ArcGIS Training Enhances Mine Safety for WVU Engineers
A West Virginia University researcher is developing a training programmes that teaches miners how to operate near hazardous vehicles using virtual reality (AR) headsets to improve mining safety.
Since they make it hard to see, automated carrying equipment like dump trucks and front-end loaders contribute to roughly half of all mining-related fatalities. Deniz Tuncay, a mining engineer at West Virginia University, is spearheading an initiative to increase miners’ awareness of blind spots and their capacity to identify potential hazards. By displaying these blind spots directly on the operator’s screen, his augmented reality training technique will enhance the learning process and make it more practical.
It obtained more than $173,500 from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants programmes. This programmes provides funding for improved mine training programmess in remembrance of the victims of mine accidents in Tallmansville, West Virginia, and Brookwood, Alabama.
Deniz Tuncay, an assistant professor at the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University, said that for over a decade, powered haulage has been the primary cause of fatal mining accidents in West Virginia.
West Virginia has the highest annual mine fatality rate in the nation, with over four fatalities over the last 10 years. Tuncay emphasized the value of training techniques that replicate dangerous circumstances in a safe, supervised environment, and he proposed that AR was the most effective approach to do this.
Three-dimensional digital material may be seamlessly integrated into real-world environments using augmented reality. Without taking any risks in real life, this enables trainees to electronically interact with mobile devices, check for blind spots, and exercise handling threats. According to Tuncay, AR has the power to alter safety training and operational procedures, which would ultimately result in fewer mining-related mishaps and fatalities.
Since it incorporates digital components into the real environment using the camera on a user’s phone, Pokémon Go is a well-known example of augmented reality software. Miners learning to utilize augmented reality (AR), for instance, may put on headsets that indicate which areas of their environment will be obscured while they use powered hauling equipment.
The mining workforce is aging, with more than half of miners in the United States being 45 years of age or older. However, according to Tuncay, those with less than a year of experience are involved in the majority of significant powered-carrying incidents. Augmented reality is a terrific way to educate new miners on how to remain safe and know what to do in risky scenarios since it allows you to view complex settings.
Miners with little experience will be the primary audience for the instruction. To determine how well the training works for individuals with varying levels of experience, the initial testing will include both inexperienced WVU students (such as new miners) and more seasoned individuals (such as miners with more experience).
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health releases a large number of photos that will serve as the foundation for the AR models. These photos show the blind areas of various surface mining equipment, such as excavators, graders, dozers, and backhoe loaders. In addition, mine personnel will be able to develop blind-area maps that are particular to their equipment.
Traditional professional training often fails to adequately prepare individuals for the risks associated with high-risk occupations like mine. Due to this, Tuncay resorted to augmented reality as a safe and practical tool to practice spotting risks and how to cope with them. He said that by allowing users to encounter virtual scenarios that mimic hazardous real-life scenarios, augmented reality aids in learning and memory retention.
More people will be able to use AR technology as device prices decline. AR will probably be used in training and education more as a result of this. It has previously been shown that virtual reality and arcade systems increase the safety and efficacy of instruction in industries like manufacturing. Employees will be more inclined to stay with the organization, and costs will decrease.
To create the training modules, Tuncay will collaborate with Amy McBrayer, an assistant professor of teaching, and Vladislav Kecojevic, a professor of mining engineering. Along with AR activities, these sessions will include surveys, quizzes, audio and video narrations, and statistics to monitor student interest and progress. Trainers who may not have much familiarity with AR technology will also be able to obtain support via classes.
These training programmes must address the unique challenges faced by each mining company. WVU’s Mining Engineering department maintains close relationships with over 20 Appalachian mining companies. To ensure that the training satisfies their requirements and addresses the root causes of powered haulage incidents, they will collaborate closely with professionals in the industry.
