A construction accident prevention system based on the Internet of Things (IoT). (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Minglong; Ghodrati, Nariman; Poshdar, Mani; Seet, Boon-Chong; Yongchareon, Sira
• Is Part Of: Safety science. Volume 159(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: Accident Prevention -- Construction Safety -- Radio Frequency Identification -- Internet of Things -- Long Range Communications; Industrial accidents -- Periodicals; Accident Prevention -- Periodicals; Safety -- Periodicals; Travail -- Accidents -- Périodiques; 363.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2022.106012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0925-7535

Abstract

Highlights: Radio frequency identification (RFID) has been leveraged to proactively prevent accidents on construction sites. Proximity detection empowered by the RFID is highly flexible for creating various detection zones by programming the devices. Semi-passive tags (EPC UHF Gen2) have been employed to identify and warn trespassers. A long-range wireless communication system enabled by LoRa is able to deliver the data to a remote server. The RFID subsystem shows 100% successful detection rate, and the wireless network can efficiently disseminate the information to the server for safety management and data analytics. Abstract: In recent years, emerging sensing and detection technologies have been adopted to enhance safety in many construction sites. In this paper, we proposed to use a radio frequency identification (RFID) system, which consists of RFID readers, semi-passive tags and an Internet of Things (IoT) network, to prevent accidents on construction sites. The proposed system with multiple functions is versatile for different situations. Firstly, it can effectively detect the entry/exit activities when workers carrying tags access a site. Such a record is essential in daily project management. Secondly, the system can be programmed to flexibly create various virtual zones of different sizes and shapes. The virtual zones are usually hazardous ones that anyone cannot approach and enter. The semi-passive tag will warn an intruder if someone intentionally or accidentally intrudes the zones. A warning message is generated and sent to the remote server in real-time via the IoT network. Lastly, by adopting the advanced LoRa technology in the IoT network, the sensed data can be wirelessly transmitted over a longer distance than other wireless technologies, such as WiFi and Bluetooth, thereby reducing the number of transmission hops and improving the transmission efficiency.