Radar networks used to improve construction vehicle safety

The Radar and Microwave Group (GMR) at the Technical University of Madrid (UPM) in Spain has developed an innovative system, based on the usage of multiple radars, that is installed in construction vehicles, creating a sensor network. This system will provide workers with a general view of blind spots, facilitating decision-making and preventing collisions.

The usage of large vehicles such as dump trucks is one of the main causes of accidents in construction sites, some of them with fatal consequences. This vehicle has numerous blind spots due to its size and design, making driving difficult and increasing the zone of collision risk.

Nowadays, there are diverse safety systems for these types of vehicles, such as cameras or sirens. However, these systems have some disadvantages due to adverse conditions in construction sites. Suspended particles obstruct the camera lens and loud noises disturb the sirens.

Radars are highly reliable sensors hardly affected by suspended particles, rain or fog. Radars do not need light to work and can be used in any work environment at any time. GMR has developed a system based on a low-cost radar network installed in the vehicle that detects obstacles around the vehicle and can be seen through a screen. The latest advances in electronics and processing speed have allowed researchers to miniaturise and develop the proposed system.

The biggest challenge was to develop a high-performance and reliable system in order to prevent collisions and to reduce the false-alarms rate. A worker can be suspicious of a system that generates several false alarms during a work day and this could have severe consequences if a real detection is ignored. The false-alarms rate can be drastically reduced thanks to the usage of multiple sensors placed around the car, along with chain processing and data fusion.

The field tests conducted with the first prototype have proved the viability of the developed solution. Thanks to its easy installation and reduced cost, the solution can be extensively deployed in large vehicles used in construction, improving work area safety. 

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