| Abstract |
A Construction Consolidation Centre (CCC) aims to promote the efficient flow of construction materials through the supply chain to the work face on site. The Urban CCC (UCCC) would enhance performance of the construction site and reduce the impact on environmental issues such as congestion, pollution, and waste. Construction material, less bulk items such as aggregates, would be delivered to the UCCC, where they are formed into work packs, defined by the various contractors, and delivered to the work face, using 'just-in-time' criteria. This process combines (consolidates) multiple part loads into single deliveries and, hence, reduces vehicle movements to site. In this process, unnecessary packaging is removed for re-use or recycling. The material handlers will extract all unused material, manage and reduce waste, and maximise re-use. In the UK, construction consolidation has only been used in London and at Heathrow due to operational necessity (space, vehicle movement reduction and control), and which are largely project specific and temporary in nature. Where construction has not had those imperatives, contractors have chosen to revert to traditional, less efficient supply chain models with consequent negative impacts on the environment and community.The novelty of this project is in the design and operation of a semi-permanent UCCC spanning multiple projects with different start and end dates, providing a 'just-in-sequence' supply option to local construction sites, which targets congestion and environmental benefits in addition to operational savings. |
