Solution Summary: Artificial Intelligence Collision Avoidance System
A collision prevention system based on visuals and artificial intelligence.
Description:
An artificial intelligence collision avoidance system, such as the ViCAS by LivNSense Digital Inc., is a solution mounted on heavy vehicles to mitigate blind zone accidents. The system consists of cameras that visually detect workers coming into close proximity with the heavy moving vehicle and provides audible and visual warning alerts to the vehicle operator. Its artificial intelligence is a predictive feature that can also perform partial body detection for preliminary warning. Its artificial intelligence allows the system to warn about a potential collision with a pedestrian when only a body part is detected.
The ViCAS system consists of:
- cameras
- a dashboard screen panel
- a computing device (Edge Gateway) with integrated speakers and gyro-sensors
- power connection cables to the battery and ignition
- mounting hardware appropriate to the heavy vehicle specified during ordering
It is operated on a cloud-based artificial intelligence platform that analyzes a multitude of data in real-time. It is primarily based on visual data captured by ViCAS vehicle-mounted cameras to improve the visibility in blind spots around heavy moving vehicles as well as worker safety in hazardous or high-risk working environments (figure 1 and 2). Depending on the heavy vehicle, the Edge Gateway, a technology that securely connects sensors to cloud computing, can support up to 4 cameras, each with a 110 degrees of field vision.
Figure 1. ViCAS detecting a worker near operating heavy vehicle. (Photo courtesy of LivNSense Digital Inc.)
Figure 2. ViCAS detecting a worker in low-lighting environment. (Photo courtesy of LivNSense Digital Inc.)
In addition to real-time avoidance detection with audible and visual proximity warning alerts, the ViCAS system can offer other features such as:
- Context detection and workers' postures detection
- Worker safety gear detection and provides notifications for non-compliance
- Integrated predictive analytics for near misses
- Reporting data for risk assessment and safety benchmarking
Risks Addressed:
Workers performing highway construction and maintenance may be at risk of work zone struck-by injuries. The lack or improper use of safety equipment or warning devices can lead to these struck-by injuries or fatalities.
Work zone struck-by injuries and fatalities may involve workers with non-construction passenger traffic or construction heavy equipment. Two of the main contributing factors that increase these struck-by risks is worker visibility and lighting.
Operators using heavy equipment also have blind spots that may cause struck-by accidents. Heavy equipment operators will usually have an obstructed field of view in which they may not see surrounding workers in the rear when operating the equipment. Back up incidences, or "backovers," can result in fatalities and non-fatal injuries such as as amputations, compound and simple fractures and crushing injuries.
How Risks are Reduced:
By installing an object detection and camera system for heavy equipment, work zone struck-by injuries and fatalities may be reduced. This system can help eliminate blind spots, provide real-time data positioning, alert operators and ground workers, and utilize real-time visualization to reduce false alarms.
Additional Considerations:
As is the case with any construction tool and equipment, users should follow manufacturer safety recommendations and comply with any applicable local, state or federal regulations.
Contributors:
Jean Christophe Le, MPH - CPWR The Center for Construction Research and Training
Availability
LivNSense Digital Inc.
To obtain information, visit ViCAS
or contact 1-802-866-0279 contact@livnsense.com
