Abstract:
Currently, modular building construction (MBC) is gaining in popularity as an alternative to
conventional on-site building construction (CBC). While the appearance of modular
buildings is most often indistinguishable from conventionally constructed buildings, their
interaction with other key infrastructural systems such as transportation, energy, water and
waste management, varies greatly; however, very little if any research exists on the matter.
Thus, understanding these interactions and quantifying the impacts are essential to identify
ways to minimize their negative externalities. Conversely, it would be useful to understand
how transportation infrastructure can be adapted such that it positively impacts the trend
toward MBC.
The objective of this study is to identify opportunities to understand the interactions between
MBC and transportation infrastructure to provide a framework for future research that can
support a positive relationship between these two inherently integrated infrastructural
systems. To achieve this objective, a 2-part literature review wras conducted that maps the
infrastructural systems impacted by MBC with an emphasis on transportation systems. The
first section of the literature review focused on various published material on MBC methods,
through which the impacts of MBC on transportation system and vice versa were identified.
The analysis of this section pointed to instances of MBC which reduces the negative impact
on transportation systems due to building construction such as the reduced transportation
requirements of labor, site-overheads, and construction equipment to and from the site.
Similarly, it also pointed to instances where MBC presents challenges to the transportation
system compared to CBC such as the requirement of transporting large prefabricated building
components. The second section reviews existing life cycle impact assessments of MBC
methods, through which the overall impact of MBC
system was mapped.
