Fulton Hogan says workers receive an instant alert via vibration, flashing light and sound if danger is detected. Photo: 123RF File photo
A New Zealand company is trialling a watch-type device with its Australian roadworkers that warns them if danger is near.
Fulton Hogan is testing the new technology from Acusensus, a Melbourne company that is taking over mobile speed cameras in New Zealand.
The device worn on the wrist means workers can be tracked in real time.
The worksite has sensors and a live real-time dashboard to identify traffic threats around road crews and workers exposed to road side conditions.
"For example, if a vehicle crosses into the shoulder at high speed, workers receive an instant alert via vibration, flashing light and sound," said Fulton Hogan.
The device worn on the wrist means workers can be tracked in real time. Photo: Acusensus
The trial was limited to Australia, with no immediate plans to roll it out in New Zealand.
The roadworker technology is part of the company's international expansion plans, its investor presentations showed.
In New Zealand, Acusensus signed a five-year contract worth up to $100m in December, to operate mobile speed cameras for NZTA Waka Kotahi.
This is limited to catching speedsters and red-light runners at this stage.
The tech company's AI-enabled cameras are also able to see inside a car to spot if seatbelts are not worn or the driver is using their phone, and it is testing other technology in the UK for spotting if a driver is drunk or impaired.
Neither of these two uses can be deployed to catch drivers under New Zealand law.
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