Definition
RTLS (Real Time Location System) determines the current position of people, vehicles or equipment across a site. It answers where something is now and, combined with history, how it moved there.
Radio and vision methods
Radio solutions rely on tags carried by people or attached to equipment, plus a network of receivers. They give good accuracy but require everything to be tracked to be equipped.
The vision approach derives position from camera images, without tags. It covers every person in frame by definition, but is limited to areas within the field of view.
What it is used for
Typical uses are evacuation and confirming nobody is left in a zone, locating equipment moved between halls, analysing forklift routes, and controlling access to higher-risk areas.
For lone working, location is often combined with fall detection: knowing someone has collapsed at a specific spot shortens the time for help to arrive.
Frequently asked questions
What accuracy is achievable?
It depends on the method and infrastructure density. Radio solutions can reach tens of centimetres; vision depends on framing and scene geometry.
Is tracking people permitted?
It calls for the same care as video monitoring: a defined purpose, informing the crew, and separating safety from performance control.
Does RTLS replace video monitoring?
No. It answers where, not what is happening. The two systems usually complement each other.