All you need to know about Forklift Anti-Collision Systems

According to OSHA, up to 70 % of forklift accidents can be prevented by a higher level of safety.

The Forklift Anti-Collision system eliminates the blind spots in operation and autonomously invokes the required predefined actions like autonomous deceleration of the Forklift against the other Forklift, towards the pedestrians, and in specific zones.

​Some Forklift Anti-Collision systems are fully compatible with projection marking. The projection of the safety symbol is triggered by the motion of the Forklift. The system is designed for all-electric Forklift manufacturers and to be transferable from the fleet to the fleet.

This technology helps to safeguard the vehicle operator by proactively analyzing and alerting them of possible risk scenarios.

There are multiple benefits from the Health and Safety perspective that are offered by Forklift Anti-Collision Systems:

Improved level of safety in operation nearby the Forklifts
2Alert forklift driver and if required, the 3rd party
Elimination of blind spots i.e. of operational blindness
Saving on costs and downtime;
Prevent Asset Loss;

Types of Anti-Collision Systems

There are various types of anti-collision systems available for logistic vehicles. They include:

• ‍Forward Collision Warning System (FCW)

• FCW system is a cutting-edge safety technology that keeps track of a vehicle’s speed, with the car’s speed in front of it and the distance between them. The FCW system will notify the driver of an impending collision if vehicles draw too near due to the speed of the rear car.

• ‍Rear Anti-Collision SystemThe rear collision avoidance device is a high-tech safety system that can detect oncoming vehicles when reversing. This technology helps avoid and prevent rear collisions when backing up, even in low visibility, by using sensors positioned at the rear end of the vehicle.

• ‍Lane Departure Warning SystemThis type of collision avoidance system alerts the driver if their vehicle starts moving out of its lane, and it can be especially beneficial for real-time blind-spot detection.

• ‍Pedestrian Detection SystemCyclists and pedestrians are the most vulnerable targets for automobiles, accounting for at least a quarter of all traffic fatalities. A pedestrian detection system utilizes sensors to detect human movement on the road, such as cyclists or jaywalkers, to assist drivers in spotting a moving object before it is too late.

• ‍Automatic Braking System (ABS)An ABS is a car braking system that activates when it detects an oncoming obstacle. Most automatic emergency braking (ABS) systems apply a fraction of the braking force to give the driver more time to intervene, while some apply the brakes until the vehicle comes to a complete stop.

Functionality offered by Forklift Anti-Collision Systems

• Accurate distance measuring

• System can provide real-time, precise distance between forklifts or, depending on the end user’s specific needs, between trucks and pedestrians, with a measurement frequency up to 100 times per second with a precision up to 10cm.

• 360 degree collision warning

• Warning between forklift and pedestrians, multiple forklifts within the same area.

• Autonomous speed deceleration

• When approaching another Forklift, Pedestrian or Zone, the forklift will automatically reduce speed and if required, stop

• Zoning

• One of the most common zones where many forklift accidents occur is warehouse doors, as drivers frequently fail to allow adequate time for the doors to open, collide with the doors or other objects while traveling through.

• Some Forklift Anti-Collision systems activate electronic devices such as warehouse doors, gates, barriers, and the LED projectors. The system can either slow the vehicle down or activate the door at certain distance so that by the time the Forklift arrives the door is fully open. Zoning can happen Indoor and Outdoor.

• Work area can be divided into multiple risk levels, e.g. Safe Zone / Alarm Zone /No-Go Zones.

Required Equipment

Equipment required for implementing a Forklift Anti-Collision Systems are

• Personnel Tag – Tags that are worn by Pedestrians and enable the system to recognize and locate them

• Truck Tag – Tags installed on the Forklift Trucks to enable the system to recognize and locate them.

• Speed Cutter – Installed on the Forklift and deccelerates the truck when it approaches pre-defined zones, pedestrians or other tag wearers.

• Ambient Tag – to be installed in the field as fixed element.

• Visual / Accoustic signals – To be installed into the truck cabin, alerts the driver about distance thresholds, as well as the pedestrians about approaching vehicles.

• Central Operating Unit – and of course you will need a Central Unit that will activate and operate all tags and act as a brain of the system.

Companies offering Forklift Anti-Collision Systems

• Sis Safety (Italy)

• Waytronic Security Technology (China)

• Alis Tech (Czech Republic)

• Sharp Eagle (United Kingdom)