Powerline Detection System

Prevent Overhead Hazards Before They Become Costly Incidents

Overhead obstacles like powerlines, telephone lines, and low-hanging trees present a constant risk in construction, civil works, utilities, road maintenance, waste collection, and heavy equipment operations.

When visibility is limited and crews are focused on multiple tasks, these hazards can easily be missed – leading to serious safety risks, costly damage, fines, and operational downtime.

The Problem

Overhead hazards remain one of the most overlooked risks in vehicle and machinery operations.

Powerlines, telephone cables, tree branches, and other elevated obstacles can be difficult to see, particularly when operators are focused on the task at hand. In busy work environments, even experienced crews can miss a potential hazard until it is too late.

The consequences can be significant:

Damage to vehicles and equipment
Costly repairs and insurance claims
Utility outages and service disruptions
Project delays and operational downtime
Serious injury or fatalities
Compliance and regulatory issues

While visual checks and spotters remain important controls, they rely heavily on human attention and can be compromised in fast-moving work environments.

The Solution

The Rearsense Powerline Detection System is designed to eliminate that risk. This advanced radar-based solution enhances operator awareness by continuously monitoring for overhead hazards and delivering instant alerts when a risk is detected. The system can operate as a standalone solution or integrate seamlessly with existing AHD/CVBS camera and monitor systems, providing real-time visual and audible warnings directly to operators and crews.

Whether you need a simple operator warning system or a fully integrated solution with visual verification, Rearsense offers a configuration to suit your operational requirements.

Kit 1: Operator Awareness Solution

Ideal For: Vehicles where the operator works independently and requires warning of overhead hazards during specific operations.

How It Works: This entry-level solution detects overhead powerlines and other obstacles above the vehicle and provides an audible and visual warning directly to the operator inside the cab.

The system is configured to become active only when the vehicle enters a risk situation, reducing unnecessary alerts and ensuring warnings are provided when they are most needed.

Example Application

A front-end waste collection vehicle lifting bins over the vehicle body.

As the lifting mechanism is activated, the system becomes operational and monitors for overhead hazards. If powerlines or other obstacles are detected, the operator receives an immediate warning before contact can occur.

Benefits

Detects powerlines and overhead obstacles
Visual and audible in-cab alerts
Activated only during high-risk operations
Simple and cost-effective solution
Improves operator awareness and decision-making

Kit 2 – Operator and Ground Crew Protection

Ideal For: Operations involving both vehicle operators and personnel working around the vehicle.

How It Works: Kit 2 provides overhead hazard detection with alerts both inside and outside the vehicle. When the system identifies a potential overhead hazard, it warns the operator in the cab while simultaneously activating external alarms to alert nearby ground personnel. This creates a shared awareness of the risk and encourages communication between operators and crew members before work continues.

Example Application

A chip-spreading truck operating in a suburban street.

While reversing with the tray raised and spreading chip, the system detects an overhead powerline crossing the work area. An alert is triggered in the cab and externally, prompting both the driver and ground crew to assess the situation and confirm clearance before continuing.

Benefits

Detects overhead powerlines and obstacles
Simultaneous warnings for operators and ground crew
Promotes team-based hazard awareness
Reduces reliance on a single person identifying the risk
Ideal for road maintenance and civil construction operations

Kit 3 – Advanced Detection with Visual Verification

Ideal For: High-risk operations where operators require visual confirmation of the detected hazard.

How It Works: Kit 3 combines overhead hazard detection with an integrated camera and monitor system. When a hazard is detected, the operator receives visual and audible warnings inside the cab while external alarms alert personnel around the machine. The camera system highlights the detected obstacle on the monitor, allowing the operator to visually confirm the hazard and better assess the level of risk. The system is configured to operate only during high-risk movements or functions.

Example Application

An excavator operating in a suburban street with overhead utility cables. As the boom is raised, the detection system becomes active. When the excavator approaches an overhead line, the operator receives an alert inside the cab while external warnings notify nearby workers. The monitor displays the detected line, allowing the operator to verify its location and assess the distance before proceeding.

Benefits

Detects powerlines and overhead obstacles
Visual and audible warnings inside the cab
External alarms for surrounding personnel
Camera-assisted visual verification
Improved operator confidence and hazard assessment
Suitable for complex and high-risk operating environments

Advanced Detection. Real-Time Awareness.

The Powerline Detection System is an advanced radar-based solution that enhances operator awareness by detecting overhead obstacles and delivering instant alerts.

It can operate as a standalone system or integrate seamlessly with existing AHD/CVBS camera and monitor setups, providing real-time visual and audible warnings directly to the driver and crew.

Designed for Real Working Conditions

In busy environments where operators rely on mirrors and ground crew manage multiple responsibilities, maintaining full situational awareness is challenging.

The Powerline Detection System solves this by:

Alerting both the driver and ground crew simultaneously
Detecting not only powerlines, but also trees and other overhead obstacles
Encouraging proactive hazard awareness across the entire team

“It’s not just powerlines, it’s picking up trees and anything overhead. It keeps the team alert and looking up.”

Reliable Day and Night

Visibility challenges don’t stop when the sun goes down.

The system continues to perform in low-light and night-time conditions, helping crews stay safe when visibility is at its worst.

“It even works at night, which is when it’s hardest for the crew to see hazards.”

Key Features

Real-time radar detection of overhead obstacles
Visual and audible alerts for immediate response
Optional external alarms for ground crew awareness
Radar sensor diagnostics and error messaging
Compatibility with external warning alarms
Optional camera integration for visual verification
Configurable activation based on operating functions
Suitable for both standalone and integrated installations

Built for Your Industry

Civil construction
Road maintenance
Utilities and infrastructure
Mining operations
Waste collection fleets
Heavy-duty transport and machinery
Excavation and earthmoving operations

Real-World Results That Matter

After experiencing repeated incidents involving overhead lines, one contractor implemented the system throughout their fleet of chip-spreading trucks.

The result?

A Smarter Approach to Safety

Reducing risk isn’t just about compliance – it’s about protecting your people, your equipment, and your productivity.

The Rearsense Powerline Detection System delivers a practical, proven solution that works in real-world conditions, helping operators and crews identify overhead hazards before they become costly incidents.

Get Started

Ready to improve safety and prevent costly overhead incidents?