Coal Age

FEB 2015

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that are required during mining operations, while providing the management with driv- er fatigue profiles and traffic-related data. Based on scientific research done by the Universities of Zurich and Hospital of Berne, the system uses intelligent fatigue assessment algorithms to estimate driver fatigue levels and also predict fatigue devel- opment. The black-box recording technol- ogy, which includes video, provides a reliable tool for analyzing incidents. The design also allows for the operator to be free of any additional equipment, such as caps or glasses. "Traffic safety in the open pit can be sig- nificantly enhanced by closely monitoring vehicle movements, operator fatigue and operator distraction," SAFEmine's Todd Ruff said. "SAFEmine's FatigueMonitor accomplishes this by integrating data from multiple inputs: attention-level detection (camera vision), body clock (circadian rhythms) and individual traffic behavior (from the collision avoidance system)." On the back end of FatigueMonitor is a comprehensive live Web platform that pro- vides dispatchers with real-time fatigue analysis associated with the entire fleet. In addition, reporting services provide super- visors with updates via email or text mes- sages. When mine management is alerted that an operator is experiencing early stages of fatigue, they can dynamically manage and reassign operators to maxi- mize levels of safety and efficiency. SAFEmine officials said the Fatigue- Monitor technology is a simple upgrade to any existing SAFEmine CAS to inte- grate physiological and traffic data, both real-time and historical, to prevent vehi- cle collisions and improve mine efficien- cy. It currently is protecting more than 20,000 vehicles in more than 45 mines worldwide. "SAFEmine offers an array of products and services that include CAS as well as real-time fleet tracking," Ruff said. The company first introduced and demonstrated the integration of FatigueMonitor and its collision avoidance solution last September and it will show- case the technology at Haulage & Loading 2015 during May in Phoenix (see p. 23). Modular's Consistent Commitment Modular, since its inception in 1979, has focused on its commitment to helping mines combat operator safety issues. That dedication, and the company's develop- ments in risk mitigation and safety, led to the release of Modular's first-generation proximity detection system in 2006. Responding to a changing industry, which in turn has been progressing parallel to regulatory changes and a growing cul- ture calling for zero incidents, the company is currently on its fourth-generation CAS. Modular's CAS, which focuses on vehi- cle-to-vehicle collision prevention, utilizes ranging sensors and GPS receivers to deter- mine collision risk based on vehicle travel paths, speed, distance and other factors. "A radio connection provides direct com- munication among vehicles, removing the need for wireless network infrastructure," Vice President of Product Innovation c o l l i s i o n a v o i d a n c e c o n t i n u e d February 2015 www.coalage.com 41 SAFEmine's FatigueMonitor integrates data from fatigue detection and collision avoidance units to min- imize accidents.

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