Pittsburgh-based Wabtec Corporation has successfully tested its Collision Awareness System vehicle intervention solution.

The tests demonstrated that the CAS solution passed all necessary criteria when paired with Komatsu's Machine Intervention Controller.

Wabtec was also able to definitively decelerate a haul truck under a controlled deacceleration strategy.

"This initiative proves the broader communication capabilities of our GPS integration solution, which helps to optimise brake functions and mobility dynamics of a large rigid body haul truck," Wabtec executive Henro Van Wyk said.

The tests undertaken by Wabtec were to determine the ability to integrate and decelerate Komatsu 730E and 860E haul trucks at speeds up to 30 kilometers per hour. The tests mark the first time Wabtec has validated a mining product at Level 9 of the Earth Moving Equipment Safety Round Table Defensive Controls Model for a major OEM.

Wabtec plans to expand testing for a variety of interaction scenarios and decelerations. It aims to improve the Vehicle Intervention Solution performance by adjusting detection zones for braking distance, speed, and real-time payload and haul road grade.

Wabtec's 7/8 CAS solution is already in use across 40 mines, with 370 million hours of operation.