Fleet-Aware Targets Pedestrian Safety

Over the past two years Midlands-based Fork Truck Control Ltd (FTC), specialists in innovative health and safety solutions, have been working on a project to tackle accidents involving workplace transport. As a result of this work the company have developed a new pedestrian protection system called Fleet-Aware. The product was primarily designed to reduce fork-lift truck accidents within port facilities, but after wider research FTC believe it could be equally helpful in preventing vehicle-related accidents and fatalities in other applications, including quarrying and mining.

Fleet-Aware aims to give vehicle operators and pedestrians, whether they be employees, contractors or visitors to site, extra protection by providing a warning of each other’s presence. The system is not designed take the onus away from mobile plant drivers but instead gives them extra assistance.

A pedestrian working on site carries a transponder in specially designed safety wear incorporating high-visibility red LEDs that, when illuminated, can be seen from up to 1,000ft away at night or in poor light. Powered by the transponder unit, the LEDs are automatically triggered when a vehicle moves into the specified danger zone.

The system has two zones for determining the distance to or from a vehicle or pedestrian; these are represented visually by the colours amber (alert) and red (danger). The sensitivity setting for each zone is fully adjustable and can be adapted to suit particular applications or requirements.

Vehicles operating at the site are equipped with a radio antenna and a Driver Alert Display (DAD) incorporating red, amber and green (system activated) LEDs and a built-in audible warning system. As a vehicle approaches a pedestrian, a signal is received from the transponder and the lights on the DAD change from amber to red, at which point a sharp tone is emitted for 5s to warn the driver that a pedestrian is nearby. At the same time, corresponding warning lights and an audible alarm tone are emitted by the pedestrian’s transponder and his/her LED safety vest illuminates for 10s, giving the driver an opportunity to determine the person’s precise location.

The pedestrian transponder is powered by a built-in rechargeable battery that provides up to 12h continuous use and can be opportunity charged without damaging the power cell. The transponder has an intelligent charging facility that indicates when the battery power is low and when full re-charge has been reached. Re-charge racks are available in two sizes catering for either a single unit or multiple (up to 10) transponders.

As well as the standard ‘two-way’ system described above, a ‘single-way’ entry-level Fleet-Aware system is also available. With this version pedestrians carry smaller, less-sophisticated transponders in their standard high-visibility clothing but only the vehicle driver receives the warning signals.

Alternatively, a wall-mounted version of Fleet-Aware is available that covers static points around a plant or warehouse. As a vehicle approaches the protected area, a siren/flashing beacon is activated to warn any pedestrians in the vicinity. This system can be used on its own as a basic early-warning detection system, or in conjunction with a DAD unit and transponders.

As a spin-off from the Fleet-Aware system, FTC have also developed a stand-alone range of high-visibility work wear featuring battery-powered LEDs and PVC retro-reflective micro-prism technology.

Fork Truck Control Ltd, Unit 25A Francis Street, Stoneygate, Leicester LE2 2BE; tel: (0116) 270 6010; fax: (0116) 270 2913; email: [email protected]