Digital Commons Network^™

Is Madeira Airport The Beginning Of A Tourism Experience On The Island?, Helena Viríssimo, Jorge Abrantes

International Journal of Islands Research

Air transport is the main mode of transport used when traveling to the Autonomous Region of Madeira (ARM), Portugal. The airport and the entire airport infrastructure are essential for tourists to access the island. It is therefore important to assess their importance in the tourism development of the region and, to what extent, being the first and last experience with the destination, they impact the image and perception of passengers about the destination and their future desire to return. The present investigation, being exploratory, intends to evaluate the relationship between passenger satisfaction with airport services and its role in the …

A Deep Learning-Based Object Detection Framework For Automatic Asphalt Pavement Patch Detection Using Laser Profiling Images, Ibrahim Hassan Syed, Susan Mckeever Dr., Kieran Feighan, David Power, Dympna O'Sullivan

Conference papers

Road maintenance and the early detection of road defects rely on routine pavement inspections. While advanced 3D laser profiling systems have the capability to automatically identify certain types of distress such as cracks and ruts, more complex pavement damage, including patches, often require manual identification. To address this limitation, this study proposes an automated patch detection system that employs object detection techniques. The results demonstrate the ability of object detection models to accurately identify patches in laser profiling images, indicating that the proposed approach has the capability to significantly enhance automation in visual inspection processes. This has the potential for …

Sustainability Matchmaking: Exploration Into Using Excess Renewable Energy To Deliver ‘Free’ Energy To Fuel Poor Homes – A Preliminary Case Study In Ireland, Ciara Ahern, Ronan Oliver

Articles

The aggregated fuel cost of domestic hot water (DHW) generation in Ireland, in 2022, was €529M with associated emissions/load of 1.3MtCO₂/289GWh. The shadow price of carbon monetises the negative impact of emissions, rising with time; DHW generation has an associated shadow carbon cost of €13M in 2022, rising to €42M in 2030 and €335M in 2050.

In 2020, c12%/€441M of wind was curtailed or wasted as inter alia, there was no demand at times of high wind. Meanwhile, a ‘silent crisis’ is occurring in Ireland wherein one-in-two dwellings were considered in fuel poverty in 2022. Households in …

Using Bim Technologies To Calculate And Visualise The Global Warming Potential Of Building Materials, Ryan Dempsey, Malachy Mathews Dr.

Conference Papers

The built environment has a significant potential to reduce carbon emissions and raw material consumption. Digitisation processes such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can offer solutions to improve sustainability throughout the building’s life cycle for the decarbonisation of the industry. In Ireland, the Royal Institute of Architects Ireland (RIAI) launched the 2030 Climate Challenge in response to the climate emergency. This sets out a list of targets to meet before 2030 for carbon emissions within the built environment. This research aims to investigate if the application of BIM tools can be leveraged to automate Global …

Barriers To Bim Implementation For Cost Management In The Irish Construction Industry, Uchenna Sampson Igwe Dr, Alan Hore Dr, Dermot Kehily Dr., David Colmenero Lechuga

Conference Papers

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the foundation of digital transformation in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry that enables efficient collaboration and information sharing among stakeholders in the industry. It has been identified as a powerful tool for construction cost management because it provides accurate and timely information about the cost implications of design decisions. BIM development in Ireland is expected to continue growing in the coming years, driven by the proposed 2024 government mandate, continued state supports and the benefits that BIM brings to the construction industry, including improved collaboration, reduced errors and waste, and increased efficiency. Notable …

Accelerating Bim Adoption In Ireland: A Ten-Year Review Of Cita Bim Gathering Proceedings, Alan Hore, Roger West, Barry Mcauley

Conference Papers

Digital construction interfaces have been studied extensively over the last few decades, with an ever-grow- ing catalogue of publications. The CitA BIM Gathering conferences have played a key role in bringing together the research and industry communities ina collaborative setting over the past decade in Ireland. In this paper the authors systematically review 10 years of papers published in the BIM Gathering pro- ceedings since the inaugural conference in 2013. A total of 175 papers involving over 200 authors have been reviewed and classified under the 2018 World Economic Forum (WEF) recommendations in respect to ac- celerating BIM adoption. The …

Mapping Pilgrimage In The Marketplace: Social Contexts Of Bisnis Hajj Dan Umroh In Indonesia, Shin Yasuda

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

in which private commercial tour operators organise pilgrimages to Makkah (hajj and umrah). As a result, the development of these religious tour operators has formed a market, which is described as bisnis hajj dan umroh (pilgrimage business). Thus, this study examines social space and context in the commodification of Islam in Indonesia, by analysing the bisnis hajj dan umroh. In conclusion, the study shows that the development of the pilgrimage market in Indonesia has cultivated new social space among stakeholders, and creates social context based on individual piety, connecting economic development with personal spiritual commitment. The quality, popularity, and …

The Development Of A Lean Digital Construction (Bim) Innovation Framework For Irish Construction Smes, Marina Andreou, Barry Mcauley, Alan Hore

Conference Papers

The adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must overcome several challenges to succeed. Potential barriers include the need for financial resources, correct BIM guidance, and training. In recent years, SME organisations have investigated how the complementary application of BIM and Lean principles can maximise digital construction practices. For this approach to be successful, structured guidance is paramount. This paper presents the results from an extensive literature review that explores BIM and Lean capabilities, focusing on synergies and existing frameworks. Based on the results from the literature review, the paper suggests an experimental framework that …

Universal Accessibility On The Portuguese Coastal Way To Santiago In Porto Municipality, Fátima Matos De Silva, Isabel Borges, Marta Arreiol

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

In this article, the authors seek to understand if improvement to the conditions of universal accessibility on the Portuguese Coastal Way to Santiago was one of the factors that contributed to the development of this Way and consequently the increase of pilgrims.

To this end, an evolutionary analysis of the number of pilgrims was carried out, which involved a study of the universal accessibility of the Portuguese Coastal Way to Santiago and its religious heritage in the municipality of Porto. An analysis was also undertaken of the guiding and explanatory signage and the elements of innovation introduced, as well as …

An Investigation Into Ireland’S Bim Skills Gap, Guadalupe Centanni, Barry Mcauley

Conference Papers

The adoption of digital skills within the Irish AEC Sector has the potential to enhance efficiency and competitiveness among its stakeholders. Despite this opportunity, there is still a high demand for skilled BIM professionals, which cannot be currently met. To meet this skills demand and directly target future skills gaps within Ireland, several challenges must be addressed to facilitate broader BIM adoption. This paper focuses on addressing this gap by identifying steps to be followed to develop skilled professionals within BIM. This has been achieved by investigating the extent to which construction stakeholders in Ireland comprehend BIM and, examiningthe training …

Industry Colloquium Report, Robert Moore

Reports

In the ever-evolving landscape of the construction industry, digital transformation has emerged as a pivotal force reshaping the way projects are conceived, executed, and delivered. This transformation, fuelled by cutting-edge technology and innovative practices, holds the promise of greater efficiency, sustainability, and collaboration within the construction sector.

This report offers a comprehensive summary of the Build Digital Project colloquium. It provides actionable insights and recommendations for clients, supply chain partners, and for prioritisation within the Build Digital Project pillars. As the industry partners seek to build a more efficient, sustainable, and collaborative construction sector, understanding and harnessing the invaluable insights …

Lost In Data: How Older Adults Perceive And Navigate Health Data Representations, Peterson Jean, Emma Murphy Dr, Enda Bates

Conference papers

As the ageing population grows, older adults increasingly rely on wearable devices to monitor chronic conditions. However, conventional health data representations (HDRs) often present accessibility challenges, particularly for critical health parameters like blood pressure and sleep data. This study explores how older adults interact with these representations, identifying key barriers such as semantic inconsistency and difficulties in understanding. While research has primarily focused on data collection, less attention has been given to how information is output and understood by end-users. To address this, an end-user evaluation was conducted with 16 older adults (65+) in a structured workshop, using think-aloud protocols …

Ukicer 2023 Chairs Welcome, Troy Astarte, Faron Moller, Keith Quille, Sean Russell

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

No abstract provided.

Sustainable Product Design Education Through An Appreciation Of The Low-Tech, Ceri Almrott

Conference papers

The paper presents a case study on the implementation of Low-Tech development model to teach sustainability in design-led programmes. The author argues that sustainability education should include not only the technical aspects of sustainability theory but also the underlying social aspects. The low-tech approach fits well in design-led modules since it encourages students to consider appropriate technological solutions for design projects while focusing on user behaviour to develop articulate solutions. The study explores the pedagogical approach of the content used to teach the design module and introduces a low-tech design workshop to aid students in implementing learning. The results of …

Leadership For The Future: Towards The Challenge Of Understanding Leadership In The Aec Sector, Roisin Murphy Dr, Rory Concannon, Oluwasegun Seriki Dr

Conference papers

The Irish Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector faces ongoing challenges relating to low productivity, digital adoption, sustainability, and innovation. Effective leadership is required to transform the sector to address these challenges and meet the future needs of society. However, there remains a lack of empirical evidence relating to leadership requirements, assessment, and development, in the context of the Irish AEC sector. As part of an ongoing study with the aim of developing resources to support leadership development, this research, conducted through a review of literature, examines how leadership is being assessed and explored in the AEC sector. The findings …

Dynamic Influence Diagram-Based Deep Reinforcement Learning Framework And Application For Decision Support For Operators In Control Rooms, Joseph Mietkiewicz, Ammar N. Abbas, Chidera W. Amazu, Anders L. Madsen, Gabriele Baldissone

Articles

In today’s complex industrial environment, operators are often faced with challenging situations that require quick and accurate decision-making. The human-machine interface (HMI) can display too much information, leading to information overload and potentially compromising the operator’s ability to respond effectively. To address this challenge, decision support models are needed to assist operators in identifying and responding to potential safety incidents. In this paper, we present an experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of a recommendation system in addressing the challenge of information overload. The case study focuses on a formaldehyde production simulator and examines the performance of an improved Human-Machine Interface …

Embedding Sustainable Development In Built Environment Curricula: An Investigation Of Quantity Surveying (Qs) Education For Sustainable Development In Ireland, Roisin Murphy Dr

Conference Papers

No abstract provided.

Uem Engaging Workshops: A University Perspective, Shaun Ferns, Fionnuala Darby, Barry J. Ryan

Group Reports

This report provides a comprehensive account of the University Education Model Team facilitated 'Engaging Workshops' that focused on the 7 Fundamentals from the University Executive Team (UET) Brief. The report is a meta review of each Schools' 'Engaging Workshop' synopsis, detailed through a University and Faculty lens. It demonstrates an enhanced understanding of the University Education Model (UEM), in particular the 7 Fundamentals, amongst University staff. It also details the challenges staff have identified, along with specific opportunities, and notes their suggested next steps for UEM implementation.

A Framework For Confusion Mitigation In Task-Oriented Interactions, Na Li, Robert J. Ross

Conference papers

Confusion is a mental state that can be triggered in task-oriented interactions and which can if left unattended lead to boredom, frustration, or disengagement from the task at hand. Previous work has demonstrated that confusion can be detected in situated human-robot interactions from visual and auditory cues. Therefore, in the next step, we propose appropriate interaction structures in this study, which should be used to mitigate confusion. We motivate and describe this dialogue mechanism through an information state-style dialogue framework and policies, and also outline the approach we are taking to integrate such a meta-conversational goal alongside core task-oriented considerations …

Inéire Report And Policy Recommendations, Arjumand Younus, Simon Caton, Muhammad Atif Qureshi, Mingyeong Jeon, Arefeh Kazemi, Sandra Ruiz Moriana

Articles

Over the years there has been an increased amount of immigration into Ireland leading to the formation of a multicultural society. More recently however immigration has become a controversial issue within Ireland leading to growing anti-immigrant sentiment and political conflict (Costa, 2023) reported as early as 2018 in a report by Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and Economic & Social Research Institute (McGinnity, Grotti, Russell, Fahey, et al., 2018). This project aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the factors behind such sentiment and its consequences by means of collecting comprehensive data on it and performing a quantitative and …

‘The Food Of The Home’ An Exploration Of Place And Practice Of Ordinary Women In Dublin City 1950-2000 On Irish Cuisine, Roann Byrne

Dissertations

Before the rise of restaurants and the accessibility of dining out, the home was where food engagement took place. In the recent surge of Irish Michelin restaurants, and our growing reputation for food culture, one element has been overlooked. Long before the great chefs and level of fine dining we have now – the heart of Irish food culture lay in the home. In the ongoing debate of what Irish cuisine is, we haven’t thought to look inwards, to the routes of our food engagement. This thesis seeks to understand the places, practices and engagement of ordinary women and food …

Strategic Intelligence For Sacred Sites, Pierre Fournie

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The polysemous aspect of pilgrimage constitutes a very old human activity, sometimes religious and alternatively secular, make it a complex matter to approach and handle. The exact number of pilgrims visiting sacred sites remains undetermined, and ranges, according to sources, between 200 and 400 million people yearly (Griffin & Raj, 2017). Pilgrimages are often associated with tourism and generate, in several countries, comfortable amounts of revenue. Public or private companies manage sacred sites and at the same time, areas of services for pilgrims and accompanying persons, and an intense network of shops, places for food and accommodation, grow, sometimes haphazardly. …

Skills Matter – Up-Skilling Across Construction Stakeholders For Emerging Roles, Avril Behan, Paul Mccormack, Barry Mcauley

Conference Papers

The EU’s Climate Target Plan To 2030 (European Union 2020b) of achieving at least 55% reduction in Green House Gas emissions from 1990 levels, delivering towards a climate-neutral economy by 2050, requires systems-level change in the way we design, construct, and operate our built assets. Funding initiatives, such as co-ordinated by BUILD UP Skills, aim to deliver upskilling to the market but targets set by the European Skills Agenda may not be reached at current achievement levels. This paper presents the results of one completed and the progress of one ongoing Horizon 2020 funded project, BIMcert and ARISE, respectively. Learning …

Graph Modeling For Openflow Switch Monitoring, Ali Malik, Ruairí De Fréin

Articles

Network monitoring allows network administrators to facilitate network activities and to resolve issues in a timely fashion. Monitoring techniques in software-defined networks are either (i) active, where probing packets are sent periodically, or (ii) passive, where traffic statistics are collected from the network forwarding elements. The centralized nature of software-defined networking implies the implementation of monitoring techniques imposes additional overhead on the network controller. We propose Graph Modeling for OpenFlow Switch Monitoring (GMSM), which is a lightweight monitoring technique. GMSM constructs a flow-graph overview using two types of asynchronous OpenFlow messages: packet-in and flow-removed, which improve monitoring and decision making. …

An Investigation Into The Application Of The Meijering Filter For Document Recapture Detection, John Magee, Stephen Sheridan Phd, Christina Thorpe Phd

Conference papers

The proliferation of mobile devices allows financial institutions to offer remote customer services, such as remote account opening. Manipulation of identity documents using image processing software is a low-cost, high-risk threat to modern financial systems, opening these institutions to fraud through crimes related to identity theft. In this paper we describe our exploratory research into the application of biomedical image algorithms to the domain of document recapture detection. We perform a statistical analysis to compare different types of recaptured documents and train a support vector machine classifier on the raw histogram data generated using the Meijering filter. The results show …

Inéire: An Interpretable Nlp Pipeline Summarizing Inclusive Policy Making Concerning Migrants In Ireland, Arefeh Kazem, Arjumand Younus, Mingyeong Jeon, Muhammad Atif Qureshi, Simon Caton

Articles

Reaching marginal and other migrant communities to elicit their political views and opinions is a well-known challenge. Social media has enabled a certain amount of online activism and participation, especially in societies with abundant multicultural identities. However, it can be quite challenging to isolate the voice of the migrant in English-speaking countries, especially with an abundance of content in English on social media. In this paper, we pursue a case study of Ireland’s Twitter landscape, specifically migrant and native activists. We present a methodology that can accurately ( >80% ) isolate the Irish migrant voice with as little as 25 …

Technical Report: A Framework For Confusion Mitigation In Task-Oriented Interactions, Na Li, Robert J. Ross

Articles

Confusion is a mental state that can be triggered in task-oriented interactions and which can if left unattended lead to boredom, frustration, or disengagement from the task at hand. Since previous work has demonstrated that confusion can be detected in embodied situated interactions from visual and auditory cues, in this technique report, we propose appropriate interaction structures which should be used to mitigate confusion. We motivate and describe this dialogue mechanism through an information state-style policy with examples, and also outline the approach we are taking to integrate such a meta-conversational goal alongside core task-oriented considerations in modern data driven …

Pan University Modules (Uem Discussion Paper), Barry J. Ryan, Fionnuala Darby, Shaun Ferns

Group Reports

This discussion paper outlines the development and implementation of TU Dublin’s Pillar Modules, designed to enhance the university’s educational model and align with its Strategic Intent to 2030. The Pillar Modules, categorised under People, Planet, and Partnership, aim to provide a unique and interdisciplinary learning experience that embodies the university’s vision and values. The paper details the principles of Pillar Modules, including their role in promoting equity, sustainability, and digital literacy. It explores various options for integrating these modules into the existing curriculum, emphasising the need for resource restructuring and interdisciplinary collaboration. The document also discusses the potential for expanding …

Digital Challenges And Opportunities Of Addressing On-Site Productivity And Safety On Construction Job Sites: An International Perspective, Ahmed Hassan, Ankur Mitra, Mark Mulville, Alan Hore

Conference papers

The slow pace of digital transformation in construction remains an impediment to the industry’s evolution. Despite rapid developments in digital technologies, the vast bulk of data generated on construction job sites remains underutilised due to the limited use of real-time data capture. The diffusion of digital solutions in construction depends on successfully capturing critical real-time data that can inform and contribute to more productive work patterns and safer job sites. Nevertheless, the construction industry’s fragmented nature has segregated the digital solutions offered by technology providers from the volatile challenges facing on-site construction practitioners.

This paper will present the early development …

List Of 121 Papers Citing One Or More Skin Lesion Image Datasets, Neda Alipour

Other resources

No abstract provided.