A Real-Time Location-Based Services System Using WiFi Fingerprinting Algorithm for Safety Risk Assessment of Workers in Tunnels

Peng Lin,Qingbin Li,Xiangyou Gao,Qixiang Fan,Senying Hu

doi:10.1155/2014/371456

Abstract

This paper investigates the feasibility of a real-time tunnel location-based services (LBS) system to provide workers’ safety protection and various services in concrete dam site. In this study, received signal strength- (RSS-) based location using fingerprinting algorithm and artificial neural network (ANN) risk assessment is employed for position analysis. This tunnel LBS system achieves an online, real-time, intelligent tracking identification feature, and the on-site running system has many functions such as worker emergency call, track history, and location query. Based on ANN with a strong nonlinear mapping, and large-scale parallel processing capabilities, proposed LBS system is effective to evaluate the risk management on worker safety. The field implementation shows that the proposed location algorithm is reliable and accurate (3 to 5 meters) enough for providing real-time positioning service. The proposed LBS system is demonstrated and firstly applied to the second largest hydropower project in the world, to track workers on tunnel site and assure their safety. The results show that the system is simple and easily deployed.

Highlights

Over the past decade, there was a surge of accidents in underground constructions worldwide [1,2,3]
This paper investigates the feasibility of a real-time tunnel location-based services (LBS) system to provide workers’ safety protection and various services in concrete dam site
Based on the study results, the most influential factors contributing to the successful implementation of the real-time LBS for workers are identified

Summary

Introduction

There was a surge of accidents in underground constructions worldwide [1,2,3]. Safety is a critical issue in construction industry, especially for the underground construction workplace. The health and safety management of the human on a large hydroelectric power construction site mainly depends on the contractor supervision and owner inspection on an irregular basis. The construction industry has the poorest Health and Safety (H&S) records in any major industry [4, 5]. In China, the probability of construction workers being killed and injured is higher than the average figures for all other industries, with billion RMB Yuan of economic losses being measured each year [1]

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion