Exhibitor News

As construction projects become larger and more complex, heavy machinery and ground workers are increasingly required to operate in close quarters. For Plant managers, maintaining visibility around large earthmoving equipment while keeping foot traffic safe is an ongoing challenge.

In the Netherlands, construction remains one of the highest-risk sectors for occupational fatalities. In 2024, the Dutch Labour Inspectorate recorded 58 worker fatalities in construction, highlighting the risks that can arise when heavy machinery and ground workers operate in close proximity.

For companies operating large and diverse fleets, traditional factory-fitted camera systems do not always provide the level of visibility required. As worksites become increasingly busy and the interaction between machinery and workers becomes more complex, intelligent technology is playing an increasingly important role in helping operators identify potential hazards.

Meeting the Challenge

Boskalis is a leading global dredging and offshore contractor and maritime services provider. Boskalis Nederland specialises in large-scale hydraulic engineering, dredging, coastal protection, land reclamation and dry civil infrastructure projects.

Across the Netherlands, the company operates approximately 90 machines, ranging from 20-tonne to 140-tonne excavators, as well as bulldozers, articulated dump trucks (ADTs) and wheel loaders.

With projects continuing to grow in scale and complexity, often within densely occupied worksites, maintaining clear visibility around equipment is essential. Ground workers can be operating alongside large machines, creating a heightened risk of incidents.

With worker safety a key priority across its fleet, Boskalis Nederland assessed a range of solutions before choosing Parksafe Group’s Zone AI Human Form Recognition (HFR) camera system.

Choosing Zone AI

Zone AI uses AI-powered Human Form Recognition to identify moving and stationary people in real time and provides immediate visual and audible warnings to machine operators.

Boskalis Nederland selected Zone AI based on the flexibility of the system, its scalable camera configurations and the intelligence of the platform behind it. Anton van Dongen, Head of Technical Services – Earthmoving Machinery at Boskalis Nederland, said: “We looked at various suppliers. We selected Zone AI for the flexibility of the system and the platform behind it – to learn from it.”

The solution can be customised to suit different types and sizes of machinery, from single, dual and triple-camera systems through to full 360° Bird’s Eye View configurations. This flexibility allowed Boskalis Nederland to implement the technology across a diverse fleet while maintaining a consistent approach to workforce safety.

Depending on the machine and application, the Zone AI HFR system can incorporate AI-powered cameras, LED pedestrian displays, audible alarms and optional monitor displays. Additional options also include a digital ‘thumbs up’ LED for safe approach authorisation and DVR recording for event capture and reporting powered by Parksafe Group's On Demand.

When a person enters the designated detection zone, the system provides an immediate visual and audible alert to the operator, helping to improve awareness of workers around the machine and reduce the risk of collision.

Rolling Out Across the Fleet

Following the supplier evaluation, Boskalis Nederland moved ahead with the installation of Zone AI HFR systems across its earthmoving fleet. More than 80 machines were protected with Zone AI’s HFR technology, with installation carried out by Business4Cars, the authorised Netherlands-based fitment partner.

The rollout was completed within a four-month window and included a range of camera configurations to suit the different machines and operating environments.

The result is enhanced visibility around machinery, with up to 360° coverage available where required, alongside clear visual and audible alerts to help operators remain aware of people working nearby.

The flexibility of the system also means Zone AI can be applied across the wider off-highway sector, including excavators, ADTs, wheel loaders and other heavy plant and HGV applications.

A Scalable Approach to Machine Safety

For Boskalis Nederland, the introduction of AI-powered pedestrian detection provides an additional layer of protection across a large and varied fleet. By combining intelligent Human Form Recognition with real-time visual and audible alerts, the system helps operators identify potential hazards that may otherwise be difficult to see from the cab.

Anton van Dongen, Head of Technical Services – Earthmoving Machinery at Boskalis Nederland quoted: “If someone asks me who to contact for an AI camera system, I would definitely advise them to contact Zone AI.”

As construction environments become increasingly complex, technologies such as AI-powered Human Form Recognition are providing fleet operators with new ways to improve visibility, strengthen situational awareness and support safer interactions between heavy machinery and ground workers.