Infrastructure Engineering - Research Publications
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ItemForeword(Open Book Publishers, 2019-11-01)
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ItemInitiation of capital projects in industries having an operational focus: an Australian stevedoring case example(Emerald, 2020-12-15)Purpose: The initiation phase of capital projects is critical as this is where the highest number of options exist for modifying the project with minimal expenditure. Government and large organisations frequently involved in major capital projects have extensive procedures for this phase, yet organisations having an operational focus (like major container terminal stevedores), that only occasionally undertake capital projects face the dilemma of the trade-off between project planning and the management of operations. This research reported in this paper investigated the impact of industry operational considerations on the initiation of capital projects. Design: In addition to an extensive literature review, a living research investigation of real projects initiated by a stevedoring company operating in Australia has been observed; the primary author of this paper spent six months as a participant/observer and witnessed the initiation of 12 capital projects. The collected data was qualitatively analysed using a four-step coding method. Findings: The findings confirm that project initiation is a challenge for organisations who only spasmodically undertake capital projects and available project management frameworks do not necessarily consider the impact of such an organisation's culture. Issues identified that may have a negative impact on the initiation phase include lack of workplace trust, high individualism, ineffective interdepartmental communication, lack of resources and engineering and safety complexity. Originality: The study investigated an underexplored industry within the context of project initiation, using the Australian stevedoring as a case study. This initial investigation suggests that a tailored project management framework is needed for the initiation phase of projects to reflect the unique nature of the stevedoring industry and by inference other industries that have a strong operational focus.
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ItemConnection to Nature( 2020-12-10)Melbourne School of Engineering, Health and Wellbeing Session, 10 December 2020
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ItemReliability-Based Decision Support Framework for Major Changes to Social Infrastructure PPP Contracts(MDPI AG, 2020)In the operational phase of public-private partnership (PPP) contracts, undue delay in addressing real needs may lead to poor service outcomes; conversely, commencing variations to a PPP agreement on the whim of end-user runs the risk of reducing the value created by detailed structuring and considerations undertaken in establishing agreement. This difficulty is exasperated as there is generally a lack of understanding by the end-user as to the specifics of service delivery performance requirements contracted. In order to address this question, this study, for the first time, develops a reliability-based decision support framework (RDSF) that incorporates end-user’s perceived service quality (i.e., how satisfied it is with the space, operation and maintenance activities) with those specified in the PPP agreement, and further identifies when the gap between end-user’s expectations and contractual obligations warrants reconsideration. This developed framework is then implemented to test the data gathered from three PPP schools in Australia based on both a current snapshot of performance data, i.e., abatements as gathered through contract documents and end-user’s perception through in-depth interviews, and a projected scenario of the future as well. Reliability analysis used here compares time-dependent risk profiles of current and expected performance and thereby identifies major changes in a PPP contract that would sensibly require reconsideration. The specific results indicate there is no current difficulty between end-user’s perception and the contract. However, the projected long-term scenario demonstrates how the decision framework can identify areas for review and changes if end-users are more dissatisfied with the service being achieved. The RDSF is capable of quantifying current service performance, considering the engagement of the end-user. Thus it enriches theories in the field of performance management system (PMS), and also contributes to knowledge regarding an evidence-based test for justifying possible agreement modifications or additional works in social PPPs operations. In addition, guidance for performance improvement strategies in aspects of the dissatisfied area is also provided. Application of this approach would assist in maintaining the long-term value for money of social infrastructure PPP agreements.
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ItemA Systematic Content Review of Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things Applications in Smart Home(MDPI AG, 2020-04-28)This article reviewed the state-of-the-art applications of the Internet of things (IoT) technology applied in homes for making them smart, automated, and digitalized in many respects. The literature presented various applications, systems, or methods and reported the results of using IoT, artificial intelligence (AI), and geographic information system (GIS) at homes. Because the technology has been advancing and users are experiencing IoT boom for smart built environment applications, especially smart homes and smart energy systems, it is necessary to identify the gaps, relation between current methods, and provide a coherent instruction of the whole process of designing smart homes. This article reviewed relevant papers within databases, such as Scopus, including journal papers published in between 2010 and 2019. These papers were then analyzed in terms of bibliography and content to identify more related systems, practices, and contributors. A designed systematic review method was used to identify and select the relevant papers, which were then reviewed for their content by means of coding. The presented systematic critical review focuses on systems developed and technologies used for smart homes. The main question is ”What has been learned from a decade trailing smart system developments in different fields?”. We found that there is a considerable gap in the integration of AI and IoT and the use of geospatial data in smart home development. It was also found that there is a large gap in the literature in terms of limited integrated systems for energy efficiency and aged care system development. This article would enable researchers and professionals to fully understand those gaps in IoT-based environments and suggest ways to fill the gaps while designing smart homes where users have a higher level of thermal comfort while saving energy and greenhouse gas emissions. This article also raised new challenging questions on how IoT and existing developed systems could be improved and be further developed to address other issues of energy saving, which can steer the research direction to full smart systems. This would significantly help to design fully automated assistive systems to improve quality of life and decrease energy consumption.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableGreen Buildings in Makassar, Indonesia(Springer Nature, 2020)Indonesia has one of the world’s largest populations, which creates a demand for buildings. Construction and operation of buildings have impacts on environment. To create sustainable cities, Indonesia applied the smart cities concept and selected Makassar as one of three role model cities. This chapter explores the current situation in Makassar with respect to green building adoption, the challenges faced and opportunities in market transformation. The Green Building Council of Indonesia (GBCI) in Makassar is heavily involved with market transformation for green building practices and has four main activities: market transformation, training and education, green building certification and stakeholder engagement. GBCI has developed the GREENSHIP rating tool, an assessment system covering categories associated with the green building concept as it applies to Indonesia. The embracing of the green building concept, however, is still low in Makassar. Market transformation is a challenging task, and there is still a lack of formal education programmes and courses available to architects, engineers and the construction industry to drive the transformation. The initial higher cost of green building presents as a major barrier to the uptake of green building even though these costs are mitigated after a period of 4–5 years through a reduction in operational costs. Government regulations that support green building practices and education of the community about the benefits of green building may support/improve uptake of green building.
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ItemPotential Infrastructure Enhancements for Ports and Cities: Conclusions, Future Research and Policy Concepts(Open Book Publishers, 2019)The final chapter of this research monograph draws together key points from each of the chapters. It summarises key findings from the research and poses questions that would benefit from future/further research.
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ItemInitial Investigation into the Effectiveness of Australian Ports’ Governance and Management Structures(Open Book Publishers, 2019)The ninth chapter considers effectiveness of port governance and management structures in Australia. It briefly reviews Australian port reform, before considering private, local and international investment in Australia; the make-up of investors in major city ports in Australia; and the need to carefully assess foreign investment in critical infrastructure. Asset recycling in Australia is discussed. Factors identified from focus group discussions (in Australia) with key port stakeholders that help improve or act as obstacles to governance/policy, and that help improve or hinder management structures in ports, are also presented.
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ItemRevealing Indonesian Port Competitiveness: Challenge and Performance(Open Book Publishers, 2019)The eighth chapter considers Indonesian port competitiveness. It notes that the Indonesian government is in the midst of planning broad policies and strategies concerning maritime and port development and has recently provided a reform package to improve logistics in the country to improve the supply chain. Results from focus group meetings, a detailed questionnaire and in-depth interviews with key port industry stakeholders and financial bodies in Indonesia are presented. Problematic factors contributing to port problems were identified from the perspective of research participants. The chapter identifies important aspects of port competitiveness: government support, business support and operational performance. Despite general support towards the government policies in facilitating port investment, there seems to be a substantial gap between policy expectation and policy realisation.
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ItemComparative Efficiency Analysis of Australian and Indonesian Ports(Open Book Publishers, 2019)A comparative analysis of Australian and Indonesian port efficiency is presented in the sixth chapter. The analysis utilises the Data Envelope Analysis model to quantify and measure the efficiency of ports, focusing on port and container cargoes. Ports included in the benchmarking included major Australian, Indonesian and Chinese international ports. International benchmarking of port facilities provides an opportunity to identify areas for improvement.