Performance Test of Wireless Technologies for Personnel and Equipment Proximity Sensing in Work Zones

The dynamic nature and limited work space of roadway work zones contribute to the dangerous work environment for construction workers. These characteristics can create hazardous proximity situations because pedestrian workers are required to operate in close proximity to heavy construction equipment. A total of 609 work zone personnel fatalities were experienced in 2012. Previous analysis of work zone fatality data found that of the pedestrian worker and mobile object struck-by fatalities, a majority resulted from pedestrian workers being struck-by construction equipment. These statistics indicate that current safety practices for pedestrian workers and equipment operators are inadequate. The objective of this study was to create and evaluate a proximity detection and alert system using Bluetooth sensing technology. The scope is hazardous proximity situations between pedestrian workers and construction equipment in roadway work zones at grade. Many evaluation metrics were implemented to assess the tested proximity sensing systems including the cost, time and ease of calibration, required hardware, system capabilities, and many others. Commercially available radio frequency identification (RFID) and magnetic field proximity sensing systems were also evaluated to provide a basis for comparison. Various interaction scenarios between pedestrian workers and construction equipment were used in the evaluation of the system. Experimental results demonstrate that the created proximity detection and alert system 1) requires minimal infrastructure, 2) provides adequate alerts to equipment operators and pedestrian workers, and 3) provides additional layers of hazard avoidance in real- time during hazardous proximity situations in roadway work zones.