Developing an RFID-based tracking system to improve the control of construction surplus soil disposal in Taiwan

The current tracking system for construction surplus disposal soil report system (CSRS) in Taiwan is labor-intensive and prone to human error, with its accuracy and effectiveness often questioned. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is a wireless sensing technology that uses radio waves and signals to wirelessly transmit, retrieve, and store data to identify the status of objects and contents. It can be read at long ranges and be operated in extreme environments. This paper has improved the existing construction surplus soil tracking system by developing an integrated RFID-based tracking system (RFID-CSRS). To accommodate the characteristics of the domain problems, RFID-CSRS integrates RFID technology with Internet infrastructure, cameras, and signal controlling units. The proposed system reduces human errors, such as incorrect manual recording and identification, inaccurate monthly reports and audits, and improper picture-taking of trucks. RFID-CSRS was also assembled and tested in two surplus soil disposal cases in Taiwan. The results demonstrated the soundness of the system and its capability to improve the effectiveness of the current system in tracking the disposal of construction surplus soil.