GB2599465A

GB2599465A - System and method for tracking personnel

Info

Publication number: GB2599465A
Application number: GB2105321.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas James Anthony
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-04-14
Filing date: 2021-04-14
Publication date: 2022-04-06
Also published as: GB202009361D0; GB202005416D0; GB202105321D0

Abstract

A system for tracking the location of a person 10a, b, c or asset being assigned with a uniquely identifiable tracking device 12a, b, c, comprising means for assigning a virtual geographic perimeter which corresponds to a predetermined worksite location; and means for generating an alert or alarm condition if the tracked person or asset enters or departs from the predetermined worksite location. The virtual geographic perimeter preferably being set by a user or defined by worksite markerboards having location determining means affixed thereto, the worksite markerboards being positioned at each end of the predetermined worksite location. The virtual geographic perimeter preferably includes a set of coordinates presented as longitude and latitude or as Easting and Northing. The set of coordinates are preferably sent to the tracking device and based on the detected position of the device it is determined if the device is inside or outside of the perimeter.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING PERSONNEL

TECITVIC1LF11-1,1)01- iN1 TNT/ON This invention relates to a system and method for tracking personnel. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and method for tracking deployed personnel working on electrical and/or transportation assets, infrastructure and/or networks. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and method for tracking deployed o personnel working on railway assets, infrastructure and/or networks.

BA( 'KGROUND When teams of workers are utilised for temporary repair works, maintenance, installation and/or refurbishment of railway assets, infrastructure and/or networks, they have to report to an engineering supervisor who has responsibility for the teams of workers. The engineering supervisor maintains a paper-based system to record which assets are being worked upon, by whom and for what duration. This paper-based system is therefore an entirely open-loop system meaning that misunderstandings and miscommunication can lead personnel working on incorrect railway assets without the knowledge of the engineering supervisor. This can be an extremely dangerous situation where there is a significant risk of injury and/or death to the deployed personnel, and other railway staff and passengers.

It is desirable in the industry for there to be an alternative means for monitoring the location of such maintenance personnel and for improving visibility and communication between maintenance teams and the engineering supervisor at all times.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for tracking personnel which overcomes or reduces the drawbacks associated with an open-loop records system. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system and method for tracking personnel being particularly suitable for use in-and-around electrical and/or transportation assets, infrastructure and/or networks, which automatically notifies the engineering supervisor should the personnel not be working in a predetermined work location.

SUA1A IA RI' OF T111.: LV1/EN7 ION The present invention is described herein and in the claims.

According to the present invention there is provided system for tracking the location of a person or asset being assigned with a uniquely identifiable tracking device, comprising: ID means for assigning a virtual geographic perimeter which corresponds to a predetermined worksite location; and means for generating an alert or alarm condition if the tracked person or asset enters or departs from the predetermined worksite location.

An advantage of the present invention is that the user can in real time, or near real time, track the person to prevent loss of life or injury.

Preferably, the virtual geographic perimeter is set by a user or is defined by worksite markerboards having location determining means affixed thereto, the worksite markerboards being positioned at each end of the predetermined worksite location.

Further preferably, the virtual geographic perimeter includes a set of coordinates being presented as longitude and latitude and/or as Easting and Northing.

In use, the set of coordinates may be sent to the tracking device, and based on the detected position of the tracking device it is determinable whether the tracked device is located inside the predetermined worksite location or outside the predetermined worksite location.

Preferably, wherein when used with railway assets, infrastructure and/or networks, high-definition laser scan data can be utilised in the form of a 3D point cloud, the 3D point cloud being transposed into a set of coordinates.

Further preferably, the system further comprising a deployable sensor arrangement being disposed adjacent to the worksite markerboard to detect the presence of unauthorised mobile assets within virtual geographic perimeter.

In use, the deployable sensor arrangement may comprise a laser or other optical transmitter and receiver pair positionable across the rails of the track and/or a pair of passive infrared sensors (PIR) disposed across the rails of the track and/or a trip wire which is trailed across both rails of the track, and being capable of detecting the presence of the unauthorised mobile asset.

Preferably, the alert or alarm condition is an audible and/or visual and/or haptic warning to the user or person Further preferably, the audible warning is a discernible message.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a method of tracking and communicating location information for a portable worksite markerboard to a display screen of a remote computing device, comprising the steps of: receiving from a deployed worksite markerboard having location determining means affixed thereto a location, and displaying the location to said user indicating the location of the deployed work site markerboard on the display screen of a remote computing device.

Also according to the present invention is provided a method for tracking the location of a person being assigned with a uniquely identifiable tracking device, comprising the steps of displaying the location of the person on the screen of a remote computing device; assigning a virtual geographic perimeter to a predetermined worksite location; and generating an alert or alarm condition to a user if the person departs from the predetermined worksite location.

Preferably, the uniquely identifiable tracking device is a Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking device.

Further preferably, the GPS tracking device passes location information wirelessly via satellites to a ground-based receiving aerial connected to a server.

In use, the location of the person can be displayed via a remote application software and/or user interface embodied on the remote computing device and/or a mobile communications device being uniquely connected to the server.

Preferably, the remote application software being downloaded to the remote computing device and/or a mobile communications device via known digital media platforms Further preferably, the remote computing device may be selected from the group consisting, but not limited to, any one of the following: tablet computer, handheld computer, personal digital assistant, media player, desktop computer, notebook, virtual reality headset, smart watch, smart TV, any other digital media consumption device and the like.

In use, the mobile communications device may be a cellular mobile phone, smartphone, two-way radio and the like.

Preferably, the remote computing device and/or mobile communications device is connected to the server via wireless transmission protocols selected from the group consisting, but not limited to, any one of the following: Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 standard), Bluetooth, LoRa, Sigfox, Global System for Mobile (GSM) cellular telecommunications network and the like.

Further preferably, the location of the person is transmitted continuously or intermittently, in real time, or near real time, from the tracking device, and remotely accessing and retrieving by the user.

In use, the person may initiate direct contact with the user by means of a two-way radio incorporated into the tracking device.

Preferably, the remote application mapping software displays or overlays the location of the nearest access point or points to the person and/or predetermined worksite location Further preferably, in the event of an emergency or accident situation the access point or points are highlighted on the display such that the user when reporting the incident to emergency/rescue services may additionally supply the post code and/or coordinates thereof.

ID In use, the geolocation data obtained from the tracking devices may be utilised in an automated time tracking application.

Preferably, if there is a confluence of persons working in separate working parties within a certain predetermined distance, then the tracking devices of both persons emit an audible and/or visual and/or haptic proximity warning or alert to signify that another Further preferably, the method further comprises the steps of: assigning a uniquely identifiable tracking device to at least one mobile asset selected from the group consisting, but not limited to, any one of the following: engineering train, freight train, machinery, passenger train, plant, road-rail vehicle, trailer, trolley, worksite markerboard and the like; and displaying the location of the mobile asset on the screen of a remote computing device.

In use, the uniquely identifiable tracking devices may be removably securable to the mobile asset by means of a magnetic attachment.

Preferably, a virtual geographic boundary is formed as a radius around the worksite markerboard assigned with a uniquely identifiable tracking device, and wherein the application software being operable to issue an alarm condition if the person enters into the virtual geographic boundary, and/or wherein the tracking device deployed on the worksite markerboard and/or the person emits an audible and/or visual and/or haptic proximity warning or alert and/or notifies the user.

Further preferably, in the event of an emergency or accident, or possible emergency situation, the remote application software being operable to send to each person in a working party a group message via a push or in-app notification or alert and/or short message service (SMS) text message and/or e-mail notification and/or a group GSM cellular telecommunications call and/or a two-way radio call to communicate a warning to each person's mobile communications device.

Preferably, the remote application software and/or user interface is additionally displayed to a driver or operator of any vehicle travelling on railway assets, infrastructure and/or networks, the vehicle being selected from the group consisting, but not limited to, any one of the following: engineering train, freight train, passenger train, road-rail vehicle and the like.

Further preferably, the method further comprising the steps of assigning a uniquely identifiable tracking device to a rail earth strap being used for temporarily short-circuiting of electrically isolated overhead line equipment during maintenance or remedial works; and displaying the location of the rail earth strap on the screen of a remote computing device In use, the uniquely identifiable tracking devices may be removably securable to the rail earth strap Preferably, a virtual geographic boundary is formed as a radius around the rail earth strap assigned with a uniquely identifiable tracking device, and wherein the application software being operable to issue an alarm condition if the person enters into the virtual geographic boundary, and/or wherein the tracking device deployed on the rail earth strap and/or the person emits an audible and/or haptic proximity warning or alert and/or notifies the user.

Further preferably, the location of the person in a working party is displayed as an icon or avatar which also includes the contact telephone number of the person proximate to the icon or avatar.

Also according to the present invention is provided a system for tracking the location of a person being assigned with a uniquely identifiable tracking device, comprising: means for displaying the location of the person on the screen of a remote computing device; means for assigning a virtual geographic perimeter to a predetermined worksite location; and means for generating an alert or alarm condition to a user if the person departs from the predetermined worksite location.

Preferably, a plurality of uniquely identifiable tracking devices are stored and charged in a charging cradle for deployment Further preferably, the charging cradle comprises a USB port for connection to a mobile communications device, the mobile communications device being uniquely associated with each of the plurality of uniquely identifiable tracking devices on the charging cradle In use, the plurality of uniquely identifiable tracking devices may be arranged to automatically contact the mobile communications device of the user in the event of an emergency situation whereby the person activates an SOS signal.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a computer program product for tracking the location of a person being assigned with a uniquely identifiable tracking device, comprising: computer program means for displaying the location of the tracking device on the screen of a remote computing device; computer program means for assigning a virtual geographic perimeter to a predetermined worksite location; and computer program means for generating an alert or alarm condition to a user if the person departs from the predetermined worksite location.

It is believed that a system and method for tracking personnel in accordance with the present invention at least addresses the problems outlined above.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variations of the present invention are possible and it is intended that the present invention may be used other than as specifically described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

ID The present invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a high-level schematic illustration of a system and method for tracking personnel in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a high-level diagram of a charging cradle for storing and charging a plurality of trackers in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a side perspective view GPS tracker/annunciator that can be worn by personnel in accordance with the present invention, Figure 4 shows a high-level schematic illustration which illustrates how the system and method of the present invention can be deployed with portable safety critical railway equipment, such as rail earth straps, and which are used for short-circuiting of electrically isolated overhead line equipment during maintenance or remedial works; and Figure 5 is a high-level schematic diagram showing how the system and method for tracking deployed personnel and/or transportation assets, infrastructure and/or networks in accordance with the present invention is accessed via a remote application software installed on a remote computing device and/or a mobile communications device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EWBODDIENTS

The present invention has adopted the approach of utilising a system and method for tracking personnel. Advantageously, the present invention provides a system and method for tracking personnel which overcomes or reduces the drawbacks associated with an open-loop records system. Further advantageously, the present invention provides a system and method for tracking personnel being particularly suitable for use in-andaround electrical and/or transportation assets, infrastructure and/or networks, which automatically notifies the engineering supervisor should the personnel not be working in ID a predetermined work location.

Referring now to the drawings, a system and method for tracking personnel according to the present invention is shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 shows that individual workers 10a, 10b, 10c, etc. each carry their own Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking device 12a, 12b, 12c, etc., respectively. The GPS tracking devices 12a, 12b, 12c, etc. each being one that is known in the art and which is designed for lone working. As is known in the art, the GPS tracking device 12a, 12b, 12c, etc. passes location information wirelessly via satellites 14 to a receiving aerial 16 connected to a server 18. The server 18 can be connected to the Internet 20. In one embodiment, the receiving aerial 16 and server 18 may be provided within a remote computing device 22.

Location information about each of the personnel 10a, 10b, 10c, etc. as monitored by the system can be accessed via a remote application software or user interface embodied on a remote computing device 22 and/or a mobile communications device 24, which is uniquely connected to the server 18. The application software can be downloaded to the remote computing device 22 and/or a mobile communications device 24 via known digital media platforms, such as, for example, the App Store for i0S-enabled devices and Google Play for touchscreen mobile devices 24 based on the Android operating system, and Microsoft Store for devices running a Windows operating system. Further detail of the architecture of the remote computing device 22 and/or a mobile communications device 24 running the remote application software is shown schematically in Figure 5.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the remote computing device 22 or mobile communications device 24 is connected to the server 18 via the Internet 20. The skilled person will appreciate that other wireless transmission protocols, such as, for example, Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 standard), Bluetooth, LoRa, Sigfox or a GSM cellular telecommunications network would also be appropriate, or the remote computing device 22 could be connected to the sewer 18 via a wired connection.

As shown in Figure 1, a plurality of personnel 10a, 10b, 10c, etc. are all monitored by the single sewer 18, with the information from each of the tracking devices 12a, 12b, 12c, etc being accessible by a user having unique login credentials, as is known to someone skilled in the art. The application software also includes a map function having the physical location of each of the tracking devices 12a, 12b, 12c, etc. overlaid thereon.

The value of such information, which is transmitted continuously or intermittently, in real time, or near real time, from each of tracking devices 12a, 12b, 12c, etc., and remotely accessing and retrieving such information can be extremely useful. In effect it allows for the location of maintenance personnel 10a, 10b, 10c, etc. to be known at all times, and for improving visibility and communication between the personnel 10a, 10b, 10c, etc. and the engineering supervisor.

The application software or user interface embodied on a remote computing device 22 or mobile communications device 24 can be programmed to provide a constant tracking of the personnel 10a, 10b, 10c, etc., and alerting the user if the personnel 10a, 10b, 10c, etc, are not working in a predetermined work location and/or require action. The geolocation resolution of each of tracking devices 12a, 12b, 12c, etc. being such that the system can discriminate between personnel 10a, 10b, 10c, etc. working, for example, on track A as opposed to a track B, as shown in Figure 1. If the personnel 10a, 10b, 10c, etc. were supposedly scheduled to work on track A, but had inadvertently begun work on track B, an alarm condition would be raised and reported to the user on the remote computing device 22 and/or mobile communications device 24. To improve the precision of such satellite-based navigation systems, techniques such as real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning can be utilised to provide centimetre-level accuracy.

The tracking of personnel 10a, 10b, 10c, etc, is achieved by assigning a virtual geographic perimeter to the worksite location, such that the software triggers a response when any of the tracking devices 12a, 12b, 12c, etc, enter or leave such a virtual perimeter assigned to the worksite location. The virtual perimeter is configurable in software and can formed as a radius around a point location or by utilising a line segment tool or formed by multi-touch touchscreen gestures or the like.

The present invention therefore provides a system and method for tracking personnel which will reduce incidents, and reduce the significant risk of injury and/or death to deployed personnel 10a, 10b, 10c, etc., and other railway staff and passengers, and provides an electronic audit trail.

The present invention therefore enabling supervisors to have a visual identification of all teams of personnel 10a, 10b, 10c, etc. at all times simply by carrying tracking devices 12a, 12b, 12c, etc The system has been designed to improve safety around two main principles, namely Prevention and Rapid Response, as described below.

Prevention Preventing teams from straying onto open lines or tracks which is unfortunately a common occurrence Preventing teams from accessing track too early.

Preventing teams accessing at incorrect locations.

Preventing teams from making mistakes and working under live overheads.

Preventing teams still being out on track if the possession is handed back early. Preventing clashes with other work parties Rapid Response If an incident ever occurs on track the system can raise an alarm almost immediately, enabling direct contact between the working personnel 10a, 10b, 10c, etc. and a remote user with the aid of a two-way radio built into the tracking devices 12a, 12b, 12c, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the tracking devices 12a, 12b, 12c, etc. update their positions to the mapping software around every 30 seconds so the system could not only display the near real time geographic coordinates of the incident, it can also give the nearest access points saving the rescue teams and emergency services valuable time.

In the event of an emergency or accident, the mapping software is also overlaid with the various "access points"; these being the points at which access is made to the rail asset from the public highway, and these are highlighted so that the person reporting the incident can supply the post code/geographic coordinates to the rescue teams or emergency services. The geographic coordinates being the longitude and latitude to specify the exact location of the incident and/or appropriate access point. Alternatively, or additionally, the geographic coordinates being the what3words word address which specifies the exact location of the incident and/or appropriate access point. The mapping system and method can also alert train drivers of any team working along track, the train io driver would need to log into the system using a remote computing device 22 or mobile communications device 24 to pinpoint the trackers.

In a preferred embodiment, the remote computing device 22 may be selected from the group consisting, but not limited to, any one of the following: tablet computer handheld computer, personal digital assistant, media player, desktop computer, notebook, virtual reality headset, smart watch, smart TV, any other digital media consumption device and the like. The mobile communications device 24 being a cellular mobile phone, smartphone, two-way radio and the like.

The tracking system and method can also be used on pipelines, road construction and overhead powerline assets, infrastructure and/or networks.

Whilst the present invention primarily provides a system and method for tracking personnel which will reduce incidents, and reduce the significant risk of injury and/or death to deployed personnel 10a, 10b, 10c, etc., it is possible to utilise the geolocation data obtained from the tracking devices 12a, 12b, 12c, etc. to provide an automated electronic time tracker, by logging the time spent by individual workers 10a, 10b, 10c, etc. in the predetermined work location, and/or, for example, time spent travelling to and from the work location, and/or on other assigned tasks. In this way, supervisors and key stakeholders are able to break down projects by personnel hours, and ascertain productivity and profitability in near real time. In

The present invention can also be utilised in the following manner where two or more work parties are working in close proximity to one another and which provides a proximity alert or alarm condition, as detailed below.

The occurrence of accidents involving road-rail vehicles (RRVs) on railway assets, infrastructure and/or networks is particularly concerning. Whilst the driver of an RRV is often guided by a -Banksman" or spotter looking out for hazards, the incidence of accidents involving RRVs is still disproportionately high. The tracking system and method of the present invention can therefore be configured such that when if there is a 0 confluence of two separate working parties within a certain predetermined distance, for example 10m to 30m, the trackers 12a, 12b, 12c, etc. of both parties emit an audible and/or haptic proximity warning or alert to signify that another working party is nearby, and to be extra vigilant. This is often the case where an RRV is travelling down a section of track on which another party is already working.

Trackers 12a, 12b, 12c, etc. could additionally be attached to the RRV and also to engineering, passenger and freight trains to monitor the location of such mobile assets in real time, or near real time. Monitoring the location of the RRV and trains on the user interface embodied on a remote computing device 22 or mobile communications device 24 is extremely useful information that can be used, for example, by the user to validate that an RRV has entered the line (track) at the appropriate access point and/or is on the correct section of track.

Tracking devices 12a, 12b, 12c, etc. can also be attached to trolleys and trailers which are towed by RRVs and/or which are hand-propelled. Occasionally, trolleys and trailers can be erroneously left on track by personnel 10a, 10b, 10c, etc., and the engineering supervisor, when using the present invention, is able to check in real time, or near real time, that the worksite is clear, before that section of track can be handed back to the network operator.

Geolocation information about RRVs, trolleys and trailers can also be useful if the trailer or trolley becomes detached from the RRV, as this again can be tracked in real time, or near real time. This is a particularly dangerous occurrence since inadvertently detached trolleys and trailers can build-up significant speed even on very shallow gradients. This fact, coupled with their almost silent running, means that the risk of collision with a working party would be high, and therefore the present invention serves to mitigate this risk since the engineering supervisor is able to alert the personnel 10a, 10b, 10c, etc. should this a dangerous situation arise.

In order to quickly warn personnel 10a, 10b, 10c, etc. working on the track of impending danger, the application software or user interface embodied on a remote computing device 22 or mobile communications device 24 can be programmed to provide a group alert or call to all personnel 10a, 10b, 10c, etc. assigned to that worksite location. Such a group alert can be via a push or in-app notification or alert and/or short message service (SIMS) text message and/or e-mail notification and/or a group GSM cellular telecommunications call and/or a two-way radio call to communicate a warning to all personnel's mobile communications device or tracking devices 12a, 12b, 12c, etc. The tracking devices 12a, 12b, 12c, etc. are configured as multi-band devices to ensure optimum signal strength anywhere in the field, and which results in greater confidence of maintaining contact with working parties.

The skilled person will understand that the engineering supervisor also has responsibility to position worksite markerboards which are usually placed a short distance from each end of the worksite location. Tracking devices 12a, 12b, 12c, etc. can be also be located and associated with such worksite markerboards, so that the engineering supervisor is able to confirm their correct position on the user interface embodied on a remote computing device 22 or mobile communications device 24. The skilled person will appreciate that the present invention also allows the engineering supervisor to, amongst other things, ensure that the worksite markerboards are removed before the track is handed back to the network operator.

The engineering supervisor markerboard, having a tracking device 12a, 12b, 12c, etc. located thereon, may also automatically generate an alert condition for the engineering supervisor if personnel 10a, 10b, 10c, etc. come within a defined proximity, for example 40 metres, of the tracked markerboards deployed at each end of the worksite. This response can be triggered in the software itself, or it is envisaged that the tracking devices 12a, 12b, 12c, etc, deployed in the markerboards are Bluetooth-enabled, and any local detection of personnel 10a, 106, 10c, etc. entering within a predetermined distance generates an automatic audible/visual alert to the personnel 10a, 10b, 10c, etc. and/or the engineering supervisor to warn that personnel 10a, 10b, 10c, etc. may be leaving the predetermined worksite location.

The display or user interface embodied on a remote computing device 22 or mobile communications device 24 can also display or overlay further location or mapping attributes of the worksite, including, for example, the Engineer's Line Reference (ELR) mileage, chains and/or yards of the railway network to increase flexibility and the ease of ID use for the engineering supervisor.

It is further envisaged that a display or user interface can be displayed in the cockpit of every train (RRV/engineering/freight/passenger), so that the driver can easily see each and every tracked asset (machine/plant/vehicle/personnel 10a, 10b, 10c, etc.) and can slow down or stop the train in the event of a dangerous situation occurring.

Figure 2 shows that the present invention can be implemented as charging cradle 26 for storing and charging a plurality of trackers 12a-12t simultaneously. The charging cradle 26 will also have a USB port 28 for connection to a smartphone 24 which is uniquely associated with the trackers 12a-12t on the charging cradle 26. The plurality of trackers 12a-12t are all programmed to contact this smartphone 24 in the event of an emergency, if one of the workers presses the SOS button on any of the trackers 12a-12t. The charging cradle 26 being connected to a mains electric supply 32 via cable 30.

Figure 3 shows a UPS tracking device 12 that can be worn by deployed personnel 10 in accordance with the present invention. The UPS tracking device 12 being one that is known in the art and which is marketed for lone working. The GPS tracking device 12 passes information wirelessly via satellites 14 to a receiving aerial 16 connected to a server 18, as described above in relation to Figure 1.

The UPS tracker 12 includes a body 34 which may support a display 36. The tracking device 12 can be worn on wrist by means of an adjustable strap 38. Disposed on the body 34 of the tracking device 12 is a microphone input 40 and built-in speaker 42 which can be used to gather and broadcast audio signals, respectively. The body 34 may also include an input/output port 44 which can be used to update the firmware/software of the GPS tracker 12 and/or to charge the battery of the tracker 12. The skilled person will appreciate that firmware/software upgrades may also be accomplished wirelessly, as well as allowing for wireless induction charging of the battery of the GPS tracker 12.

Also disposed within the body 34 of the GPS tracker 12, although not shown in Figure 3, is a haptic actuator which can be used in conjunction with speaker 42 to warn or alert the wearer 10, as described above. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, a solid or flashing warning illumination can also be used in conjunction with the speaker 42 and/or haptic actuator to warn or alert the wearer 10. This being especially useful in areas having high

background noise

Figure 4 shows how the system and method of the present invention can be deployed with portable safety critical railway equipment, such as rail earth straps 62, and which are used for short-circuiting of electrically isolated overhead line equipment during maintenance or remedial works. Rail earth straps 62 act as a fail-safe to protect personnel 10 should the electrical supply be inadvertently re-energised whilst work parties are working on that section of track.

Figure 4 shows a section of track C and its overhead line equipment. In order to aid clarity, the assembly of masts and cables, and the spacing therebetween, have been compressed in Figure 4 to show the general principle of the invention.

As is known in the art, a section of overhead line equipment comprises a number of spaced-apart lineside mast structures 46a, 46b, 46c. The mast structures 46a, 46b, 46c support, via insulators 48, an overhead line which consists of a tensioned contact wire 50 suspended under a catenary wire 52 and a series of generally vertical droppers 54.

The incoming electrical feeder 56 is isolated from the mast structures 46a, 46b, 46c via insulator 58, and the feeder 56 is electrically connected to the catenary wire 52 at points along its length (not shown). In use, the contact wire 50 enables power to flow to a train (not shown) located underneath it. The skilled person will appreciate that the lineside mast structures 46a, 46b, 46c each include a unique structure number ID plate 60a, 60b, 60c.

What is shown in Figure 4 is a situation where temporary repair works, maintenance, installation and/or refurbishment of railway assets, infrastructure and/or networks is taking place, and maintenance personnel 10 are deployed along the section of track C. If the overhead line equipment needs to be electrically isolated, the feeder 56 is de-energised and portable safety critical railway equipment, known as rail earth straps 62, are then placed between the feeder 56 and a suitable earthing point on the mast structure 46, and which are used for short-circuiting of electrically isolated overhead line equipment during maintenance or remedial works. Rail earth straps 62 therefore act as a io fail-safe to protect personnel 10 should the electrical supply be inadvertently re-energised whilst work parties are still working on that section of track.

In Figure 4, a first earth strap 62a is deployed on mast 46a and a second earth strap 62b deployed on mast 46c. As such, a safely isolated section of overhead line is established between the first earth strap 62a and the second earth strap 62b, such that a safe working section or zone, indicated generally along line D in Figure 4, is established for maintenance or remedial works, etc The present invention can be implemented such that each earth strap 62 is deployed with a unique tracker 64 By affixing and associating a unique tracking device 64 with each earth strap 62, the engineering supervisor is able to confirm their correct position on track on the user interface embodied on a remote computing device 22 or mobile communications device 24. The skilled person will appreciate that the present invention also allows the engineering supervisor to, amongst other things, ensure that the earth straps 62 are removed before the overhead line equipment is re-energised.

The earth strap 62, having a tracking device 64 affixed thereto, may also automatically generate an alert condition to the engineering supervisor if personnel 10 come within a predetermined proximity distance, for example 40 metres, of the tracked earth straps 62a, 62b deployed at each end of the isolated overhead line equipment. This response can be triggered in the software itself by creating a virtual geographic boundary or geofence around the tracking device 64, and which triggers a response when a tracking device 12 worn by an individual worker 10 enters or leaves the geofence. The predetermined proximity distance of the virtual geographic boundary or geofence can be altered.

Alternatively, it is envisaged that the tracking device 64 deployed on the earth straps 62a, 62b are Bluetooth-enabled, and any local detection of personnel 10a, 10b, 10c entering within a predetermined distance generates an automatic audible and/or visual and/or haptic alert to the individual worker 10 and/or the engineering supervisor to warn that personnel 10a, 10b, 10c may be entering or leaving the safely isolated section of overhead line established between the first earth strap 62a and the second earth strap 62b.

According to the present invention, the tracking device 12 generates a warning alert to working parties on track should they depart from the geofence which confirms the geographic boundaries of the safe working limits of the designated worksite. This alert is directed to engineering supervisor support staff when establishing the site protection (ES markerboards) and general working parties should they unknowingly stray towards an open line.

The audible warning alert can be a spoken warning that the working party will receive from the tracking device 12 which will be an alert message along the lines of "WARNING WARNING WARNING YOU ARE ABOUT TO LEAVE THE SAFE WORK LIMITS OF YOUR WORKSITE". As mentioned above, as well as an audible alert, the tracking device 12 may also vibrate and produce a flashing light in case the person 10 wearing the device 12 is located in an area of high noise levels and cannot hear the audible alert, they will be able to sense the vibration on their body and see the flashing light.

If the working party exits the geofence and receives the site-based alert "WARNING WARNING WARNING YOU ARE ABOUT TO LEAVE THE SAFE WORK LIMITS OF YOUR WORKSITE" and/or if the working party nears the geofence boundaries formed by the earth straps 62a, 62b, an alert along the lines of "WARNING WARNING WARNING YOUR ARE NEARING THE END OF THE ISOLATION LIMITS" will be broadcast.

One or more of the personnel 10a, 10b, 10c of the working party can then open the application software 66 on their mobile communications device 24 to view or display real time, or near real time, mapping images of the worksite location so that they can assess their geographical position or spatial awareness in relation to, for example, the location of the open line, or where the ends of the isolation limits are, in relation to their current location.

When they view the display on their mobile communications devices 24, the working party they will be able to confirm that they moving in the correct direction into the safe io working limits of the worksite, otherwise if they simply receive an audible alert on track it may not be immediately apparent which direction the safe works limits of the worksite are. Of course, the engineering supervisor is additionally able to confirm the correct position of the the working party on track and to guide them, if necessary.

Referring to Figure 5, which is a high-level schematic diagram showing how the system and method for tracking deployed personnel and/or transportation assets, infrastructure and/or networks in accordance with the present invention can be provided via a remote application software 66 installed on the remote computing device 22 and/or a mobile communications device 24 Such devices 22, 24 generally comprise a processor 68 which is connected to memory 70, and to a communications interface 72, via a bus 74 The communications interface 72 is connected to the processor 68 through a bus 74 and is configured to receive, amongst other things, location signals from the trackers 12, 64 that are transmitted to server 18 The processor 68 can be processing circuitry such as a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), or a combination of a CPU and an NP. The processor 68 may further include a hardware chip. The hardware chip may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD) or a combination thereof The above list is in no way intended to be limiting.

As mentioned above, the memory 70 stores at least one instruction, a code set, or an instruction set 66. The at least one instruction, code set, or instruction set 66 is loaded and executed by the processor 68 to implement the method described herein. The memory 70 can be a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory or a combination thereof such is known to the person skilled in the art. Again, the above list is in no way intended to be limiting.

The application software 66 or user interface or dashboard embodied on the remote computing device 22 may include a mapping application which can be employed by a user to create and edit the virtual geofence boundary which sets the safe working limits of the designated worksite, as described herein. In particular, a user can create and edit one or more virtual geographic boundaries which are used to then track the tracking devices 12a, 12b, 12c, etc., as described in further detail below.

The mapping application provides geographical maps of locations with which the tracking devices 12a, 12b, 12c, etc. may be tracked. When using the present invention with railway assets, infrastructure and/or networks, high-definition laser scan data can be utilised which is in the form of a 3D point cloud. This dataset can be manipulated using a variety of software packages in order to produce a track string in X, Y, Z format -a set of geographic coordinates.

The geofence can also be transposed into Eastings (the X-coordinate) and Northing format (the Y-coordinate), as generally the Z-coordinate is not needed for the track position.

The geographic coordinates can be resolved into a set of coordinates that are associated with the tracking devices 12a, 12b, 12c, etc and forwarded to the tracking devices 12a, 12b, 12c, etc. for storage and use.

The geographical coordinates provides geofence data based on the level of detail needed. The geofence object can be circular or any polygon shape. When used with railway assets, infrastructure and/or networks, the resolution between points can be higher on curves or in stations/sidings where tracks converge. On straight sections of track, the resolution between points can be lower.

The geofence data relating to the predetermined worksite location is loaded into the application software 66 or user interface or dashboard is then sent to the tracking devices 12a, 12b, 12c, etc. As described herein, it is then possible to determine, based upon the geofence data and the detected position, whether the tracked device 12a, 12b, 12c, etc. is located inside the predetermined worksite location or outside the predetermined worksite location and alert/alarm, as necessary.

Therefore, the system and method for tracking personnel according to the present invention greatly improves safety and reduces the administrative burden of established paper-based monitoring systems.

ID When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

Is The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in the terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, separately, or in any combination of such features, can be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof The invention is not intended to be limited to the details of the embodiments described herein, which are described by way of example only. It will be understood that features described in relation to any particular embodiment can be featured in combination with other embodiments It is contemplated by the inventor that various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Examples of these include the following: It is envisaged that an avatar or icon which represents an individual worker 10 or working party or team also includes or displays the contact telephone number for that individual or team.

Whilst the system and method for tracking personnel and assets according to the present invention utilises Global Positioning System (UPS) enabled satellite location devices, this is in no way intended to be limiting as the present invention can be utilised using other known satellite navigation systems, such as, for example, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou and combinations thereof, or other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).

The skilled person will appreciate that the location of the tracked personnel and assets can be transmitted continuously or intermittently, in real time, or near real time, to sub-metre precision using a number of receivers that are known in the art, arid which prevents working parties from straying onto open lines or tracks.

Whilst the present invention envisages assigning a tracking device 12 to mobile assets and equipment, such as an engineering train, freight train, machinery, passenger train, plant, road-rail vehicle, trailer, trolley, worksite markerboard, and rail earth straps 62 and the like, and then generating an alarm condition if such tracked mobile assets and equipment enter the boundaries of the safe working limits of the designated worksite. The skilled person will understand that there is a risk that an untracked or somehow overlooked mobile asset, such as, for example, an inadvertently detached trolley, could enter the boundaries of the safe working limits of the designated worksite. In order to address this, the system and method for tracking personnel and assets according to the present invention may also comprises a deployable sensor arrangement which is disposed to detect the presence of mobile assets within the boundaries of the safe working limits of the designated worksite.

In a preferred embodiment, the deployable sensor arrangement comprises a trip mechanism which will be positioned at the limits of the worksite and which corresponds to placement of the worksite markerboards on the track. The trip mechanism can be a laser or other optical transmitter and receiver pair which are placed across the rails, or a pair of passive infrared sensors (P1R) disposed across the rails which are capable of detecting the presence of a mobile asset. Other types of trip mechanism can be used provided they are capable of detecting the presence of a mobile asset, such as a trip wire which is trailed across both rails of the track, and the wheels of mobile asset would sever the wire causing an alarm condition.

If a train, RRV, trolley, trailer or any other type of machine or asset was to unknowingly enter the worksite, the trip mechanism would recognise this unauthorised encroachment into the worksite and automatically activate an alert to all working parties in that site via the tracking devices 12 or by means of a group call. The warning that the personnel 10 will receive from the tracking device 12 will be a spoken alert along the lines of "WARNING WARNING WARNING ONCOMING DANGER PLEASE FIND A PLACE OF SAFETY". Again, as well as an audible alert, the tracking device 12 may also vibrate and produce a flashing light in case the person 10 wearing the device 12 is located in an area of high noise levels and cannot hear the audible alert, they will be able ID to sense the vibration on their body and see the flashing light.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system for tracking the location of a person or asset being assigned with a uniquely identifiable tracking device, comprising: means for assigning a virtual geographic perimeter which corresponds to a predetermined worksite location; and means for generating an alert or alarm condition if the tracked person or asset enters or departs from the predetermined worksite location.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the virtual geographic perimeter is set by a user or is defined by worksite markerboards having location determining means affixed thereto, the worksite markerboards being positioned at each end of the predetermined worksite location.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the virtual geographic perimeter includes a set of coordinates being presented as longitude and latitude and/or as Easting and Northing.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set of coordinates being sent to the tracking device, and based on the detected position of the tracking device it is determinable whether the tracked device is located inside the predetermined worksite location or outside the predetermined worksite location
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein when used with railway assets, infrastructure and/or networks, high-definition laser scan data can be utilised in the form of a 3D point cloud, the 3D point cloud being transposed into a set of coordinates.
6. The system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising a deployable sensor arrangement being disposed adjacent to the worksite markerboard to detect the presence of unauthorised mobile assets within virtual geographic perimeter.
7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the deployable sensor arrangement comprises a laser or other optical transmitter and receiver pair positionable across the rails of the track and/or a pair of passive infrared sensors (PIR) disposed across the rails of the track and/or a trip wire which is trailed across both rails of the track, and being capable of detecting the presence of the unauthorised mobile asset.
8. The system as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the alert or alarm condition is an audible and/or visual and/or haptic warning to the user or person, and/or optionally wherein the audible warning is a discernible message.
9. A method of tracking and communicating location information for a portable io worksite markerboard to a display screen of a remote computing device, comprising the steps of receiving from a deployed worksite markerboard having location determining means affixed thereto a location; and displaying the location to said user indicating the location of the deployed worksite markerboard on the display screen of a remote computing device.
10. A method for tracking the location of a person being assigned with a uniquely identifiable tracking device, comprising the steps of: displaying the location of the person on the screen of a remote computing device; assigning a virtual geographic perimeter to a predetermined worksite location; and generating an alert or alarm condition to a user if the person departs from the predetermined worksite location.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the uniquely identifiable tracking device is a Global Positioning System (UPS) tracking device, wherein the UPS tracking device passes location information wirelessly via satellites to a ground-based receiving aerial connected to a server.
12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the location of the person is displayed via a remote application software and/or user interface embodied on the remote computing device and/or a mobile communications device being uniquely connected to the server, wherein the remote application software being downloaded to the remote computing device and/or a mobile communications device via known digital media platforms.
13. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the remote computing device is selected from the group consisting, but not limited to, any one of the following: tablet computer, handheld computer, personal digital assistant, media player, desktop computer, notebook, virtual reality headset, smart watch, smart TV, any other digital media consumption device and the like, wherein the mobile communications device may be a cellular mobile phone, ID smartphone, two-way radio and the like, and/or optionally wherein the remote computing device and/or mobile communications device is connected to the sewer via wireless transmission protocols selected from the group consisting, but not limited to, any one of the following: Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 standard), Bluetooth, LoRa, Sigfox, Global System for Mobile (GSM) cellular telecommunications network and the like.
14. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the location of the person is transmitted continuously or intermittently, in real time, or near real time, from the tracking device, and remotely accessing and retrieving by the user, and/or optionally wherein the person can initiate direct contact with the user by means of a two-way radio incorporated into the tracking device.
15. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the remote application mapping software displays or overlays the location of the nearest access point or points to the person and/or predetermined worksite location, and/or optionally wherein the location of the person in a working party is displayed as an icon or avatar which also includes the contact telephone number of the person proximate to the icon or avatar, and wherein in the event of an emergency or accident situation the access point or points are highlighted on the display such that the user when reporting the incident to emergency/rescue services being able to additionally supply the post code and/or coordinates thereof
16. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the geolocation data obtained from the tracking devices being utilised in an automated time tracking application.
17. The method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein if there is a confluence of persons working in separate working parties within a certain predetermined distance, then the tracking devices of both persons emit an audible and/or visual and/or haptic proximity warning or alert to signify that another working party is nearby.
18. The method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising the steps of: assigning a uniquely identifiable tracking device to at least one mobile asset selected from the group consisting, but not limited to, any one of the following: engineering train, freight train, machinery, passenger train, plant, road-rail vehicle, trailer, trolley, worksite markerboard and the like; and displaying the location of the mobile asset on the screen of a remote computing device.
19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the uniquely identifiable tracking devices being removably securable to the mobile asset by means of a magnetic attachment, and/or optionally wherein a virtual geographic boundary is formed as a radius around the worksite markerboard assigned with a uniquely identifiable tracking device, and wherein the application software being operable to issue an alarm condition if the person enters into the virtual geographic boundary, and/or wherein the tracking device deployed on the worksite markerboard and/or the person emits an audible and/or visual and/or haptic proximity warning or alert and/or notifies the user.
20. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein in the event of an emergency or accident, or possible emergency situation, the remote application software being operable to send to each person in a working party a group message via a push or in-app notification or alert and/or short message service (SN1S) text message and/or e-mail notification and/or a group GSM cellular telecommunications call and/or a two-way radio call to communicate a warning to each person's mobile communications device, and/or optionally wherein the remote application software and/or user interface is additionally displayed to a driver or operator of any vehicle travelling on railway assets, infrastructure and/or networks, the vehicle being selected from the group consisting, but not limited to, any one of the following: engineering train, freight train, passenger train, road-rail vehicle and the like.
21. The method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising the steps of: assigning a uniquely identifiable tracking device to a rail earth strap being used for temporarily short-circuiting of electrically isolated overhead line equipment during ID maintenance or remedial works; and displaying the location of the rail earth strap on the screen of a remote computing device
22. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the uniquely identifiable tracking devices being removably securable to the rail earth strap, and/or optionally wherein a virtual geographic boundary is formed as a radius around the rail earth strap assigned with a uniquely identifiable tracking device, and wherein the application software being operable to issue an alarm condition if the person enters into the virtual geographic boundary, and/or wherein the tracking device deployed on the rail earth strap and/or the person emits an audible and/or haptic proximity warning or alert and/or notifies the user.
23. A system for tracking the location of a person being assigned with a uniquely identifiable tracking device, comprising: means for displaying the location of the person on the screen of a remote computing device; means for assigning a virtual geographic perimeter to a predetermined worksite location; and means for generating an alert or alarm condition to a user if the person departs from the predetermined worksite location.
24. The system as claimed in claim 23, wherein a plurality of uniquely identifiable tracking devices are stored and charged in a charging cradle for deployment, wherein the charging cradle comprises a USB port for connection to a mobile communications device, the mobile communications device being uniquely associated with each of the plurality of uniquely identifiable tracking devices on the charging cradle, and wherein the plurality of uniquely identifiable tracking devices being arranged to automatically contact the mobile communications device of the user in the event of an emergency situation or whereby the person activates an SOS signal.
25. A computer program product for tracking the location of a person being assigned with a uniquely identifiable tracking device, comprising: computer program means for displaying the location of the tracking device on the ID screen of a remote computing device; computer program means for assigning a virtual geographic perimeter to a predetermined worksite location; and computer program means for generating an alert or alarm condition to a user if the person departs from the predetermined worksite location.