Tackling myths: collision avoidance edition

When it comes to the technologies of proximity and collision avoidance, some myths still remain about how the systems impact miners and the mining process. NAM recently spoke to Mile Walling, president of Americas, Strata Worldwide, to set the record straight.

Mine safety systems are designed to protect the life of the miner, but is that at the expense of production numbers? According to Walling, a popular myth is that collision avoidance hinders productivity, and that is simply not true.

“There’s a lingering misconception in some industries that collision avoidance systems slow down operations or restrict productivity. The reality is quite the opposite,” he said.

“Modern systems are engineered not only to enhance safety, but also to optimize performance and unlock new operational efficiencies.

He pointed out that, as operators become familiar with their system, it becomes second nature – an ally rather than a barrier.

“Instead of slowing down due to fear of incidents, operators gain confidence knowing that the system acts as a safeguard for both people and assets. It allows them to focus on their work with peace of mind, leading to smoother and more decisive operations,” he stressed.

It is key to debunking the myth, too, to know that a collision avoidance system can actually drive improvement because today’s systems offer real-time data – information far beyond what was seen in first-generation technology.

“Today’s advanced collision avoidance solutions offer far more than alerts; they provide instantaneous feedback, real-time video capture, and detailed operational insights that can be used to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, or hazardous behavior,” Walling said. “This data enables managers to implement smarter standard operating procedures (SOPs) and streamline workflows – often revealing opportunities to do more with less.” Another benefit to the CAs of today is taking that data and pairing it with accountability when events do occur, so that a mine can ensure it is making continuous improvements to its performance as a team, as well as changing the behavior of each worker individually.

“With objective data on vehicle paths, near-misses, and behavior trends, teams gain visibility into their operations like never before. This not only supports safety compliance but creates a culture of accountability and continuous improvement – where performance is measured, tracked, and refined,” he noted.

Many systems now integrate with telematics and maintenance platforms to detect anomalies or risky patterns that may lead to mechanical issues, allowing better proactive maintenance that, in turn, leads to reduced downtime, keeping machines operational longer and minimizing costly disruptions.

“Rather than hinder productivity, collision avoidance systems enable it – by protecting people, reducing incidents, and unlocking valuable operational data that drives smarter, more efficient work,” Walling said. “In a high-risk, high-demand world, safety and productivity are no longer mutually exclusive – they’re part of the same equation.