What Makes A Solar Pedestrian Crossing and Forklift Alert System Ideal for Warehouse Safety?
Client Brief
Unitrans Supply Chain Solutions needed to address a high-risk WH&S area in their warehouse. A narrow alleyway intersected a off-grid solar pedestrian warning system and adjoining pallet racking, creating blind spots for forklifts and pedestrians, which increased the risk of collisions. The client requested a reliable solar pedestrian crossing system and a forklift alert system to indicate when pedestrians or forklifts were present.
Key points:
- Narrow alleyway and fixed forklift paths created serious blind spots.
- Required dual-direction visual alerts for both pedestrians and forklift drivers.
- Needed a system that could reliably reduce WH&S risks in a high-traffic area.
Assessment
After initial consultations, several challenges became apparent. First, as the works would all be internal, mains power access would be needed. Second, as the pedestrians and forklifts entered the alleyway at opposite sides, multiple points of visual alerts would be required, each being tailored to drivers or pedestrians accordingly. Third, the visual alerts indicating a forklift is in the alleyway will need to remain active the entire time a forklift is present.
Outcome
The Australian made solar pedestrian warning system and forklift entranceway were built as two independent alert systems. Installed was a push button triggered system at the pedestrian crossing, which would illuminate a back-lit, edge-lit pedestrian crossing sign at forklift entranceway to the alley. The sign would illuminate for 20 seconds, giving pedestrians significant time to walk across the alleyway, while indicating to drivers not to enter.
On the Forklift entranceway side, several long-range motion detector beams were installed running down the length of the alleyway, which illuminate several custom built, back-lit, edge-lit forklift warning signs when triggered. When a forklift driver enters the alleyway, they will trigger the solar pedestrian warning system’s motion detections beams, automatically alerting pedestrians on the other end that a forklift was present, where they would wait for them to pass before proceeding.
The two solar pedestrian warning systems work exceptionally well and achieve Unitrans’ objective of reducing the WH&S risk in the location.
Key points:
- Driver and pedestrian safety: Provides clear, authoritative alerts for pedestrians and drivers.
- Visibility: Edge-lit and back-lit signage improves visibility in low-light conditions.
- Optimal timing: Timed illumination ensures pedestrians can safely traverse the alleyway.