ViPER+ Accurately Tracks Workers’ Jobsite Location to Enhance Safety

University of Houston computer scientists have developed a new system to keep construction workers safe at jobsites. Their findings and process are laid out in a study published in the research journal Applied Sciences. ViPER+ utilizes ultra-wideband technology for location tracking, and automates the monitoring of location-based safety policies and detects any violations of the policies while workers and equipment are working.

The system surmounts challenges of other ultra-wideband-based, real-time safety monitoring systems primarily because it overcomes non-line of sight situations; e.g., when construction loaders and other equipment block the signal between the transmitter and receiver in ultra-wideband radio transmissions. The team tracked locations through tags and anchors. Tags are small ultra-wideband radio transmitters, mounted to workers and vehicles to monitor their locations; anchors are ultra-wideband receivers that receive signals from tags. The researchers then collected data from anchors to their computer server and estimated the location of vehicles and people in a construction site.

Photo credit: University of Houston