Mine vehicle identification underdogs

Main image credit: 

Mine safety has always been a top priority, and one company that is gaining attention for making a significant impact in this area is Advanced Fleet Signs (AFS). Known for their innovative Rock Board^® LED Fleet Identification products, AFS is redefining vehicle identification for mine fleets. So, what makes LED fleet identification revolutionary? Why is it essential for mine vehicles? It all comes down to night operations, harsh weather, low lighting conditions, visibility, and durability. 

Since 2013, Damien Russell, a former mine diesel fueler, has been perfecting fleet identification solutions to meet the safety demands of the mining industry. After years of innovation and fine-tuning, Rock Board^® is finally receiving the recognition it deserves. Based in Canning Vale, Perth, Australia, AFS is a small but impactful manufacturing company now poised for global reach.

There are currently four widely recognized methods for displaying vehicle ID numbers in the mining industry: 

1. Vinyl or Reflective Stickers – These are the most used but suffer from visibility issues in low-light conditions. 
2. Paint on Vehicle Frames – A traditional method that lacks flexibility and visibility in dark environments. 
3. LED Digital Displays – These offer electronic vehicle ID displays but rely entirely on power and are rendered useless when vehicles are powered off. 
4. Metal Cut-Outs – Durable but difficult to see in poor lighting or bad weather.

The 5^th method is Rock Board^® products. Rock Board^® combines the best of LED and reflective technologies, offering a highly visible and backlit display ID, housed within a protective casing that bolts onto vehicles. This blend of features makes Rock Board^® the ideal choice for fleet identification in the mining industry.

Here’s a look at how Rock Board^® stacks up against other methods:

One of the standout features of Rock Board^® is that it remains readable even when LED bulbs are damaged. This advantage, combined with its durability and visibility, makes it the safest and most reliable option for harsh mining environments.

AFS offers two key types of Rock Board^® products: custom and modular displays. Custom ID characters have been the standard for years, but AFS’s innovation is the modular number boards. With modular systems, fleet managers can set and change the vehicle ID as needed, reducing the risk of errors, call-backs, and downtime. Fleet managers are able to hold stock of Rock Board^® products making them readily available.

AFS provides a comprehensive range of Rock Board^® products, available in various sizes and shapes to suit all fleet needs. Options include double-sided displays, landscape/portrait formats, and even 360-degree triangle displays that ensure full visibility from any angle.

AFS's Rock Board^® products have gone global, with a presence in key mining regions including Australia, USA, South Africa, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Canada, and several countries across Africa and South America. With a growing network of distributors, AFS products are now easily accessible worldwide, supporting mine safety on a global scale. You can find a full list of distributors on their website: AFS Distributors.

At the core of AFS's vision is the belief that clear vehicle identification can drastically improve safety on mine sites. Whether it’s preventing accidents, enabling two-way communication between vehicles, or improving the efficiency of operations, AFS is committed to setting new standards for safety and visibility in the mining industry.

As mining operations continue to expand and evolve, AFS’s Rock Board^® LED identification systems are helping mines worldwide adopt safer practices. By improving visibility, especially in challenging conditions like low light, heavy rain, or fog, Rock Board^® ensures fleet safety is maintained 24/7.

Mine vehicle identification has been around for decades. The same methods have been put to practice but the market is changing with the new innovative Rock Board^® underdog method. If your mine or fleet is looking to improve safety, efficiency, and compliance, check out AFS and their world-class LED vehicle identification solutions. 

Find your local distributor and join the many mining companies already benefiting from AFS's products today. Explore more here.