Hybrid discrete event simulation and virtual reality experimental setup for construction management research

Research and development of novel software to support production management in construction requires testing the application's impact on crew leaders' task allocation decisions. Given the difficulties with isolating cause and effect in field experiments, and the inadequacy of discrete event simulations (DESs) for the purpose of evaluating crew leaders' experience and performance, a novel experimental approach was sought that would provide the benefits of DES but would nevertheless allow observation of the behavioral aspects. A hybrid virtual construction site (VCS) system was devised and implemented, in which construction crew leaders were immersed in a virtual reality (VR) automated virtual environment where they worked in a DES-controlled site, with and without a prototype system, which was the object of the research. The VCS proved its efficacy by allowing the researchers to observe, record, and analyze the decision-making behavior of human subjects in a controlled environment, with high accuracy and in relatively very short times.