Abstract
A three-dimensional real time proximity warning system (PWS) has been developed using a combination of object oriented programming techniques, open graphics library (OpenGL), global positioning system (GPS) and wireless communications networking. The main purpose of this research is to probe the application of information technologies in preventing the run-over incidents that occur frequently in large mobile equipment operations in open pit mining. The system provides three major functions: first, the system has the ability to display three-dimensional drawing exchange format (DXF) maps and has the basic map operation functions such as zoom in, zoom out, move, rotate, etc. Second, the system can show the real time positions of the trucks on the laptop installed on the truck and generate warming information when the clients are too close to each other, and then send the warming information to the client trucks. Third, the system has the ability to record the GPS positions and regenerate the surface of the mine based on the new recorded positions. So the surface maps of the mine can be updated timely. The whole system can be divided into two parts: server and clients. The clients can be any moving utilities with a GPS device installed. The server is responsible for the communication between the clients, monitors the behaviour of the clients and computes the distance between the clients in real time. Whenever the distance between two clients is less than the safe distance, warning messages will be sent to the clients and shown on the computer screens installed on the clients. The hardware of the system contains the wireless network, GPS receivers and computers installed on trucks. The system can also be applied to other industrial applications to monitor the activities of moving utilities and improve operational safety. This paper will explain the development of the system and display the field test results.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.