Skip to main content

Banking on the Banksman Auto Braking system by Vision Techniques

UK contractor Eurovia Surfacing and Sims Milling, based near London, are trialling an automatic braking system that could save the lives of workers and pedestrians. The Banksman Auto Braking radar system is designed to remove the risk of accidents while a vehicle is reversing, with 100% accuracy at detecting objects. The system - provided by Vision Techniques – emits low-energy microwaves from a unit mounted at the rear of the vehicle. If an obstruction or hazard is detected then the system will automatica
January 8, 2019 Read time: 2 mins
Give me a brake: Banksman Auto Braking from Vision Techniques will stop the vehicle in time

UK contractor 3281 Eurovia Surfacing and Sims Milling, based near London, are trialling an automatic braking system that could save the lives of workers and pedestrians. The Banksman Auto Braking radar system is designed to remove the risk of accidents while a vehicle is reversing, with 100% accuracy at detecting objects.

The system - provided by Vision Techniques – emits low-energy microwaves from a unit mounted at the rear of the vehicle. If an obstruction or hazard is detected then the system will automatically activate the vehicle’s braking system.

 Banksman Auto Braking radar was recently trialled on a Eurovia Surfacing site in Essex and is now being deployed on Sims Milling Sweepers operating in Hertfordshire, explained Neil Huntington, Eurovia’s contracting regional director.

“Initial feedback from site has been very positive,” he said.

“While this system must be used in conjunction with other Safe Systems of

Work (SSOW) and site-specific risk assessments, it is very clear that the Banksman Auto Braking radar system will further help eliminate the potential risk of collisions on our sites.”

The system’s frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) technology transmits a radar signal with a frequency increasing over time to create a signal sweep. The signal is reflected by an obstacle’s surface; this reflected, or echo, signal is picked up by the antenna.

As the transmitted signal is constantly varying in frequency, the echo has a slightly different frequency compared to the signal being transmitted at that moment. This frequency difference can be translated in a linear distance. This makes FMCW microwave technology much more effective than an ordinary reversing radar.

The system will warn the driver audibly and also visually with an in-cab display. The brake is automatically applied if the driver fails to react to the danger within the final “red danger zone”.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Speed limiters will limit fatalities, says the TRL
    July 29, 2019
    The soon-to-be mandatory speed limiters on vehicles in the European Union will make all safety other features more efficient, according the UK-based Transport Research Laboratory. In March the European Parliament passed a law that safety features such as intelligent speed assistance and advanced emergency-braking system must be installed in new vehicles from May 2022. They form part of the EU’s new suite of safety measures. TRL, which provided input for the European Commission regarding the formulatio
  • Proper GPR Surveying Techniques
    May 10, 2019
    A sustainably good road surface often depends on how well understood is the ground underneath the road’s route. Brian Jones* offers some best practice and advice for getting the most from ground-penetrating radar investigations Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is one of the most accurate non-destructive testing (NDT) methods available. To get the most from GPR surveying, it is absolutely essential to understand how GPR tools work and follow best practices when conducting surveys. Key areas to be aware o
  • SICK’s LMS 1000 and RMS 1000 sensors deliver the goods
    January 7, 2019
    SICK says that it’s recently launched LMS1000 and MRS1000 infrared LiDAR sensors deliver more accurate and reliable distance sensing and measurement, especially in difficult conditions. The robust, compact sensors weigh just 1.2kg and come with rotatable connectors for easy mounting on gantries. Heavy rain, mist, dust or snow can lead to false signals, explained Neil Sandhu, SICK’s national product manager for imaging, measurement, ranging and systems. The addition of SICK’s triple-echo HDDM+ - High Defini
  • Krohne Optiwave 6300 C takes the guesswork out of silo measuring
    August 3, 2017
    A variety of issues affect accurate continuous level measurement inside cement plants. The most critical concerns are dust, heavy build-ups, low-reflective media and uneven surfaces in conical and/or air-injected silos with internal objects. Now, new frequency-modulated continuous-wave – FMCW - radar technology, combined with high signal dynamics, offers a way to accurately and reliably measure product levels.