PDS Validation Framework

Due to the harsh environments that may be present at a mine site, vehicle collisions and interactions can be commonplace. Of more concern are the dynamic nature and complexity of these interactions - especially when considering the catastrophic nature of an interaction that involves high-risk mining vehicles; and the difficulty that both end-users and suppliers have in understanding the capability of the systems in varied conditions and sites.

There are two key objectives for the third phase of the project. The first is to develop a scientific and feasible baseline PDS industry testing framework, and the second is to validate the testing methodology in a meaningful and measurable way. The intent behind these objectives is to provide end users and suppliers with baseline test data that indicates whether or not a PDS satisfies fundamental capability needs before full-scale piloting of a PDS occurs on a mine site. If a system cannot pass these fundamental baseline tests, there is no point to a site implementation involving even more complex and dynamic vehicle interactions and the need for more rigorous testing that integrates multi-variate complex dynamic scenarios, specific operational control level assessment, environment, and other integration requirements.

An updated to a Phase 2 deliverable, the PDS Sensor have been provided in phase 3 of this project.

Toolkit as technology has advanced to some extent since Phases 1 and 2 were completed. The Sensor Toolkit and the newly developed website serving as a PDS project knowledge repository available to the industry, also supplement the Phase 3 testing framework developed for this study. Mining3 will update the repository from time-to-time.

The Phase 3 baseline series of tests developed are stand-alone and do not need to be conducted in an active production environment (hence the term baseline). If followed as prescribed, the baseline testing framework can be successfully used as a screening strategy in system selection. It is important to note that the baseline testing framework does not take into consideration any pre-existing site controls (up to level 6) that can be found within the end-user operations. Nor does the baseline testing framework take into consideration complex, multi-variate dynamic vehicle interactions that may be found within end-user operations. The baseline testing regime is solely meant to de-risk decision making and provide meaningful information to end-users and suppliers alike, as to whether or not the system can demonstrate basic functional capability and whether or not the system should progress to a site pilot or case study for broader implementation, and to some extend it may provide insight about system development modifications that may be necessary for successful site implementation.

The successful documentation of these concepts (see Appendix B and supplementary documentation) and the launch of an online PDS toolkit, assists in bridging knowledge across all stakeholders in the industry towards improved systems, and, ultimately, the implementation of said systems. Furthermore, the development, execution and successful validation of a testing framework for PDS is demonstrated in this report, representing key advantages in four specific areas:

• Realistic: the ability for the methodology to involve representative vehicles (i.e., a Haul Truck (HT)) within representative scenarios as identified through: (a) an independent review; and (b) existing documentation such as EMESRT Performance Requirement 5A (PR-5A);
• Technically/Physically Achievable: the ability for a test methodology to be adopted at different sites, utilising different PDS from different suppliers, with capability reporting possible to understand key (baseline) factors;
• Efficiency: the ability for the methodology to, under the use of large, high-risk vehicles (i.e., a HT), be performed in a relatively short time period for practicality (approx. 9h for all tests, with a proposed test period of approx. 2 days - taking into account repeat tests and breaks); and
• Scientifically Rigorous: the ability for the methodology to involve a suite of tests that include repeatability and randomization towards determining statistically significant findings.

In addition, project results include providing valuable insight towards the development of PDS, through recommendations and guidelines that include:

• User Interface (UI) development recommendations to enable practical and safe implementation of PDS;
• A review of key sensor technologies prevalent towards PDS development; and
• The development, validation and discussion of practical tests towards PDS capability documentation that is safe, repeatable, and scientifically rigorous.

Understanding key sensor technologies prevalent towards PDS allows end-users, and to an extent the developers themselves the following:

• A high-level understanding of what each sensing technology is capable of
• What each sensing technology attempts to accomplish
• The specific sensing technology details and high-level working principles,
• The advantages and limitations of emerging state-of-the-art technology ; and
• The state of play regarding considerations pertaining to the sensing technology, possible evaluation techniques to verify the sensing accuracy and robustness of each technology, as well as conclusions and recommendations.

Both phase reports are provided.