A: There are several ways these technologies work.
Collision avoidance, which we believe is the most effective currently, acts as an extra set of eyes for the operator, creating what we refer to as situational awareness, where the operator knows the location of all the hazards in the area. Then, as a piece of equipment gets within a close range, there are audible alarms that warn the operator to slow down or stop. Rounding a blind corner, for example, an operator will know if there is a hidden piece of equipment.
Geo-fencing is another important awareness tool. In this case, an operator might be alerted when crossing into a zone where there are workers or equipment. In addition, zones where there are safety hazards, might have speed limits or restricted access.
The technology also provides data that helps companies learn from past experiences and improve safety programs. For example, you might have a weekly safety review to assess situations of machines being too close to each other. If there is an accident or a near miss, you can replay that incident on video and determine where things went wrong. That's not anything people want to think about, but the technology helps ensure that an accident doesn't happen again.