{"id":8377,"date":"2026-04-09T15:19:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T18:19:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ponddeshpande.ca\/?page_id=8377"},"modified":"2026-04-16T10:20:28","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T13:20:28","slug":"digital_monitoring","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ponddeshpande.ca\/fr\/blog\/digital_monitoring\/","title":{"rendered":"Measure Once, Save Twice: How Digital Monitoring Cuts Costs and Carbon on the Jobsite"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/div><\/div><\/span>

Blog Post<\/span><\/h3><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/span>Anna Robak, P.Eng, PhD
<\/em>Executive Director, Research & Innovation \u2013 WSP Canada
Adjunct Professor, Department of Civil Engineering <\/em>\u2013 <\/span>UNB
<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div>

Measure Once, Save Twice:
\n<\/span><\/span>How Digital Monitoring Cuts Costs and <\/span><\/span>C<\/span><\/span>arbon on the Jobsite<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

For construction SMEs, sustainability is no longer a separate initiative\u2014it\u2019s quickly becoming a practical response to rising costs and tighter expectations. That\u2019s because, when paired with technology that measures, manages, and reports what\u2019s happening on the jobsite, SMEs can track and improve carbon emissions and waste, while savings costs.<\/span><\/p>\n

This article lays out: <\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Why sustainability is becoming a bottom-line issue for SMEs,<\/b><\/span> <\/span><\/em><\/li>\n
  2. Why digital monitoring is a practical starting point, and<\/span> <\/span><\/em><\/li>\n
  3. A shortlist of SME-friendly technologies that can reduce costs while improving sustainability and reporting.<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The <\/span>cost of construction projects is escalating<\/u><\/span><\/a> due to climate change and its impacts on workers, supply chains, and insurance. If sustainability feels like one extra thing to deal with, consider that jobsite and fleet technologies can pay back quickly\u2014for example, digital tracking and GPS have been associated with fuel savings of up to 30%, while also improving safety and timelines. On top of that, measurable data <\/span>makes service providers more attractive<\/u><\/span><\/a> to provincial and federal government clients pursuing green bonds and other sustainability-linked financing. <\/span>Bai et al (2025)<\/u><\/span><\/a>, for example, have shown that measuring jobsite operational efficiency makes companies more attractive to financiers.<\/p>\n

    <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

    <\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    Why start with monitoring?<\/span><\/p>\n

    Because it helps direct your efforts and offers the carbon reduction evidence financiers look for. Capturing basics like equipment utilization, idle time, material movement, and site access creates a simple baseline\u2014one you can use to cut waste and costs immediately, and then reuse the same evidence in bids, client reporting, and financing conversations.<\/span><\/p>\n

    One of the highest-impact monitoring investments for many construction SMEs is a real-time location system (RTLS). RTLS creates a digital map of a site where equipment, materials, and personnel can be located in real time using tags and sensors. In practice, this approach helps teams spend less time searching for assets; reduces losses and unauthorized removal through geofencing; improves site logistics by reducing movements and deliveries; and supports safety through collision avoidance and automated alerts.<\/span><\/p>\n

    There are other technologies that can support sustainability while also reducing costs (see Table 1). The shortlist focuses on options that<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. have a clear cost-saving pathway,<\/span> <\/span><\/i><\/span><\/li>\n
    2. generate data that can be used for reporting, and<\/span> <\/span><\/i><\/span><\/li>\n
    3. are realistic for SMEs to adopt.<\/span><\/span> <\/i><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      RTLS is one of the most wide-ranging\u2014touching safety, cost reduction, waste, and emissions\u2014but it does require investment, so GPS fleet tracking can be an easier first step.<\/span><\/p>\n

      In New Brunswick, RTLS adoption among construction SMEs appears to be limited\u2014my working estimate is under 10%<\/span>[1]<\/sup><\/span><\/a>.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

      Table 1. SME-worthy construction technologies to improve sustainability and reduce costs<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
      \n
      Technology<\/strong> <\/span><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n
      		\n
      Sustainability Benefit<\/b> <\/span><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n
      		\n
      Cost-Saving Potential<\/b> <\/span><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n
      		\n
      SME Accessibility<\/b><\/span> <\/span><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS)<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\nReduces fuel use, idle time, and material waste through just-in-time delivery<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\nUp to <\/span>10%<\/span><\/a> overall construction cost savings; <\/span>64%<\/span><\/a> labor savings on long projects; up to 50% accident reduction <\/span> <\/span><\/td>\nHigh<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      GPS Fleet Tracking<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\nCuts emissions and fuel use by optimizing routes and reducing unauthorized use<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\nUp to <\/span>30%<\/span><\/a> fuel savings<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\nHigh<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Carbon Tracking & ESG Tools<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\nEnables <\/span>transparent reporting of embodied and operational carbon<\/span><\/a> <\/span><\/td>\nHelps win sustainability-focused bids; supports compliance<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\nHigh<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Machine Tracking & Predictive Maintenance<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\nImproves uptime, reduces breakdowns and emissions from inefficient equipment<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\nReduces repair costs by <\/span>10-40%<\/span><\/a>; reduces downtime by up to <\/span>50%<\/span><\/a>; improves scheduling and productivity<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\nHigh<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      BIM (Building Information Modeling)<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\nImproves design accuracy, reduces rework, supports lifecycle carbon tracking<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\n16\u201320%<\/span><\/a> cost reduction; <\/span>200% ROI<\/span><\/a> with IPD contracts<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\nMedium<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Modular \/ Off-Site Construction<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\nReduces material waste, emissions from transport, and on-site energy use<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\nUp to 40-<\/span><\/span>90% waste reduction<\/span><\/a>; <\/span>20\u201350% faster timelines<\/span><\/a> <\/span><\/td>\nMedium<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Low-Carbon Concrete (e.g., CarbonCure)<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\nReduces embodied carbon in concrete without compromising strength<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\nComparable cost<\/span><\/a> to traditional concrete <\/span>(validated by the <\/span>Carbon Leadership Forum<\/span><\/a>)<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

       <\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		Medium<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      AI-Driven Energy Modeling<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\nOptimizes building design for energy efficiency and carbon reduction<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\nUp to <\/span>30% reduction<\/span><\/a> in lifetime building emissions<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\nMedium<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Electrified Equipment & Fleets<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\n98% reduction in carbon emissions<\/span><\/a>; reduces noise and maintenance<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\nUp to <\/span>25% lower operating costs<\/span><\/a>; long-term fuel savings<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\nLow\u2013Medium<\/span> <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

      These technologies make companies in the construction industry more competitive not only because of the reduced operating costs, but also because they:<\/p>\n