Advanced
search

To read this content please select one of the options below:

Digital information technologies for prevention through design (PtD): a literature review and directions for future research

Karim Farghaly (Centre for Systems Engineering and Innovation, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK)
William Collinge (Department of Mechanical Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK)
Mojgan Hadi Mosleh (Department of Mechanical Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK)
Patrick Manu (Department of Mechanical Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK)
Clara Man Cheung (Department of Mechanical Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK)

Construction Innovation

ISSN: 1471-4175

Article publication date: 9 September 2021

Issue publication date: 28 November 2022

734

Abstract

Purpose

With the rapid development of digital information and modelling software applications for construction, questions have arisen about their impact on construction safety. Meanwhile, recognition that designers can help reduce risks involved in construction, operation and maintenance via a prevention through design (PtD) approach (also known as design for safety) highlights the significance of digital technologies and tools to PtD. Thus, this paper aims to provide a systematic review of a wide range of digital technologies for enhancing PtD.

Design/methodology/approach

A five-stage systematic literature review with coding and synthesis of findings is presented. The review covers journal articles published between 2000 and 2020 related to the applications of various digital technologies, such as building information modelling (BIM), 4D, databases, ontologies, serious games, virtual reality and augmented reality, for addressing safety issues during the design phase in construction.

Findings

Analysis of the articles yielded a categorisation of the digital applications for PtD into four main areas: knowledge-based systems; automatic rule checking; hazard visualization; and safety training for designers. The review also highlighted designers’ limited knowledge towards construction safety and the possibility to address this by using gaming environments for educating designers on safety management and using artificial intelligence for predicting hazards and risks during design stage in a BIM environment. Additionally, the review proposes other directions for future research to enhance the use of digital technologies for PtD.

Originality/value

This paper contextualises current digital technology applications for construction health and safety and enables future directions of research in the field to be identified and mapped out.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The researchers wish to extend appreciation to the Lloyd’s Register Foundation for funding this research as part of the Discovering Safety Programme.

Citation

Farghaly, K., Collinge, W., Mosleh, M.H., Manu, P. and Cheung, C.M. (2022), "Digital information technologies for prevention through design (PtD): a literature review and directions for future research", Construction Innovation, Vol. 22 No. 4, pp. 1036-1058. https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-02-2021-0027

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

Related articles

Manage cookies

We’re listening — tell us what you think

Join us on our journey