RTLS, or Real-Time Location Systems, provide live locations for people and/or equipment. As a company with DNA rooted in the world of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), RTLS is one of many technologies we use in our solutions. Specifically, because one of Telaeris’ core capabilities is to ensure people are safely mustered during emergencies, RTLS is among the variety of technologies we deploy to meet customers’ needs.

So why do companies choose RTLS or decide to go another route? It’s a balance between costs, capabilities, limitations, and facility requirements. Let’s get into the specifics!

So, what the heck is RTLS anyway?

RTLS technology uses wireless signals to identify and track the real-time location of objects or people within a designated area. In essence, the system is comprised of three components:

1. Beacons/tags with unique ID numbers connected to an individual person or object.
2. Readers/receivers that listen for signals from the beacons.
3. Software and algorithms that calculate the beacon locations from data received by the readers.

At a high level, the beacon broadcasts its unique ID, which is received by readers in the vicinity. When each reader picks up a signal from the transponder, it sends this data to the software program. The software interprets the beacon information received from each reader and combines the unique ID and the time the signal was recorded to identify the beacon location.

The below graphic displays four readers receiving an active (battery-powered) tags’ beacon signal. If fewer than three signals from a beacon are received, its location can be isolated to a room-sized area based on its RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator). With three or more signals, a beacon can be located more precisely, generally within 3 meters. In theory, with triangulation you only need three reader-beacon distances to precisely locate a tag. However, the signal strength, measured in decibels (dB), is only loosely related to distance, which is why the location is not more precise.

There are a broad range of active RFID technologies that fall under the RTLS umbrella. These include Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Ultra-Wideband (UWB) and Wi-Fi, as well as proprietary systems. Of these, UWB is the most accurate option for calculating indoor positioning. This is due to its ability to measure signal travel time with high precision, however it is also among the most expensive of the technologies.

Benefits to using RTLS

Unlike RFID systems that read tag data only when energized by a reader, RTLS generally provides continuous, instant location information from beacons that send signals every few seconds. Leveraging this capability, businesses have successfully deployed RTLS technology in various settings to improve operations.

For example, a manufacturing case study found that real-time RTLS forklift tracking alleviated challenges with crowded factory floors and inefficient traffic management in an assembly plant for heavy trucks. Supporting this, an article published in the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) makes the case that RTLS “can work as an enabler to improve operational excellence and accelerate lean operations” in biotech manufacturing.

In the healthcare context, a hospital in Germany recently equipped a surgery building with RTLS technology in an effort to better understand how to optimize processes during a mass casualty incident. The findings of this deployment concluded that RTLS geo-localization enabled hospital administrators to “identify bottlenecks and unclear processes.” Similarly, a Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) systemic review found RTLS to be a “useful and effective adjunct methodology in process and quality improvement, workflow analysis, and patient safety.”

With almost 20 years of expertise in emergency mustering, Telaeris is dedicated to finding the best occupancy tracking solutions to meet client-specific needs. While it goes without saying, RTLS “fits the bill” in many ways and under many circumstances. Ten years ago we deployed our first RTLS mustering system that provided occupancy tracking for a customer with specific safety requirements. More recently, we launched a BLE-based RTLS mustering solution based on technology provided by HID Global. This deployment has enabled electric power operator California ISO to go beyond just an emergency notification system. Instead, they have an automated system that precisely tracks the location of both staff and visitors during any emergency event.

RTLS benefits, in summary

Across areas like manufacturing, retail, and healthcare, RTLS has been shown to: 

• Improve Operational Efficiency
• Enhance Personnel Safety & Security 
• Provide Real-Time Information
• Prevent Loss and Theft 
• Enable Safety Regulation Compliance

Potential RTLS drawbacks 

Cost is often a significant barrier to adopting RTLS. From initial hardware and software installation, to ongoing maintenance and operational expenses, to recurring license fees, RTLS system deployment can be expensive. Moreover, additional resources and technical expertise may be required as RTLS integration with legacy systems can be complex and time-consuming.

Companies must balance inherent on-the-job safety risks with the need to track employees in real time. However, nothing seems to raise the ire of the general public more than privacy… specifically in the United States. This is especially true with regard to online workplace surveillance and data privacy. In a 2018 research project that we sponsored we looked at how people weighed legitimate privacy concerns against the potential benefits of being tracked with RFID technology. Notably, the assessment found that if an RFID tracking solution were to improve security and/or safety, it was more acceptable than if deployed for efficiency gains.

This desire for privacy is exemplified by the melodramatic musings of a ‘TikTok Nurse’ regarding her view of how hospitals use RTLS technology to monitor workers. Pinpoint, a Long Island, NY-based alarm company that provides panic button badges for nurses, posted an article discussing how “healthcare workers feel discomfort and mistrust knowing they are being monitored.”

Potential RTLS hurdles, in general

• Initial and recurring costs can be expensive
• Legacy IT Infrastructures may not be compatible with new systems
• User resistance due to privacy concerns and management mistrust
• Scalability issues from pilot to full scale deployment
• Accuracy of RTLS can vary based upon environment

Final Thoughts and Considerations

Real-Time Location System technology offers real advantages, including improved asset management and enhanced safety and security. However, organizations must strike a balance between benefits and concerns, specifically issues surrounding personal privacy. Organizations need to navigate such issues thoughtfully and carefully to comply with regulations and to maintain employee trust.

If your organization could benefit from using RTLS for improving employee accountability during emergencies, please reach out to us. Our XPressEntry system is a fantastic solution for helping to keep your people safe!