RCT – Powered by Epiroc is helping transform warehouse safety at one of Australia’s leading logistics providers with the successful deployment of its advanced Pedestrian Alert System (PAS).
The client identified increasing safety risks within its warehouse and distribution environments, driven by higher activity levels, mixed materials handling equipment (MHE), and frequent pedestrian interaction.
Determined to proactively address these challenges, the company’s National Asset Manager initiated a comprehensive evaluation of emerging safety technologies, seeking a solution that could deliver real-time, highly accurate pedestrian detection without disrupting operations.
Warehouse environments are inherently complex, with forklifts, reach trucks, and other equipment operating in close proximity to personnel at all times.
Despite robust safety protocols already in place, the business experienced a rise in near-miss incidents and identified limitations in traditional controls such as signage, barriers, and high-visibility PPE.
In addition, most existing detection technologies trialled proved inconsistent in high-traffic, dynamic environments, highlighting the need for a more reliable and scalable solution.
A nationwide trial was therefore conducted across high-activity sites, assessing a range of technologies including wearable solutions, tag-based proximity systems, and AI-driven camera detection, which included our Pedestrian Alert System (PAS).
Each solution was evaluated against key operational criteria, including detection accuracy, reliability, false alert rates, ease of integration, and operator usability.
Following extensive testing, our PAS emerged as the clear leader.
“The solution demonstrated exceptional real-time detection accuracy, with zero false positives recorded during trial periods, eliminating unnecessary operator distraction,” said RCT’s Industrial Global Business Development Manager, Nigel Goode.
“It also delivered consistent performance across diverse environments, including high-density traffic zones, while offering seamless integration across mixed Material Handling Equipment fleets,” he added.
Based on the successful trial, the logistics provider has formally adopted RCT’s PAS as its exclusive pedestrian detection solution.
A phased rollout is now underway across its national network, prioritising high-risk sites and facilities with elevated levels of pedestrian and equipment interaction.
The system is being deployed across a wide range of equipment, ensuring consistent safety standards across all operations.
“The PAS system’s ease of installation and configuration has further supported rapid deployment without impacting operations,” he added.
The adoption of PAS will significantly reduce near misses and potential incidents while improving operator awareness and response times.
“It also reinforces a strong safety culture and supports the company’s commitment to achieving zero harm across its operations,” he said.
This initiative marks an important step forward in leveraging advanced technology to create safer, smarter warehouse environments.
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Emma Young, RCT Communications Officer
Safety is paramount for national printing specialist, Ovato who have successfully utilised RCT’s Muirhead® Speed Gates solution at its warehouse operations in Western Australia.
Muirhead® Speed Gates automatically reduces an industrial machine’s speed depending on pre-determined speed restrictions across a logistics site.
Meaning that regardless of operator input this product effectively enforces speed limits in yards, inside warehouses and common pedestrian areas.
The technology is mounted above warehouse entrances/exits and racking aisles and communicates with Machine Location Tags fitted to the roof of equipment such as forklifts and reach trucks.
Ovato WA Logistics Manager Mark Mead said their operation uses a fleet of Toyota forklifts including plain models and machines with clamp and grab capabilities.
He said since being installed the Speed Gates have worked well and the site has not recorded any incidents.
“I have had no reports from anybody on site about any issues or problems so I would say they have definitely been a success at this location,” he said.
“The product is pretty much set and forget so the staff are aware it is there and when driving the forklifts you notice the change in speeds when you drive around inside the warehouse and then move outside.”
Mr Mead said they sought to install Speed Gates to improve safe forklift operations and ensure compliance with safety policies.
“Similar to how we have speed limits for cars onsite it is important we have the same rules with forklifts,” he said.
“If you are carrying a two-tonne load then you want to have confidence that you are in control of the machine’s speed so it makes sense to have Speed Gates for sure.”
