Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Analysing Spatio-Temporal Worker Movement Patterns: Implications for Safety and Productivity in Smart Factories

Vasantha, Gokula; Patel, Hariketan; Hanson, Jack; Corney, Jonathan; El-Raoui, Hanane; Sales, Rachel; Quigley, John; Kasarapu, Satya Saravan; Sherlock, Andrew

Authors

Hariketan Patel

Jack Hanson

Jonathan Corney

Hanane El-Raoui

Rachel Sales

John Quigley

Satya Saravan Kasarapu

Andrew Sherlock



Abstract

Understanding the spatio-temporal dynamics of worker movements within complex factory environments, such as shipbuilding facilities, is crucial for proactively assessing safety and enhancing operations through potential process adjustments and factory layout optimizations. While existing literature offers methods to study worker movements, the detailed elicitation of movement patterns remains limited. This research proposes an analytical framework for studying spatio-temporal worker movements using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) tracking data. The framework classifies worker movements into two categories: dwell and transit, serving as the foundation for uncovering movement patterns. The study reports the movement patterns derived from data collected on six workers performing an assembly task and offers actionable recommendations to improve workplace safety and productivity.

Citation

Vasantha, G., Patel, H., Hanson, J., Corney, J., El-Raoui, H., Sales, R., Quigley, J., Kasarapu, S. S., & Sherlock, A. (2025, June). Analysing Spatio-Temporal Worker Movement Patterns: Implications for Safety and Productivity in Smart Factories. Presented at 11th IFAC Conference on Manufacturing Modelling, Management and Control – IFAC MIM2025, Norway

Presentation Conference Type Conference Paper (published)
Conference Name 11th IFAC Conference on Manufacturing Modelling, Management and Control – IFAC MIM2025
Start Date Jun 30, 2025
End Date Jul 3, 2025
Acceptance Date Feb 10, 2025
Deposit Date Mar 16, 2025
Journal IFAC-PapersOnLine
Print ISSN 2405-8971
Electronic ISSN 2405-8963
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Series Number 2405-8971
Keywords Worker safety, Facility planning and materials handling, Industry 4.0, Risk Management
Public URL http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/4176891
Publisher URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/ifac-papersonline
External URL https://conferences.ifac-control.org/mim2025/proceedings/