Hierarchical evaluation of on-site environmental performance to enhance a green construction operation

The construction process generates multiple types of nuisances, such as noise, vibration, dust, etc., and it consumes natural resources. Therefore, efforts to improve environmental performance should be aimed not only at operating and maintaining built facilities but also at constructing them. The objective of this study is to develop an evaluation framework for measuring the environmental performance of a construction operation. The framework provides a dynamic and interactive process, which feeds back into continual monitoring and improvements in site operation. The study tried to minimise the adverse environmental impacts on construction sites, thereby enhancing green construction operations. Key performance indicators were identified in the evaluation model through the combined effort of an expert panel. A computerised prototype was developed to assist in applying the evaluation process. The environmental performance of a residential project was then appraised as a case study to demonstrate the applicability of the evaluation model. The proposed model can effectively quantify the environmental performance of the construction process and can be used as an on-site environmental management tool for green construction operations.