A newly published paper presents a deployable Real-Time Locating System (RTLS) for tracking workers indoors on construction sites using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology. Existing systems often face challenges with cost, wiring, reliance on smartphones, accuracy, and adaptability to the constantly changing layout of construction projects. This study introduces a fully beacon-based system that replaces traditional receivers with low-cost, battery-powered BLE beacons and employs a modular placement strategy, reducing costs and simplifying installation.
The proposed system combines a wireless hardware setup with localisation algorithms based on triangulation and filtering techniques. It addresses issues such as inconsistent signal strength and multipath interference by applying post-processing methods including Kalman filters, exponential smoothing and moving averages. Tests carried out in controlled environments showed localisation errors of around 0.56 metres for moving workers and 0.64 metres for stationary ones, which is an improvement over many previous studies. The research also examined different placements of beacons on the body, with hardhat placement giving the most reliable results.
The system balances accuracy with deployability and cost efficiency. It offers flexibility through adjustable smoothing levels, allowing it to serve both safety-critical real-time monitoring and longer-term productivity analysis.
The paper demonstrates that a beacon-only BLE RTLS can provide a scalable, low-cost, and accurate solution for indoor worker tracking in construction, with applications in safety management, productivity monitoring, and automated workspace identification