A New Model for Construction Material Logistics: From Local Optimization of Logistics Towards Global Optimization of On-Site Production System

Abstract

Research on construction on-site material logistics has mainly concentrated on how to best deliver materials on site or how to store the materials in constrained space. Less research has been done on the impact of logistics on labor productivity. The purpose of this research was to review empirical results related to logistics and labor productivity reported in literature as well as previous research on construction material logistics to come up with requirements of a new lean model for material logistics. Current research on construction logistics was found to focus on part of the problem and to offer partial solutions rather than globally optimize the production system. Indirect costs of logistics causing interference to other tasks or waste due to material transportation have not been extensively discussed but several empirical results can be potentially explained by logistics even though the research was not about logistics. The paper proposes a new model for construction material logistics and hypotheses to be evaluated in future empirical research or simulation studies. The paper is valuable for academics with research interests in construction logistics or productivity areas and for practitioners seeking productivity improvements.