A cooperative high-accuracy localization algorithm for improved road workers' safety.

This paper describes a high-accuracy localization algorithm that improves the safety of roadway workers. The proposed system consists of a wireless sensor network (WSN) of smart cones that includes a centralized master node and several sensor nodes. The master cone maps the topology of all sensor cones placed along the periphery of a work zone, with the goal of providing decimeter location accuracy. The low-mobility smart cone network can detect vehicles that intrude on a work zone, alert construction workers of impending danger, and notify high-mobility vehicles approaching the work zone. The master cone creates a work zone topology by estimating angles and distances relative to the sensor cones using radio interferometric measurements (RIM) and received signal strength indication (RSSI) measurements. Computer simulations characterize the performance that can be achieved for realistic environment conditions.