Eurovia Surfacing is claiming to be the first contractor in Europe to deploy its Bomag 174 rollers equipped with both Safety Shield AI human detection and Bomag’ emergency brake assist system.
If anyone gets too close, the roller stops moving.
The first machine has been used on a surfacing scheme in Hertfordshire.
“We believe this is the future of plant safety,” said Eurovia development director Paul Kidd. “These intelligent rollers are not only innovative, they’re essential.”
The Safety Shield technology operates via sensors that monitor two distinct safety zones around the machine: a five-metre caution zone and a two-metre critical zone. When movement is detected in these zones, the system triggers alerts both inside the cab and externally. An additional red ‘Safety Shield halo’ light on the ground provides operatives with a visual warning in low light.
Bomag’s emergency brake assist system identifies potential hazards, even in poor visibility conditions. If a person fails to exit the danger zone or an obstacle is detected in the roller's path, it slows down automatically, halting if necessary. The roller will then continue at its original pre-defined speed once the person or object has left the critical area. Only people or obstacles that are in the rollers drum direction will activate the system, to avoid unnecessary stoppages.
“It’s the perfect machine, something we should have on every site,” said site foreman Justin Willis.
Eurovia has now committed to fitting Safety Shield AI technology and Bomag’s emergency brake assist technology to all large rollers across its fleet.
“As an industry, we must lead by example,” Kidd added. “Embracing AI detection and automated emergency braking safety systems isn’t just progressive, it’s the right thing to do.”
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