Cranes are common features in urban skylines. Because construction projects are constantly beginning and ending, the exact number of cranes in use globally is unknown. What is known, however, is that cranes have caused hundreds of deaths and catastrophic injuries. In the U.S. alone, dozens of deaths occur annually, and the construction industry loses billions of dollars. 

“Crane usage is not well regulated or well measured. A lot of accidents are not reported or cataloged — and for those that are, there’s often not a proper investigation,” noted William Singhose, professor in Georgia Tech’s George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and director of the Crane Safety Research Center.  

The center includes researchers from Georgia Tech, the University of Washington, Utah State University, construction equipment suppliers, and industrial automation specialists. Together, they hope to bridge the gap between engineering curricula, practical applications, and legislation.  

Read the full story on the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering website.