Modelling potential sightline improvements to underground mining vehicles using virtual reality

Abstract

One of the major ergonomic limitations associated with free steered vehicles (FSVs) underground is that of poor sightlines and visibility. This has contributed to a large number of accidents within the industry. Past research has shown that improvements can be made to the sightlines of an FSV by a number of retrofit improvements which can be readily undertaken ‘in house’. Here, these retrofit improvements are modelled using virtual reality in order to observe and quantify any improvements in visibility. It was found that repositioning the seat, chamfering the engine and moving a headlight had some effect. A cost benefit analysis was then undertaken on each. The results show that retrofitting is a cost effective way of improving sightlines and visibility on such equipment, which will assist in reducing the risks associated with these vehicles.

Keywords

MINING SAFETY TRANSPORT LHD SIGHTLINES

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