Intelligent traffic control systems
The WNS Access Point function as a RFID Tag reader in general tracking can be extended to automate traffic control
Similarly the RFID Tags already in use for general tracking form a key part of the traffic control system
Mine Site Technologies’ (MST) Traffic Control solutions are layered on top of its established Wi-Fi Network Infrastructure. The Wi-Fi Network Infrastructure utilises Wi-Fi tags fitted to vehicles and mobile assets, with MST’s Wireless Network Switches and Wireless Access Points used as readers for these tags as they actively transmit.
The technology behind MST’s Traffic Management solutions is designed and manufactured by MST in Australia and utilises well-proven hardware with custom-developed software to provide the most reliable platform on which this critical solution will run. Major design considerations for traffic control systems include multiple points of redundancy, innovative hardware and optimum topology, balanced with installation and maintenance costs.
MST’s Traffic Control Solutions build on the underground Ethernet backbone infrastructure of Wireless Network Switches and Wireless Access Points, Wi-Fi tags and the Asset Tracking software by adding the following elements:
- Traffic Controllers installed at each intersection, to process tag reads and data from any inductive loops
- Traffic Lights driven by the Traffic Controller based on the traffic control rules configured for each particular intersection
- Central Traffic Management Software: Built on top of the MST Tracking Engine, this software collects the status of each Traffic Controller and its Traffic Lights to provide a system overview to control room operators. Additionally this software synchronises the asset list to all Traffic Controllers to ensure corporate data is always up to date.
- Inductive Loops: Installed at each intersection approach, the inductive loops are an optional failsafe mechanism that ensures detection of a machine in the event of its tag failing.
The Traffic Controller and the Central Traffic Management Software can be configured in several ways to support a variety of intersection types from two-way to four-way and the Traffic Control Device can be configured to control the lights from one to four approaches to an intersection. Traffic Control Rules defining the traffic light phases can be configured to give priority to different vehicle types and allows for the each of the four different approaches to have different priorities
Configuring the system for a sites specific requirement does not require software code changes. Importantly the system can be configured by a mine’s System Engineer. This allows systems to be initially commissioned to a base setting, with the ability to add additional traffic lights and more complex traffic control rules as the system grows or changes over time.
The infrastructure is designed to last for many years, can link seamlessly to open pit operations, and offers an easily extendible network upon which multiple other enterprise applications can be run.
Mine Site Technologies has been striving for over 20 years to provide equipment and solutions that increase safety, efficiency and productivity. With installations in 400 mines worldwide, and more digital infrastructure deployments than any other vendor, MST offers the lowest risk in the deployment of a Traffic Control System.