Wabtec has announced the launch of its next-generation Collision Awareness (CAS) Generation 3 solution, representing significant advances in sensing accuracy, user experience, and EMESRT Level 9 vehicle controls. Implemented by mining solutions company Probe IMT across Southern Africa, this proven technology sets the standards for mining safety and is an ideal solution for mines striving to achieve their zero-harm goals. Fleet-wide implementation is underway at key sites.
“CAS Generation 3 has been developed to provide game changing performance and user experience,” says Gert Roselt, CEO of Probe IMT. “This breakthrough from Wabtec is the result of multiple years of field and production testing, leveraging the invaluable insights of Wabtec customers and the industry. CAS Generation 3 offers unique functionality and is the only system to include real-time health monitoring. Powerful intelligence delivers up to fifty times better alarm performance, compared to the market. Wabtec’s intensive production testing has ensured a lower nuisance alarms rate, meaning there is less impact on productivity.”
The Wabtec CAS Generation 3 solution is designed to reduce critical vehicle interaction risk through features including smart rules and intelligence, remote monitoring, troubleshooting, 360-degree situational awareness, ultra-high accuracy sensing, productivity monitoring, machine data acquisition, critical vehicle interaction threat advisories, and detailed reporting and analytics. The solution offers a user-friendly, intuitive interface and is fully configurable with adaptable settings to fit site-specific requirements.
Roselt explains that recent rapid advances in technology, such as satellite positioning, LiDAR, intelligent vision systems and fatigue-detecting solutions, have all had a major impact on collision avoidance systems and the level of software that is available to mining companies. “With proper system integration and a whole-of-mine safety approach, mines can reap huge benefits from implementing high-performing solutions.”
Besides collision avoidance, CAS Generation 3 users are already reporting wide-reaching benefits. “In an Australian coal mine, a Haul Truck operator reported unexpected CAS alerts from safe-passing. Poor haul road maintenance in wet weather conditions was found to have caused the haul road to narrow, reducing the haul truck passing gap. This could then be rapidly address,” says Roselt. “CAS Generation 3 analytics further identified machine operators working outside standard mine site procedures, allowing for a change in this risky behaviour.”
In South Africa, Level 9 Collision Awareness (CAS) vehicle intervention for both underground and surface mining became mandatory in December. “Compliance with Level 9 requires sophisticated CAS systems that provide high integrity object detection, operator warning and automatic intervention, when necessary, in order to prevent an accident. Companies that are not compliant, must submit a plan on becoming compliant. There is a strong need for future-proof solutions that can be rapidly implemented.”
While South Africa has over 30 CAS suppliers, varying from established providers to small new entrants, few can offer the proven track record of multinational players, says Roselt. “Mines should carefully select implementation partners and technology to ensure a smooth transition to Level 9. Wabtec solutions help our clients comply with Level 9 regulations, but also avoid the pitfalls of sensing technology inaccuracies, unnecessary alarms during normal operations and reduced system availability that can impact production. Fifteen years of operations with no fatalities or unreported events prove Wabtec’s commitment to safety and reliability. We’re proud to be implementing these solutions in a rapidly evolving arena.”
