Rio Tinto are progressing the following initiatives:
- Development of transponders to be placed on track outside the limits of a worksite to provide automated warning on AutoHaul® Trains as they pass over the transponder. As the AutoHaul® trains are unmanned, this allows the onboard computer to activate the horn together with flashing headlight and ditch lights in advance of worksites protected by lookout working.
- Commenced a feasibility study to look at the development of a forward-looking infrared camera system for night work and a high-resolution daytime camera to provide visual recognition of track obstructions (including people). This system would incorporate sophisticated artificial intelligence algorithms which would be able to differentiate between different targets (e.g., animals vs humans).