Work zone intrusion alert system

A system for alerting personnel proximate a work zone to a work zone intrusion, comprising:

• a detection unit comprising:
• a body that is operable to mount to a work zone boundary marker;
• and
• at least one Doppler sensor that transmits and receives radar signal to detect one or more of a velocity of the moving object, a distance to the moving object, and a presence of the moving object in the work zone using the Doppler effect;
• a base station communicatively coupled with the detection unit and configured to operably electrically charge the detection unit;
• and
• a personnel alerter comprising a portable body, the personnel alerter receiving an alarm signal from one or more of the detection unit and the base station, resulting in the personnel alerter activating an alert;
• wherein the detection unit transmits the alarm signal upon detection of the moving object,
• wherein the detection unit, personnel alerter, and base station are arranged in a mesh network and communicate with each other wirelessly such that the detection unit, base station, and personnel alerter each act as a receiver and as a repeater whereby detection of a moving object in the vicinity of the work zone activates the alert by each of the detection unit, base station, and personnel alerter.

A method for alerting personnel proximate a work zone to a work zone intrusion, comprising:

• arranging a detection unit, personnel alerter, and a base station in a mesh network in wireless communication;
• mounting a detection unit on a work zone boundary marker, the detection unit comprising:
• a body that is operable to mount to a work zone boundary marker;
• and
• at least one Doppler sensor configured to detect one or more of a presence of a moving object in a vicinity of the work zone, a velocity of a moving object in the work zone, and a distance to the moving object using the Doppler effect;
• communicatively coupling a base station with the detection unit, the base station configured to operably electrically charge the detection unit;
• monitoring the work zone with the detection unit for the moving object;
• transmitting, upon detection of the moving object, an alarm signal from the detection unit to at least one of the personnel alerter and the base station;
• activating an alert, by the personnel alerter, upon receiving the alarm signal from one or more of the detection unit and the base station, the personnel alerter comprising a portable body.