In the open-pit mining environment it has been estimated that approximately 65% of truck haulage accidents are directly related to driver fatigue or exhaustion. In response to this alarming number, SAFEmine has developed FatigueMonitor, an innovative solution that integrates data from fatigue detection and collision avoidance units to minimise accidents involving mining vehicles. FatigueMonitor helps operators maintain levels of attention that are required during mining operations, while providing the management with driver fatigue profiles and traffic-related data from the open pit. Based on scientific research done by the University of Zürich, smart Fatigue-assessment algorithms are used to estimate current driver fatigue levels and to predict fatigue development based on operator history. The company states; “Based on the successful SAFEmine CAS and scientific research, SAFEmine has developed the first multitechnology fatigue detection system for monitoring driver alertness within the mining environment.” The solution was available for demonstration at Electra Mining Africa 2014 this week in Johannesburg.
The patent pending FatigueMonitor asses the current fatigue levels based on individual situations such as speed of the vehicle and area in mine. Within the control room, a comprehensive live web platform is continuously analysing fatigue levels associated with individual drivers and the complete fleet. The Black-box recording technology provides a reliable tool for analysing incidents. FatigueMonitor is operator friendly and does not require drivers to wear additional equipment such as glasses or caps. Traffic safety in the open pit can be significantly enhanced by closely monitoring vehicle movements, operator fatigue, and operator distraction.
SAFEmine’s FatigueMonitor accomplishes this by integrating data from four inputs: attention-level detection (PerClos), vehicle dynamics sensors (inertial sensors), the operator’s body clock (circadian rhythms), and traffic behaviour (the Collision Avoidance System). Individualised driver profiles are continuously compared with current data to estimate levels of potential risk. Continuous monitoring is critical for accurately predicting operator fatigue levels and avoiding incidents. The FatigueMonitor back-end consists of a comprehensive live web platform that provides dispatchers within the control room real-time fatigue analysis associated with the entire fleet. In addition, reporting services provide supervisors with updates via email or text messages. When the minemanagement team is alerted that an operator is experiencing early stages of fatigue, they can dynamically manage and reassign operators to maximise levels of safety and
efficiency within mining operations.
Importantly, FatigueMonitor is a simple upgrade to existing SAFEmine Collision Avoidance Systems. As such, SAFEmine brings to market a solution specially designed for the mining environment that integrates physiological and traffic data (both real-time and historical) to prevent vehicle collisions and improve mine efficiency.
