Ultra-wide band technology experiments for real-time prevention of tower crane collisions

Equipment collisions on the jobsites are normally accompanied by significant damages, including fatalities, monetary losses, and delays. This paper presents a method for preventing equipment collision by helping equipment operators improve their situational awareness while operating equipment on site. Noting the need for real-time spatial data, the method incorporates ultra-wideband technology that has been selected through systematic evaluation as the technology that is best suited for the present study. Applying the collision-prevention approaches created in this study, a framework comprised of real-time data collection platform, a visualization module, and a decision module is created. Its technical feasibility for real-time monitoring of equipment operations and assessment of the possibility of collision is examined through lab experiments with a prototype system developed based on the framework. The results of this study prove that integrating precision tracking technology and real-time data analysis can produce tools that will enhance equipment safety.

► This study investigates technical approaches to preventing collision between heavy construction equipment.
► A framework and a prototype system are created and tested for assessing the possibility of collision in real-time.
► UWB is tested for real-time prevention of collision between heavy construction equipment.
► A method is developed to help equipment operators improve their situational awareness while operating equipment.
► It concludes that integrating precision tracking technology and real-time data analysis can enhance equipment safety.