Proximity Detection
Background
Mine Site Technologies is extending its tracking and tagging technology to form a Proximity diction System for underground mines. Wwith the support Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP) and a number of coal and hard rock mines in Australia, including Xstrata Coal, Centennial Coal and Xstrata Zinc, is currently finalizing the development of a “Proximity Detection” system to assist in reducing the risk of the people coming into contact with vehicles in an uncontrolled manner (i.e. being “run over”).
A number of “near misses”, and previous fatalities, have been acknowledged by both hard rock and coal mining companies, as confirming the need for some form of “Proximity Detection” to provide an additional level of control in vehicle-person hazards. Increasing levels of vehicle use, automation and remote control has added to this requirement.
The Proximity Development has leveraged off the Intellectual Property and experience gained with our existing ImPact TRACKER tagging technology, allowing the development to be fast tracked.
Principles of Operation
The basic concept is to use active Tags worn by miners underground to be detected by vehicle mounted Readers. The Reader is our existing Vehicle Intelligence Platform (VIP) Wi-Fi enabled data logger module. This VIP module is interfaced to a Display Unit to alert the driver of a person encroaching within the vehicles vicinity. The Display Unit will also provide the interface between the operator and the system, e.g. a means to acknowledge Tags and other necessary controls, such as alert outputs, etc.
The system will use a vehicle mounted Reader that would detect the approach of an active Tag. System provides two levels of warning:
Outer Zone – 60 to 120 m:
- Gives a first warning to operator that there is someone around
- Detection Range is roughly adjustable from 60-120m
- Detects personnel around corners and blind-spots
Inner Zone – 2 to 18 m:
- Uses a Very Low Frequency (VLF) magnetic field to give an accurately-shaped detection zone around the vehicle
- Detection Range adjustable from 2-18m with +1m tolerance
- Triggers a higher-level alarm
The basic principle is to install a VIP Module to operate as a Reader on a vehicle to detect active RFID Tags worn by miners. The technology creates an additional level of control, to complement existing anti-collision procedures, for:
- People-Vehicle collisions;
and potentially; - Zone control; for example a shutdown system if some unauthorized person or vehicle intrudes in an area where remote controlled vehicles are operating, or as a more reliable means for control of non-FLP vehicles in coal mines.
- Vehicle-Vehicle collisions
The system is being developed using our existing RFID Tags. The reasoning behind this include:
- For purely practical reasons, one tag being the basis of two applications makes sense.
- Also, mines that have installed a tagging system can have the option to gain further value from their investment, as it will allow these mines to easily implement this Proximity Detection by simply adding VIP Module to their vehicles, as their workforce will already be equipped with Tags.
- The two Tag types are:
- Self Contained Tag with it’s own battery supply, which can be carried by personnel (e.g. in a pouch) or mounted on a vehicle (to allow vehicle tracking).
- A Tag that is integrated into the new ICCL (Integrated Communications Cap Lamp), this ensures it is a personal item that the miner will carry with them at all times.