Al-Hababi, H., and Al-Qahtani, A. (2024). Assessing the Digital Transformation Readiness of the Construction Industry Utilizing the Delphi Method. Buildings, 14.10.3390/buildings14030601 ↗
3. An Approach for Solid Modeling and Equipment Fleet Management towards Low-Carbon Earthwork
4. Park, S., and Kim, S. (2024). 3D Point Cloud Dataset of Heavy Construction Equipment. Appl. Sci., 14.10.3390/app14093599 ↗
5. Damage Prevention for Underground Utilities Using Machine Guidance10.1016/j.autcon.2019.102893 ↗
6. Sharafat, A., Khan, M.S., Latif, K., Tanoli, W.A., Park, W., and Seo, J. (2021). BIM-GIS-Based Integrated Framework for Underground Utility Management System for Earthwork Operations. Appl. Sci., 11.10.3390/app11125721 ↗
7. Graphical Control Interface for Construction and Maintenance Equipment10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2000)126:3(210) ↗
8. Herc Rentals Inc. (2024, April 30). How the Right Excavator Improves Project Efficiency and Productivity. Available online: https://blog.hercrentals.com/earthmoving/how-the-right-excavator-improves-project-efficiency-and-productivity/.
9. (2024, April 30). BuildWitt What Is an Excavator and What’s It Used for?. Available online: https://www.buildwitt.com/learning-hub/dirt-101/what-is-an-excavator-used-for.
10. Saunier, L., Hoffmann, N., Preda, M., and Fetita, C. (2023). Virtual Reality Interface Evaluation for Earthwork Teleoperation. Electronics, 12.10.3390/electronics12194151 ↗
11. 3D Design Modeling Application in Machine Guidance System for Earthwork Operations10.1007/s12205-018-0309-y ↗
12. (2024, April 30). P-Fleet Different Types of Construction Trucks and Equipment Explained. Available online: https://www.pfleet.com/blog/types-of-construction-trucks-and-equipment-explained.
13. Kim, J., Lee, S., Seo, J., Lee, D.-E., and Choi, H.S. (2021). The Integration of Earthwork Design Review and Planning Using UAV-Based Point Cloud and BIM. Appl. Sci., 11.10.3390/app11083435 ↗
14. Spatial Factors Affecting the Loading Efficiency of Excavators10.1016/j.autcon.2014.08.002 ↗
15. Modular Data Communication Methods for a Robotic Excavator10.1016/j.autcon.2018.02.007 ↗
16. Task Planner Design for an Automated Excavation System10.1016/j.autcon.2011.03.013 ↗
17. Folgado, F., Calderón, D., González, I., and Calderón, A. (2024). Review of Industry 4.0 from the Perspective of Automation and Supervision Systems: Definitions, Architectures and Recent Trends. Electronics, 13.10.3390/electronics13040782 ↗
18. A Robotic Excavator for Autonomous Truck Loading10.1023/A:1008914201877 ↗
19. Optimization of the Excavator-and-Dump Truck Complex at Open Pit Mines–the Case Study10.1051/e3sconf/20184101006 ↗
20. Interaction Analysis for Vision-Based Activity Identification of Earthmoving Excavators and Dump Trucks10.1016/j.autcon.2017.12.016 ↗
21. Optimal Cut-Fill Pairing and Sequencing Method in Earthwork Operation10.1016/j.autcon.2017.12.010 ↗
22. Kim, J., and Seo, J. (2011, January 29). Task Planner for Autonomous Excavator Considering Work Environment. Proceedings of the 28th ISARC, Seoul, Korea.10.22260/ISARC2011/0143 ↗
23. Task Planning Strategy and Path Similarity Analysis for an Autonomous Excavator10.1016/j.autcon.2020.103108 ↗
24. Chui, M., and Mischke, J. (2024, April 30). Global Infrastructure Initiative the Impact and Opportunities of Automation in Construction Courtesy of Autodesk: Royal BAM Group’s BAM Infra and Saint-Gobain Weber Beamix Demonstrate the Use of a 3-D Printing Robot for Offsite Manufacturing for Construction. Available online: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/operations/our-insights/the-impact-and-opportunities-of-automation-in-construction/.
25. Automation and Robotics in Construction and Civil Engineering10.1007/s10846-015-0252-9 ↗
26. Yousif, O.S., Zakaria, R.B., Aminudin, E., Yahya, K., Mohd Sam, A.R., Singaram, L., Munikanan, V., Yahya, M.A., Wahi, N., and Shamsuddin, S.M. (2021). Review of Big Data Integration in Construction Industry Digitalization. Front. Built Environ., 7.10.3389/fbuil.2021.770496 ↗
27. A Path Generation Method Considering the Work Behavior of Operators for an Intelligent Excavator
28. Vazquez-Santiago, K., Goh, C.F., Basdeo, R., and Shimada, K. (2023, January 26–30). Optimization Framework for Global Path Planning and Local Motion Planning for Robotic Welding of Multiple Large Industrial Parts. Proceedings of the 2023 IEEE 19th International Conference on Automation Science and Engineering (CASE), Auckland, New Zealand.10.1109/CASE56687.2023.10260659 ↗
29. An Autonomous Excavator System for Material Loading Tasks10.1126/scirobotics.abc3164 ↗
30. Alhasan, A., and White, D.J. (2016). Earthwork Haul-Truck Cycle-Time Monitoring: A Case Study, Iowa State University.
31. Robotic Autonomous Systems for Earthmoving in Military Applications10.1016/j.autcon.2019.102934 ↗
32. Sensing, Perception, Decision, Planning and Action of Autonomous Excavators10.1016/j.autcon.2022.104428 ↗
33. Simulation of Automated Dump Trucks for Large Scale Surface Mining Operations10.1076/ijsm.17.3.183.14770 ↗
34. Dispatch Control of a Fleet of Remote-Controlled/Automatic Load-Haul-Dump Vehicles in Underground Mines10.1080/00207549108948087 ↗
35. Ferrein, A., Reke, M., Scholl, I., Decker, B., Limpert, N., Nikolovski, G., and Schiffer, S. (2023, January 22–24). Towards a Fleet of Autonomous Haul-Dump Vehicles in Hybrid Mines. Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Agents and Artificial Intelligence—(Volume 1), Lisbon, Portugal.10.5220/0011693600003393 ↗
36. Kim, I.-S., Latif, K., Kim, J., Sharafat, A., Lee, D.-E., and Seo, J. (2022). Vision-Based Activity Classification of Excavators by Bidirectional LSTM. Appl. Sci., 13.10.3390/app13010272 ↗
37. Productivity Analysis of Excavator and Dump Truck Heavy Equipment on Digging and Loading Works Flood Control Afvoer Watudakon Mojokerto10.26418/jtst.v23i2.61025 ↗
38. Zhao, Z., and Bi, L. (2020). A New Challenge: Path Planning for Autonomous Truck of Open-Pit Mines in The Last Transport Section. Appl. Sci., 10.10.3390/app10186622 ↗
39. Cell-Based Construction Site Simulation Model for Earthmoving Operations Using Real-Time Equipment Location Data10.1186/s40327-015-0025-3 ↗
40. (2023, December 18). ALEX 2.6—Why Functions Are Useful, and How to Use Them Effectively. Available online: https://www.learncpp.com/cpp-tutorial/why-functions-are-useful-and-how-to-use-them-effectively/.
41. (2023, December 18). Private: Learning Math: Patterns, Functions, and Algebra. Available online: https://www.learner.org/series/learning-math-patterns-functions-and-algebra/functions-and-algorithms/.