BUSINESS
The surface collision-avoidance safety system reduces operating costs through the elimination or
reduction of damage to assets.
dual channel secure radio interface. With
speed-of-travel-information, the ICAS
unit is able to automatically increase the
guard zone size incrementally as the
speed of the vehicle increases.
High-level GPS
The 50-channel high-level GPS receiver
provides reliable 3-D positioning. If
there is existing infrastructure, it can
be incorporated into the ICAS system
to increase system range, thereby
minimising the need for surface-based
repeaters. “Each ICAS unit has a
limited range to communicate its own
position, speed, or direction of travel to
surrounding vehicles and pedestrians.
By adding surface-based repeaters, this
range can be exponentially increased
over vast distances. By using existing
surface-based repeaters in use on
site, no additional cost is incurred by
the customer to increase the range if
required,” says Trentelman.
ICAS-equipped vehicles and machines
within the configured guard and alert
zones (up to 2km) are represented via an
intuitive graphical HMI display.
Once detected, the system uses a
secure radio wireless network to activate
surrounding ICAS systems. The presence
of vehicles and obstacles, within critical
guard zones, is automatically advised to
operators via visual and audible alerts.
Non-priority targets
ICAS can filter out non-priority targets
and only displays the vehicles and
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infrastructure that may be on a collision
course, thus removing the risk,
uncertainty, and stress related to working
and interacting with vehicles in highly
dangerous, congested, low-visibility, and
isolated environments.
“Non-priority targets are determined
by direction of travel, speed, and exact
3-D location being shared between
vehicles and pedestrians,” explains
Trentelman. “For example, two vehicles
travelling in the same direction at
the same speed, 200 metres apart,
has a low probability of interacting
or colliding, whereas a third vehicle,
travelling in the direct opposite direction,
directly towards the first mentioned
two vehicles, would be prioritised as
a potential threat to the two vehicles.
Similarly, if this third vehicle’s location
shows that its altitude (3-D positioning)
is much lower than the first two
vehicles, it will indicate that the third
vehicle is not on the same travelling
roadway (one level lower in an open pit),
which will de-prioritise the third vehicle
as it has a low probability of interacting
or colliding with the first two vehicles.”
Visitors
An ICAS portable worker unit has been
designed for use by short-term contractors
or visitors to a plant. This system, with
magnetic mounts, is quickly installed in a
vehicle. The antenna can be positioned on
the vehicle’s roof, and power is obtained
from the cigarette lighter output.
The ICAS remote worker unit is
used to identify hazards or fixed plant
issues quickly, until a permanent
solution is installed. This mobile unit,
which is housed in a carry case, is
usually battery powered, or supports
12/24 VDC input. This system contains
all the necessary ICAS components,
including the display, GPS antenna,
and radio antenna.
Remote retrieval
Although information is data logged
by each machine, ICAS and data can
also be retrieved remotely via the ICAS
radio network. An optional centralised
PC-based vehicle tracking and event
reporting system is available, with data
collection via the peer-to-peer ICAS in-
vehicle radio systems.
This fully scalable system, with plug
and play connectivity, requires minimal
downtime for installation in all vehicle
types. Other design features include
easy screen navigation, low power
consumption, no licensing requirements,
and regular firmware upgrades.
ICAS is also suitable for fixed plant,
hazard awareness, data logging, or
access control at boom gates.
Becker Mining South Africa’s collision
avoidance safety systems have all been
designed to facilitate future upgrades.
These modular systems, which
range from a simple, low-cost single
technology device, to an integrated
multi-technological system, encompass
all aspects of the most advanced
communications and technology.
APRIL 2019
29