Changes in Hazard Recognition during Tower Crane Teleoperation: An Empirical Study

Abstract With the increasing deployment of tower crane teleoperation in construction, operational contexts are shifting from on-site to off-site. This transition introduces new challenges for hazard recognition, a capability essential to preventing accidents and maintaining safe operations. To address this pressing issue, this study examines how hazard recognition changes during tower crane teleoperation from a human factor perspective. A scaled high-fidelity experimental platform is developed to replicate a representative tower crane operation scenario, including direct-operation and teleoperation modes. Forty participants were evaluated across three hazard types (static hazard, dynamic hazard, and environmental perturbation) for hazard detection acuity, task execution stability, and situation awareness (SA). Results demonstrate asymmetric changes in hazard recognition during tower crane teleoperation compared to direct-operation. Specifically, while participants exhibited diminished detection of static hazard and environmental perturbation, their task execution remained relatively stable. In contrast, improved detection of dynamic hazard was accompanied by notable declines in operational stability. In addition, the mediating effects analysis further reveals that reduced comprehension and projection of SA significantly affect the fluctuations in hazard recognition. Overall, these findings extend hazard recognition from conventional on-site operation to the emerging context of tower crane teleoperation and provide empirical evidence of potential new safety vulnerabilities in teleoperation. This study offers practical implications for the safer and more efficient development of tower crane teleoperation and related remote construction operations.