Assessing the economic, social, and environmental impacts of mixed reality in prefabrication: a comprehensive cost–benefit analysis

Mixed reality (MR) integration in prefabrication offers promising potential to enhance construction management practices by improving efficiency, sustainability, and decision-making processes. However, a critical challenge remains in quantifying the net benefits to support investment decisions and optimize resource allocation within the construction domain. This study employs a comprehensive social cost–benefit analysis combined with Monte Carlo simulation to evaluate the economic, social, and environmental impacts of MR integration in prefabrication. The findings emphasized a significant cumulative cost–benefit, with an 87.4% proportional impact in the economic category, demonstrating MR’s potential to enhance productivity, reduce inefficiencies, and improve construction project management. Furthermore, results highlight the positive environmental impact of MR integration, including minimized resource consumption, reduced material waste, and lower greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to sustainable construction practices. Sensitivity analysis further explores the influence of key parameters, such as discount rates, on net present value calculations, ensuring robustness in financial assessment. By leveraging advanced computational methods, this study establishes a data-driven foundation for improving engineering workflows, procurement strategies, and risk management in prefabrication. The research contributes to advancing smart and innovative technologies in construction management, offering practical insights for stakeholders involved in prefabricated construction.