UWB-based positioning technology for real-time safety management at TBM tunnel construction sites

Seung-Jae Lee; Jong-Man Kwon; Yu-Seok Kim; Chaemin Hwang

doi:10.9711/KTAJ.2025.27.1.013

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2025 Vol.27, Issue 1 Preview Page Next Page

Technical Paper

UWB-based positioning technology for real-time safety management at TBM tunnel construction sites TBM 터널 시공현장의 실시간 안전관리를 위한 UWB 기반 위치추적 기술

31 January 2025. pp. 13-21

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Abstract

Recently, with increasing interest in the utilization of underground space in urban centers, TBM (tunnel boring machine) tunnels have become longer and larger. As a result, it is crucial to prevent safety accidents and respond quickly to emergencies by identifying the real-time locations of construction workers. Unlike other construction industries, precise location tracking of TBM workers is essential due to the enclosed environment of the tunnel, the expansion of the construction site through excavation, and the use of heavy equipment. This paper proposes a system that tracks the location of workers, materials, and structures using ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless communication technology for TBM tunnel construction sites. A system construction plan is presented that considers the specific characteristics of these sites. Detailed UWB-based positioning technologies for calculating workers’ location coordinates are introduced, and the optimal technology is selected, considering the unique challenges of tunnel construction. Additionally, components of the location tracking system, such as worker tags and UWB anchor nodes, were chosen. The optimal location tracking system for the construction site was proposed by analyzing the key considerations for each component.

Keywords

Ultra-wideband

Tunnel boring machine (TBM)

Underground space

Positioning technology

Two-way ranging (TWR)

최근 도심지 등의 지하공간 활용에 대한 관심이 증대되면서, TBM (tunnel boring machine) 터널의 장대화, 대형화가 되어가는 추세이다. 이에 시공현장 작업자의 실시간 위치파악을 통해 안전사고를 예방하고 비상상황에 신속히 대응하는 것이 중요하다. 타 건설산업과 달리 터널의 밀폐된 환경, 굴진에 의한 시공현장의 확장, 중장비 사용 등에 의하여 TBM 공법 작업자의 위치정보는 정밀히 파악되어야 한다. 따라서 본 논문에서는 TBM 공법을 적용한 터널 시공현장을 대상으로 초광대역(ultra-wideband, UWB) 무선통신 기술을 활용해 작업자, 자재, 시공 구조물 등의 위치를 추적하는 시스템을 제안하고, 실제 현장특성을 고려한 시스템 구축 방안을 제시하였다. 작업자의 위치좌표를 산정하기 위한 UWB 기반 세부 위치측위 기술들을 소개하고, 터널 시공현장 특수성을 고려하여 최적 기술을 선정하였다. 또한, 작업자 태그, UWB 앵커노드 등 위치추적 시스템의 구성요소를 선정하고, 각 요소의 주요 고려사항을 분석하여 최적의 시공현장 위치추적 시스템 구성 방안을 제시하였다.

키워드

초광대역

TBM

지하공간

위치추적 기술

TWR

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Information

Publisher :Korean Tunneling and Underground Space Association
Publisher(Ko) :한국터널지하공간학회
Journal Title :Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
Journal Title(Ko) :한국터널지하공간학회 논문집
Volume : 27
No :1
Pages :13-21
Received Date : 2024-11-11
Revised Date : 2024-12-31
Accepted Date : 2025-01-03
DOI :https://doi.org/10.9711/KTAJ.2025.27.1.013

Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association ISSN:2233-8292(Print) 2287-4747(Online) 한국터널지하공간학회 논문집

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