Abstract: A system and method for driver guidance are presented. A position sensor is mounted to a vehicle. The position sensor is configured to identify a position of the vehicle and a heading of the vehicle. A device is configured to generate a plurality of outputs. A controller is connected to the position sensor and the display device. The controller is configured to access, via a wireless communications network, a database to identify a target loading location for the vehicle, determine a location and a heading of the target loading location for the vehicle, and modify at least one of the plurality of outputs of the display device based upon at least one of the location and the heading of the target loading location.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing power usage in mining environments. The amount of power needed to operate a set of electrical machines that are to run simultaneously is determined. Power usage by the electrical machines during a time period can be predicted based on how much power is expected to be needed by each machine. If the predicted power usage exceeds a threshold power usage, power to one or more electrical machines in the mining environment is restricted so that actual power usage in the mining environment does not exceed the threshold power usage during the specified time period. The electrical machines which will have power restricted thereto can be selected based at least in part on relative priorities for the electrical machines in the set. Power can be restricted to machines as a whole (an effective shutdown), or to specific operations of the machines.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle is provided herein that includes a position sensor configured to identify a location of the vehicle and a heading of the vehicle. A human-machine interface (HMI) is operatively coupled with the vehicle. A controller is in electronic communication with the position sensor and the HMI. The controller is configured to access one or more databases to identify a first location, a first heading, and a first speed for the vehicle, and to identify a first aggregate heading value and a first aggregate speed value associated with the first location; determine that either the heading or the speed of the vehicle is outside of acceptable ranges; and issue a wave-off alert to the HMI when the vehicle is outside of acceptable ranges.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a path to a target destination are presented. A position sensor is mounted to a haul truck. The position sensor is configured to identify a position of the haul truck. A distributed objects database stores information describing target destinations within a mining environment and performance characteristics of the haul truck. A navigation aid is connected to the position sensor. The navigation aid is configured to identify a target destination for the haul truck, retrieve a performance characteristic of the haul truck from the distributed objects database, and calculate a first path to the target destination using the performance characteristic of the haul truck. A user interface is connected to the navigation aid. The user interface is configured to display the first path for an operator of the haul truck.

Abstract: A system and method includes accessing a road network database to identify a tire cost for a plurality of edges in a mining road network, identifying least-cost paths between each of a plurality of nodes on the mining road network using the tire cost for each of the plurality of edges, the nodes including a loading area and a dumping area for a plurality of haul trucks, accessing a distributed objects database to identify constraints for the nodes on the mining road network, determining a production plan using the constraints for the nodes on the mining road network by maximizing a function of the form ?f?(x)??g?(x), where f?(x) is a normalized measure of productivity, g?(x) is a normalized measure of impact on tire conditioning, and ? and ? are nonnegative constants with ?+?=1, subject to constraints on resource capacities and production requirements, with the material flow rates between each of the nodes on the mining road network specifying the production plan, determining a task assignment for each of the

Abstract: A system and method for zone projection are presented. Specifically, anticipated paths of travel are determined for a number of different vehicles operating within an environment. Based upon those anticipated paths of travel, as well as likely stopping distances of each vehicle, the system generate zones around each vehicle. These projected zones define a geographical region into which each vehicle is likely to proceed as it maneuvers about the environment. With the zones determined, the system is configured to detect zones that overlap, and, when such overlapping zones are detected, can generate an alarm warning of a potential collision condition that may exist between the two corresponding vehicles.

Abstract: A system and method for driver guidance are presented. A position sensor is mounted to a vehicle. The position sensor is configured to identify a position of the vehicle and a heading of the vehicle. A device is configured to generate a plurality of outputs. A controller is connected to the position sensor and the display device. The controller is configured to access, via a wireless communications network, a database to identify a target loading location for the vehicle, determine a location and a heading of the target loading location for the vehicle, and modify at least one of the plurality of outputs of the display device based upon at least one of the location and the heading of the target loading location.

Abstract: A system for monitoring vehicle dynamics and detecting adverse events during operation is presented. Position sensors attached to a vehicle are configured to identify a vehicle orientation (heading) as well as the vehicle's direction of travel (trajectory). A system controller connected to these position sensors can detect the difference between these two measurements. When the difference between these two measurements exceeds a safety threshold, it can be an indication of a slip event. A slip event can be caused by compromised traction or stability and may lead to a loss of vehicle control. The system controller can be configured to monitor various vehicle dynamics to detect these slip events. The system controller may be configured to track geolocations of slip events to create a database of historical slip events for determining location-based risk factors and prevention of future events.

Abstract: A system for monitoring vehicle dynamics and detecting adverse events during operation is presented. Position sensors attached to a vehicle are configured to identify a vehicle orientation (heading) as well as the vehicle's direction of travel (trajectory). A system controller connected to these position sensors can detect the difference between these two measurements. When the difference between these two measurements exceeds a safety threshold, it can be an indication of a slip event. A slip event can be caused by compromised traction or stability and may lead to a loss of vehicle control. The system controller can be configured to monitor various vehicle dynamics to detect these slip events. The system controller may be configured to track geolocations of slip events to create a database of historical slip events for determining location-based risk factors and prevention of future events.