COLLISION AVOIDANCE communication capabilities of our GPS integration solution , which helps to optimise brake functions and mobility dynamics of a large rigid body haul truck ,” said Henro Van Wyk , Wabtec Vice President and General Manager of Digital Mine . “ We will now be able to expand our testing for various interaction scenarios and dynamic decelerations that are required to ensure that the intervention solution performs optimally , positioning Wabtec as the global leader in Vehicle Interaction System Solutions .” Tests were conducted to demonstrate the ability to integrate and decelerate Komatsu 730E and 860E haul trucks at speeds up to 30 km / h in a controlled manner . This is the first time a Wabtec mining solution has been validated at Level 9 of the Earth Moving Equipment Safety Round Table ( EMESRT ) Defensive Controls Model for a major OEM .
The Wabtec Level 7 / 8 CAS solution is available to mining customers and is already in use at several mining sites . Wabtec Digital Mine says it will expand its testing to better cater for various interaction scenarios designed to improve the Vehicle Intervention Solution performance and capability by adjusting detection zones for braking distance , speed and real-time payload and haul road grade . Wabtec ’ s CAS Solution enables operators to enhance production and efficiency , while increasing safety and control . It is being utilised by nearly 10,000 assets across 40 mines and has recorded more than 370 million hours of operation .
Matrix Design Group , a leading provider of technology for mining and industrial safety and productivity , has introduced its new OmniPro ® collision avoidance system for surface mines . This innovative application of Visual Artificial Intelligence ( Visual A . I .) and machine learning enables line-of travel , crosswalk and blind-spot pedestrian and vehicle alerting for mobile equipment . Consisting of up-to-three 120 ° fieldof-view cameras , the OmniPro system works without personal wearable devices or tags . OmniPro not only “ sees ” and identifies people and hazards , alerting with visual and / or audible alerts , it also photographs and reports zone breaches .
“ Operations recognise that prevention is the most effective strategy for combatting mining accidents ,” said Brian Jones , Vice President of Business Development . “ Those with safety initiatives will see OmniPro ’ s Visual A . I . system as an indispensable tool in helping protect workers and equipment .”
Through its Visual A . I . object recognition technology , OmniPro has been taught to identify and report on a library of “ objects ,” including people , vehicles , equipment , stop signs and pedestrian signs . The user can select what objects will be included , whether to integrate with the machine or operate as alert-only , and whether the alert will be visual , audible or tactile . Additionally , depending on the mine ’ s needs , OmniPro ’ s wireless solution can trigger a stop sign , pedestrian light , voice alert or crossing arm . All incidents are recorded and reviewed to provide insights for additional safety training as needed .
OmniPro ’ s cost-effective and customisable solution can be adapted to match any operating environment through its programmable field-of-view zone grid configuration tool , which enables it to meet the safety requirements of different mines . Each system operates independently and is easy to install . “ OmniPro is effective on many levels ,” said Jones . “ Our customers have told us it brings awareness to workers and helps them feel the operation is investing in their safety .”
RealTrac CAS & proximity detection
RealTrac , represented in North America by PROVIX is a modular mine management system that does not require any infrastructure deployment for CAS and proximity detection protection . The company told IM “ the system offers seamless protection in both surface and underground operations using the same detection equipment for heavy equipment and tags for light vehicles and personnel .” RealTrac provides accurate identification of positioning to within one metre , which allows for equipment
RealTrac system display in cab monitor which identifies locations of personnel and vehicles in relation to the current position of the equipment in real-time
operators to know whether personnel or vehicles are behind , beside on the left or right , in front , approaching or retreating from their equipment . Detection zones are configurable individually for any type of equipment eliminating false alarms while simultaneously warning personnel through haptic tags that vibrate . " RealTrac is also fully expandable to allow for the implementation of a complete mine management system including tracking , positioning , mapping , and reporting ." The system is already 10 years in operation with over 7,000 personnel tags deployed . RealTrac utilises a blend of technologies for fail-safe operation that include Ultra Wide Band ,
( Level 9 )
Sees What People Can ’ t & Reacts When People Don ’ t .
• Vehicle-to-Vehicle
• Vehicle-to-Person
• Underground & Surface
• All people and equipment in the working section
SA : + 27-12-450-0960 • info @ strata-safety . co . za www . strataworldwide . com
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JANUARY 2022 | International Mining 61