Bridge protection - Dutton Park Annerley Road rail over road bridges

[ozbob]

QPS http://mypolice.qld.gov.au/duttonpark/2013/08/17/fatal-traffic-crash-dutton-park/

Fatal traffic crash, Dutton Park

August 17, 2013 at 3:25 pm

A cyclist has died following a serious traffic crash at Dutton Park this morning.

Around 7.30am a truck travelling along Annerley Road collided with a rail bridge overpass before rolling and striking a cyclist.

The cyclist, a 40-year-old man from Greenslopes, died at the scene.

The truck driver received minor injuries.

===============

Couriermail --> Brisbane cyclist Les Karayan killed in freak accident

A memorial for Les, 'ghost' bicyle at the site of the accident.



Photograph R Dow 6th September 2014

R.I.P.

There is no doubt that Les' tragic death was a catalyst for the bridge protection now in place on these bridges.

[ozbob]

The beams are strong steel plate.  They will certainly stop oversize vehicles/loads impacting on the rail bridges. Still will be beam strikes though, with great traffic disruption degree of which will depend on the time of course.

A possible weak spot is the coming down Park Road (second photograph) there are only tell-tails.



































Photographs R Dow 6th September 2014

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/12/3/annerley-rd-rail-bridge-down-for-upgrade

Media Statements
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Tuesday, December 03, 2013

Annerley Rd rail bridge down for upgrade

The Newman Government will construct protection beams on one of inner Brisbane's most notorious rail bridge.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the bridge at Annerley Road, Dutton Park would be the first to be upgraded as part of a $3.6 million program to prevent over-height vehicles colliding with rail bridges.

"Protection beams will be installed on both approaches to the bridge, which has been struck eight times since July 2010, including a tragic death of a cyclist earlier this year," Mr Emerson said.

"While we can't stop careless drivers crashing into rail bridges, I want to do more to protect our infrastructure and reduce the impact on passenger services and other road users.

"While the Annerley Rd bridge is already fitted with height gauges and signage, protection beams, installed square to the road, would also reduce the likelihood of a vehicle rolling over should it strike the beam."

Queensland Rail is preparing to call for tenders to design and construct the added protection with work due to begin next year.

"There are currently a range of measures in place to reduce the likelihood and impact of bridge strikes, including Bridge Impact Detection Systems – laser detectors with flashing signage and video recording – at two Brisbane locations," Mr Emerson said.

"While we are doing everything we can to improve safety at rail bridges the responsibility still lies with the driver to know the height of their vehicle."

There were 60 reported bridge strikes across the Queensland Rail network in the last financial year and since the start of 2012, the government has successfully settled six claims totalling more than $200,000 with motorists who have damaged rail bridges.

Motorists who damage Queensland Rail infrastructure, including bridges, also face penalties of up to $8,800.

[ENDS] 3 December 2013

[newbris]

Good that something has been done. Still think of Les sometimes and his lovely family. Was such a terrible thing to happen on an ordinary day.

[darthcaligula666]

every time im on a train heading over that bridge into or out of park road i think about this cyclist. i really hope his memorial is allowed to remain there out of respect. i will feature it in my park road blog when i ultimately get it completed. i had thought that the new beams were as a result of this tragedy. lets hope that something like this never happens again. the poor man, had he only been a fraction of a minute earlier or later unde the bridge, he would still be here. it is incredibly sad.

[ozbob]

7 News -->  Truck driver jailed for tragic mistake

A grandfather's fatal mistake not to measure the height of his truck has landed him behind bars for eight months. Michelle Rattray reports.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

28th February 2015

Bridge strikes and level crossing breeches

Greetings,

A sad outcome  7 News -->  Truck driver jailed for tragic mistake

A grandfather's fatal mistake not to measure the height of his truck has landed him behind bars for eight months.

It is to the credit of the former Minister for Transport Mr Emerson  that he did move to ensure protective beams were placed on the approaches to this rail over road bridge Annerley Road Dutton Park.

Photographs --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10943.msg146063#msg146063

Bridge strikes are still happening regularly on our transport network.  Continuing placement of protective beams and upgraded warning systems are needed.

It is also time in our opinion that a zero tolerance approach is taken to not only bridge strikes but fools driving into boom gates and disregarding basic road rules.

First offence for a bridge strike or level crossing breach should be an automatic 12 month suspension, plus full financial costs for the mayhem caused.  Second offence life suspension plus full costs.

These are very serious offences with potentially grave outcomes. Time the gloves came off.

Thank you.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[petey3801]

So this bloke crashes in to the bridge and unfortunately ends up killing a cyclist, but another bloke runs through an activated level crossing, smashing in to the Cairns Tilt Train, killing both drivers, and is acquitted of all charges. Let alone all the other examples in Victoria (ie: Kerang, Lismore etc). Our legal system is f@@ked.

PS: Not saying this bloke doesn't deserve the sentence he got, which he does, as his actions led to the death of said cyclist, but when this sentence is handed down just days after the bloke up north was acquitted of killing two train drivers because of his actions, it does tend to rub those in the industry up the wrong way. Kill train drivers or rail pax? No worries, you'll be right! But kill a cyclist? Ohhhh, you're going down for that one!

[ozbob]

^ a legal system that is a farce at times I agree.

[ozbob]

I travel on the Ippy Hwy a bit.  I observe many trucks speeding and tailgating.  Some weave in the traffic like they were a sports car.  Many of the truck drivers do not really care a sh%t about other road users.  It is what I observe.  The law needs to get serious on these cowboys.

On the radio the other early morning, I was listening to Australia all over and there was a report in NSW that the police had reported a 1 in 12 positive drug detection rate on targeted heavy vehicle drivers there.  It. is. appalling.

[ozbob]

With respect to Cardwell, there appears to have been sufficient doubt in the jury's mind to acquit.  Nothing can be done about that now, but one wonders about the prosecution's case.

As I understand it does not stop civil action by parties connected to the deceased QR drivers from taking further legal actions.  I hope they do.

[error]

You will likely find a lot of those 'drug' convictions aren't necessarily recreational drugs and cases are a range of over the counter drugs ranging up to prohibited substances, most likely to keep the truckies awake and alert. Definitely not safe, but thought it should be noted.

[newbris]

So this bloke crashes in to the bridge and unfortunately ends up killing a cyclist, but another bloke runs through an activated level crossing, smashing in to the Cairns Tilt Train, killing both drivers, and is acquitted of all charges. Let alone all the other examples in Victoria (ie: Kerang, Lismore etc). Our legal system is f@@ked.

PS: Not saying this bloke doesn't deserve the sentence he got, which he does, as his actions led to the death of said cyclist, but when this sentence is handed down just days after the bloke up north was acquitted of killing two train drivers because of his actions, it does tend to rub those in the industry up the wrong way. Kill train drivers or rail pax? No worries, you'll be right! But kill a cyclist? Ohhhh, you're going down for that one!

And given the leniency shown to those who kill cyclists that is saying something... http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/cement-truck-driver-luke-stevens-found-not-guilty-over-death-of-cyclist-richard-pollett/story-e6freoof-1226635894242

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Transit_Hub/status/988310773968470016

https://twitter.com/Transit_Hub/status/988311603933204481

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/988312538679885824

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/988313658190020608

[Cazza]

I have rode down Annerley Rd a few times in the past couple of weeks and keep getting caught out on the same sign here: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-27.4964875,153.0277665,3a,75y,352.54h,87.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7pIIt7ephxuCvXQNvDQO_A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

From first glance, my eyes are drawn to the "440m' part (the distance to the bridge) as it stands out compared to the actual clearance of the bridge (3.7m). It is then easy for the brain to depict it as 4.40m clearance (especially if quickly glancing at the sign while driving past).

I'm not backing the driver up here (as there are plenty of other signs around) but I am saying that clearer signs on approach to the bridge would be very helpful.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1108546375313031168

[ozbob]

This was the 2nd bridge/beam strike this morning. I had just picked up a family member from the Mater Hospital and was traveling past and my passenger took the photograph.

The other strike was near O'Keefe St Logan Road  Buranda ..