Abstract
Operators of underground coal mine shuttle cars are exposed to numerous hazards including noise, dust and musculoskeletal trauma. The repetitive nature of shuttle car operation leads to fatigue-related incidents and soft tissue injuries. The poor visibility conditions, and dust and noise increase the occupational hazards to the operator, as well to other miners. To reduce the risks for all miners, towards providing a safer working environment for all workers, the introduction of autonomous shuttle cars is essential. This paper introduces a project to demonstrate the feasibility of incorporating autonomous shuttle cars in the underground coal mining cycle. The autonomous shuttle car will be able to localize itself, to map its surroundings and to navigate in an underground GPS-denied environment. It will also navigate efficiently by fusing different on-board sensor modalities, autonomously planning the optimum path and traversing around the mine while avoiding collisions with humans and other static and dynamic obstacles. This will be achieved by exploring and testing different state-of-the-art techniques and off-the-shelf components, and integrating them into existing equipment, i.e., retrofitting an actual shuttle car. Moreover, a modified mining system will be demonstrated which will incorporate the autonomous shuttle car, capable of making real-time decisions, into the mining cycle. The system will regulate the interactions between the autonomous machinery and the human dynamic, with emphasis given to the safety of the workers, and enable the real-time, remote supervision of the mining process. The focus will be on coal mines, where the room and pillar mining method is used.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Title of host publication | 2019 SME Annual Conference and Expo and CMA 121st National Western Mining Conference |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781510884663 |
State | Published - 2019 |
Event | 2019 SME Annual Conference and Expo and CMA 121st National Western Mining Conference - Denver, United States Duration: Feb 24 2019 → Feb 27 2019 |
Publication series
Name | 2019 SME Annual Conference and Expo and CMA 121st National Western Mining Conference |
---|
Conference
Conference | 2019 SME Annual Conference and Expo and CMA 121st National Western Mining Conference |
---|---|
Country/Territory | United States |
City | Denver |
Period | 2/24/19 → 2/27/19 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This study was sponsored by the Alpha Foundation for the Improvement of Mine Safety and Health, Inc. (ALPHA FOUNDATION). The views, opinions and recommendations expressed herein are solely those of the authors and do not imply any endorsement by the ALPHA FOUNDATION, its Directors and staff.
Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2019 by SME.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology