At the UXBorough Development Phase 1 project in Calgary, PCL saw an opportunity to rethink how vertical transportation could be managed on a busy construction site. Traditional radio-based systems prone to delays and miscommunication.
“When we had our material hoist here people would call on each floor and the operator wouldn't be able to hear the call if the equipment was running,” says Superintendent James Henderson. “The operator had to be stopped on the floor to hear from the speaker because of all the construction noise around.”
Job Site Transport (JST) revolutionizes how hoist calls are managed. Workers can request a lift by scanning a QR code, instantly entering a digital queue visible to hoist operators on a tablet.
This real-time system prioritizes calls efficiently, significantly reducing idle time and miscommunication. The solution’s intuitive interface makes it accessible to all users, including those with limited tech experience, fostering widespread adoption and confidence in digital tools.
In one year, JST facilitated more than 49,000 successful lift and elevator trips at the UXBorough site. The solution improved turnaround times reduced unnecessary stops, and enhanced safety through features like emergency call requests. It also eliminated the need for multiple radios.
“The financial gain from implementing a single device instead of the rental of radios for each building was a large cost savings. Radios over time need maintenance, replacement, and incur monthly costs. That’s all eliminated by using this system,” says Senior Superintendent Tim Demler.
Beyond operational gains, JST empowered project teams with data-driven insights. The dashboard provided visibility into hoist utilization and wait times, enabling continuous improvement. By simplifying communication and optimizing labor and material movement, JST contributed to a more efficient, coordinated, and cost-effective job site.
The success of JST at UXBorough demonstrates the value of scalable, user-friendly technology in construction. Its seamless integration, high adoption rate, and measurable impact position it as a model for future projects. Looking forward, PCL sees potential to expand JST into horizontal transportation and larger-scale developments, continuing to drive innovation in job site logistics and digital transformation.
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