Tower cranes are a common sight on construction sites. While they are essential to lifting operations, negligence and malpractice can lead to serious accidents, causing not only property damage, but also injuries and deaths. When it comes to safety, supervision is key. For this purpose, Dr Tony Lee Chi-chung, Head of the Department of Construction and Quality Management, and Dr Crystal Han Jie, Assistant Professor, from the School of Science and Technology led a team to develop the Sensor-based Tower Crane Safety Monitoring and Management System, which integrates various smart technologies.
The system is an Internet of Things-based network connecting sensors, embedded systems, data collection and storage, and database technology to offer a comprehensive set of safety monitoring features. The core feature is a collision alarm that would be triggered when two tower cranes get too close and potential collision is detected. The system can also issue voice warnings to alert the tower crane driver in case of anticipated danger, giving them ample time to slow down, reduce gears, press the brake pedal and so on. In addition to safety features like collision prevention, anti-overturning measures, real-time alarms and precise hoisting, it also allows regulatory authorities and construction site owners to supervise tower crane operations real-time, transmit data wirelessly and register tower cranes remotely. This effective, all-in-one system was recognised at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva with a Silver Medal.
