2019 Best Paper Award

The editorial board of the ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018/2019 best paper award: Ali Mirzaei, Farnad Nasirzadeh, Majid Parchami Jalal, and Yasin Zamani for the article entitled “4D-BIM Dynamic Time–Space Conflict Detection and Quantification System for Building Construction Projects,” which appeared in the July 2018 issue of the Journal [https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001504].

The authors have developed a software application that detects conflicts where crews would interfere with each other, because they are assigned by schedule to occupy the same space at the same time. Compared to previously developed systems, this one is an improvement because it addresses several important subtleties in the conflict-detection process. For example, two crews can both be assigned to the same workspace if the worker density is low enough so as not to impede productivity. The application can also consider that crews might be assigned to different locations within the same space in such a way that they do not interfere with each other. Users can specify reasonably realistic circulation patterns, so that that the application can determine if it is possible for the crews to be assigned to the same space, yet avoid conflict. Additionally, the application considers the need for workers to use scaffolds, scissors lifts, and other access aids for safe work at height. With knowledge of the type of access aid being used, the application can assess possible interference for workers performing tasks at floor level. The result is that users can evaluate the resource constraint of space in a much more realistic way; such realism enhances construction planning and scheduling.

This paper was selected from a field of 152 manuscripts that were published from July 2018 to June 2019 in the Journal of Construction Engineering and Management. For this awards cycle, the Awards Committee included the following editorial board members: Dr. Young Hoon Kwak, Dr. Young Bai, Dr. Michael Garvin, Dr. Carolyn M. Clevenger, Dr. Eddy M. Rojas, Dr. Carlos H. S. Caldas, Dr. Seungjun ”Jun” Ahn, Dr. Changbum “Ryan” Ahn, and Dr. Reza Akhavian, with Dr. Charles T. Jahren serving as the Chair. Special thanks are due to Dr. Daniel Tran, Dr. Mounir El Asmar, and Dr. M. Phil Lewis for providing additional reviews for other ASCE awards. Thanks to the other editorial board members, authors, reviewers, and readers who help to make this Journal a success and this award meaningful.