Determining the Key Drivers and Barriers to Adopting Virtual Reality Technology for Safety Training Programs in the Construction Industry

The adoption rate of virtual reality (VR) technology for safety training remains relatively low in the construction sector, particularly in developing countries like India. This study examined the drivers and barriers to adopting VR technology for safety training in the Indian construction sector. A systematic methodology was employed, consisting of three stages: (1) a literature review to identify key drivers and barriers, (2) a Delphi survey to gather experts’ insights, and (3) a prioritization analysis using the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method to determine the drivers and barriers. The findings reveal that the most significant driver was its improvement in workers’ safety awareness, safe behavior, and decision-making skills. Further, the findings indicated that the high-cost investment, lack of management support, and lack of regulation were the barriers to adopting VR technology for safety training programs in the Indian construction industry. The findings provide valuable insights to construction stakeholders for developing strategies to overcome the barriers and increase the adoption of VR technology for safety training programs.