Construction on the whole is a challenging job but when it comes to the rural areas, it becomes even worse. Not because of the location but due to the unavailability of certain assets and facilities. Workers often avoid travelling to rural areas for the job hence, the construction companies mostly hire the locals as they are familiar with the challenges. But what makes it worse to work in the rural areas? 

Compared to their urban counterparts, construction projects in rural areas frequently face different difficulties. While urban locations enjoy the advantages of easily accessible public utilities, a large pool of available subcontractors, dependable transportation, robust cellphone coverage, and helpful local governments, rural building projects frequently take place in remote, inhospitable regions with little infrastructure. However, these difficulties can be successfully handled with the correct mindset, creative connectivity solutions, and careful preparation. However, this is not justified to only address the concerns and not take any measures to overcome this. Many experts have suggested a way out to cope with this situation. 

Inaccessible connectivity is the basis of the problem

Ensuring consistent connectivity and communication is one of the biggest challenges in rural construction. In contrast to metropolitan projects, where connectivity is rarely an issue, rural locations frequently lack the means of basic communication. But newer technologies, especially the Internet of Things (IoT), provide easy-to-use, reasonably priced ways to keep connected even in faraway places.

Construction companies need to make sure that communication is both economical and dependable when sending personnel to remote sites. Rural construction project managers find satellite messaging, tracking, and IoT systems to be important tools as they grow in strength, flexibility, and affordability.

Install GPS system to the job location

For instance, construction businesses frequently have to guarantee both the productivity of their operations and the safety of their employees when operating in remote places. A well-known construction company that installs and maintains power lines provides GPS messengers to its employees. GPS can easily be installed in heavy equipment like a trackhoe for sale, so that you may keep the location and data of the equipment safe in your devices. 

These compact, portable devices have a long battery life and are made to be durable. They can send quick texts that include GPS location markers. These reasonably priced gadgets allow employees to report progress, check in at each site, and call for assistance in an emergency. For example, a worker who became dehydrated while hiking to an inspection location called for help using the SOS option on his GPS messenger. Help arrived swiftly and treated the worker.

GPS Monitoring helps improve productivity 

Using pen and paper to track its trucks and heavy equipment proved to be inefficient for another construction company. They switched to solar-powered asset trackers, which communicated GPS coordinates on a regular basis to a digital map accessible over the internet. With real-time visibility into operations made possible by this technical advancement, resource deployment was greatly improved, and equipment rental and transportation expenses were decreased.

Use Tech to keep your asset safe from theft

Construction organizations are particularly concerned about the theft of mobile assets. The threat is frequently made worse in rural regions by organized crime. Heavy equipment merchants were hit by a wave of thefts and break-ins in one rural area. Dealers used geofencing to receive notifications if the equipment moved outside of a predetermined area and installed satellite asset trackers on their equipment as a countermeasure. The dealer was able to alert the authorities when the robbers struck again, and they swiftly captured the offenders thanks to the notifications. The tracking information was also very important for the prosecutions that followed.

Have you tried IoT solutions?

These days, a lot of construction organizations use IoT devices for purposes beyond simple tracking and communication. For example, a satellite transmitter can receive data from an ultrasonic sensor that is strapped to the bottom of tanks filled with liquid to measure the liquid levels. This keeps businesses from overspending and guarantees prompt resupply by enabling them to effectively control the fuel, propane, and water supplies at construction sites. 

IoT systems are also used to keep an eye on cathodic protection (CP) systems, which stop corrosion in metallic infrastructure. Frequent site inspections are necessary for traditional CP systems, and they are expensive and time-consuming. Modern IoT solutions, on the other hand, save a great deal of time and money by offering automated alerts and constant monitoring.

Satellite networks' power 

These advanced equipment and devices depend on strong satellite networks to operate. Optical fibre connects low-Earth orbit satellites to ground stations across the globe, which in turn connects to operations centres. In addition to managing the network, these centres offer customer support, set up digital mapping and geofencing applications, and supply edge application development software. 

Takeaway

Although development in remote areas has distinct difficulties, contemporary technology, especially the Internet of Things and satellite communication, provides workable answers. Construction organizations may use these technologies to secure assets, improve operational efficiency, guarantee worker safety, and maintain trustworthy communication. This will ultimately result in good project outcomes, even in the most remote areas.