Artificial intelligence is being used by Metro Trains Melbourne to improve safety at metropolitan construction sites.
The technology, called Toolbox Spotter, detects objects, understands what they and then determines what actions to take in real-time to improve safety on work sites.
When a person or another vehicle is detected in the blindspot or another specified zone, the Toolbox Spotter triggers flashing lights and a vibrating wristband to alert the driver and work crews.
User-configurable alerts aim to increase awareness, particularly during night works, and improve safety.
Metro Trains Melbourne signed a deal with Laing O’Rourke to deploy the system across this project sites.
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Laing O’Rourke Managing Director, Cathal O’Rourke, said the company was thrilled to partner with Metro to pioneer the large-scale adoption of innovative technology that has the potential to make Australian workplaces safer.
“Safety is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to finding new and innovative ways to keep our people safe, and improve work practices across the industry,” O’Rourke said.
“After extensive testing and close collaboration with a range of our key clients in construction, rail, logistics, mining, and manufacturing, we are extremely proud to now offer Toolbox Spotter to project sites.”
Toolbox Spotter systems are being installed on 38 Metro maintenance vehicles.
Metro’s General Manager of Infrastructure, Peter Munro, said the toolbox spotters were a game-changer to improve safety on project sites.
“The safety of Metro employees and passengers is our number one priority,” Munro said.
“We are carrying out around $6 million in maintenance and renewal on the metropolitan rail network each week, and these toolbox spotters are going a long way to ensure our Infrastructure teams are kept safe on the job.”
Metro spends around $330 million each year on infrastructure works to maintain, renew and upgrade rail equipment and assets.