24 July 2010: SEQ: Bridge strikes continue amidst the chaos ...

[ozbob]

Media Release 24 July 2010

SEQ:  Bridge strikes continue amidst the chaos on south-east Queensland roads

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has again called for urgent action to bring bridge strikes under control (1). The implementation of a policy that works to eliminate rail and road bridge strikes by heavy road vehicles should be well within the bureaucratic capability of Queensland Transport.

"Yesterday, yet another heavy vehicle struck a rail bridge on the Ipswich railway line.  Clearly, the present system of drivers theoretically knowing the travelling height and width of their vehicle before they start a journey is not working.  Warning signs are ignored."

"There is increasing frustration at the local government level and within the public transport community generally at the failure to roll out solutions to fix this problem."

"Warning devices such as tell tails, and protective crossbeams on busy thoroughfares on the approaches to over bridges should be mandatory, and with today's electronic and satellite navigation systems further back up warning alerts are possible. Full cost recovery for the chaos caused by bridge strikes and licence sanctions are also necessary."

"It is farcical that these bridge strikes are allowed to occur month after month with seemingly little action to address the fundamental issues.  A Government is elected to act.  It is time that action was taken."

"The serious risk of bridge strikes is that eventually a major incident may occur with possible loss of life."

"The disruption to the transport network that follows these bridge strikes is costly for the community.  We call on Queensland Transport to snap into gear and address the problem of bridge strikes with some urgency. We call on the Minister for Transport to direct that Queensland Transport snaps into gear!"

Reference:

1.  29 May 2009 Queensland:  Bridge strikes, level crossing incidents continue unabated - action demanded today
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2327.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2327.0

[ozbob]

Twitter

612brisbane
 
QR: A truck has hit a bridge at Allan Terrace between Corinda and Oxley and all trains between Darra and Sherwood have been stopped
2 minutes ago via TweetDeck

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

Enough!  Time for the Government to act!!

[ozbob]

Just heard on an ABC National News bulletin that NSW has increased penalties for bridge strikes, 12 times the present fine and 6 demerit points.

[ozbob]

From the Sun Herald 1st August 2010 page 21

Penalties for truckies




TOUGH NEW PENALTIES FOR OVERHEIGHT VEHICLES IN ROAD TUNNELS

--> http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/newsevents/downloads/minister_releases/100622overheight_vehicles.pdf

[#Metro]

Why don't they install cross beams? Is it so hard?

[ozbob]

Follow up to all outlets:

2nd August 2010

Greetings,

NSW has beefed up penalties for bridge and tunnel strikes.

The problem is not going away is it?  --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4141.msg30960#msg30960

How long before some fool has a tunnel strike in Brisbane?  Bridge strikes are a regular event and the associated disruption and chaos.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

Media Release 24 July 2010
 
SEQ:  Bridge strikes continue amidst the chaos on south-east Queensland roads

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has again called for urgent action to bring bridge strikes under control (1). The implementation of a policy that works to eliminate rail and road bridge strikes by heavy road vehicles should be well within the bureaucratic capability of Queensland Transport.

"Yesterday, yet another heavy vehicle struck a rail bridge on the Ipswich railway line.  Clearly, the present system of drivers theoretically knowing the travelling height and width of their vehicle before they start a journey is not working.  Warning signs are ignored."

"There is increasing frustration at the local government level and within the public transport community generally at the failure to roll out solutions to fix this problem."

"Warning devices such as tell tails, and protective crossbeams on busy thoroughfares on the approaches to over bridges should be mandatory, and with today's electronic and satellite navigation systems further back up warning alerts are possible. Full cost recovery for the chaos caused by bridge strikes and licence sanctions are also necessary."

"It is farcical that these bridge strikes are allowed to occur month after month with seemingly little action to address the fundamental issues.  A Government is elected to act.  It is time that action was taken."

"The serious risk of bridge strikes is that eventually a major incident may occur with possible loss of life."

"The disruption to the transport network that follows these bridge strikes is costly for the community.  We call on Queensland Transport to snap into gear and address the problem of bridge strikes with some urgency. We call on the Minister for Transport to direct that Queensland Transport snaps into gear!"

Reference:

1.  29 May 2009 Queensland:  Bridge strikes, level crossing incidents continue unabated - action demanded today
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2327.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Bridge strikes are not just a local problem ..

[ozbob]

From the Truckers Report click here!

New York GPS Proposal – Safety or Revenue?

New York GPS Proposal – Safety or Revenue?

Citing more than 1,400 bridge overpass strikes over the past 15 years, the governor of New York has proposed mandating the use of enhanced commercial GPS systems by truckers. According to an article by Fleet Owner  managing editor Brian Straight, Gov. David A. Paterson (D) is pushing the legislation, along with Westchester County executive Andrew J. Spano, in an effort to reduce the number of costly and dangerous bridge strikes.

New York State DOT reports that 81% of such strikes are due to truckers using non-commercial or outdated GPS systems, which don't clearly alert drivers to low-clearance bridges and prohibited routes.

Along with requiring commercial-specific GPS units, the proposal would allow greater penalties for illegal use of restricted parkways. Officers issuing tickets on these grounds would be able to seize trucks, and trucking companies and their insurance providers could be held financially responsible for clean-up costs from overpass strikes ...

[#Metro]

Bridge strikes are not just a local problem ..

I can see this one happening at Buranda where the Cleveland line crosses Logan Road in front of Buranda Station.

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Gawd ... it is A PANDEMIC!!

[#Metro]

I love the way they say "the rail bridge got in the way".
Its like the person who was driving along the road, "and then suddenly, out of no-where a tree jumped out in front of me and hit me".

[ozbob]

There is a sound fail safe solution to the problem.  Protective cross beams.  They hit the beam before they get to the bridge.

No brainer really, and has been done in Brisbane.  Notably to protect the Kurilpa Bridge.   It really is time Queensland Transport got cracking.

Ramp up the fines and ensure cost recovery for the chaos.

On a side issue, I noted that Mayor of Ipswich on the news pleading with motorists not to follow their GPS on the constantly changing Ipswich highway (you might drive off the highway and drop over the edge ... )

We have created a nation of incompetent lunatics ...  

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times click here!

GPS driving alert


http://media.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2010/08/12/IQT_13-08-2010_NEWS_05_gps11_fct414x255x12_t325.jpg

GPS driving alert

Zane Jackson | 13th August 2010  

IF YOU have ever been told by the lady in the little box on your dashboard to turn left when no left turn actually exists, this warning is for you.

With construction of the Ipswich Motorway upgrade in full swing, Main Roads has warned motorists to ignore their GPS systems.

With many old exits closing and new exits opening on the motorway, GPS units with older maps are not keeping up with the changes.

Speaking to The Queensland Times on the upcoming changes on the motorway, a Main Roads spokesman said drivers would be better off ignoring their GPS systems.

"During these changes motorists will need to pay closer attention to the signs than to their GPS," they said.

Traffic on the motorway heading Ipswich bound was recently temporarily realigned between Redbank Plaza and the bridge over Six Mile Creek.

This new realignment will be in place for about 10 months and will enable the Origin Alliance project team to construct the new westbound lanes of the motorway.

A new exit from Redbank Plaza, near KFC, is open and is the permanent exit on to Woodford Way, which leads on to the motorway.

During the next few weeks motorists can expect more temporary and permanent traffic changes.

Weather permitting, a temporary traffic switch will occur on the motorway at Riverview in late August.

Brisbane-bound traffic will be realigned temporarily from east of the Tessman Street overpass to just after the bridge at Six Mile Creek.

This realignment will enable the project team to construct new eastbound motorway lanes and will be in place for about 10 months.

[ozbob]

Twitter 612brisbane
 
Transport Dpt will today start work on a project aimed at reducing bridge strikes by trucks - how will they do it? 7.35am @AOK69 reports.

5 minutes ago via TweetDeck

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
16/08/2010

Height gauges to stop bridge strikes

Work to reduce the number of vehicle strikes and improve safety at low level rail bridges begins across Brisbane today.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said the $1 million Low Level Bridge Protection program would see the installation of height gauges at six of the most frequently hit low level rail bridges.

"A careless truck or bus driver hitting a bridge can cause inconvenience to thousands of commuters if it happens at peak time," Ms Nolan said.

"When a bridge is hit, it must be structurally assessed before trains can run over it again. If it happens during a busy period, a whole line can be shut and that means major delays for commuters.

"In the past eight years, rail bridges have been struck by over-height vehicles 332 times on the South East Queensland network.

"But these delays have been happening for as long as I can remember so building gantries at key locations will now minimise disruptions."

Ms Nolan said height gauges would be installed at the following six locations by early October:

· Pine Street, Wynnum (Cleveland line)

· Park Road, Woolloongabba (Gold Coast/Ipswich lines)

· Sherwood Road, Rocklea (interstate rail line)

· Long Street East, Graceville (Ipswich line)

· Sylvan Road, Toowong (Ipswich line)

· Pickering Street, Gaythorne (Ferny Grove line).

"Height gauges will be built over the roads leading to the bridges and will chime loudly when an over-height vehicle hits them, warning the driver of the low level bridge ahead," Ms Nolan said.

"The six bridges targeted by this project have been struck repeatedly in the past, with each one causing disruption to the rail network. This program will significantly improve protection measures for those bridges.

Ns Nolan said that while the gantries could improve the integrity of the rail network, the first responsibility for safety would always lie with drivers.

"Every bridge has a clearance height sign and drivers have an obligation to know how high their truck or bus is," she said.

"Drivers who fail to do that and hit a bridge can face a court-imposed fine of up to $4,000."

In addition to the Low Level Bridge Protection program, the State Government is rolling out a new bridge strike prevention system for trial at two sites on the Ipswich line - Allwood Street, Indooroopilly and Oxley Road, Corinda.

The Bridge Impact Detection System will use a combination of infrared laser detectors, CCTV and active signage to warn drivers about low rail bridges.

Trials of this system will begin later in the year.

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

[ozbob]

Better late than never, we welcome these initiatives

[ozbob]

Media Release 16 August 2010

SEQ:  Initiatives to help minimise bridge strikes welcome

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has conducted a long campaign highlighting the problem of bridge strikes (1).  A statement by the Minister for Transport has now outlined some initiatives to minimise the problem (2).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The Minister for Transport has today outlined some new measures to help address the problem of heavy vehicles hitting bridges.  We welcome these measures."

"Bridge strikes can be avoided.  They are a major disruption to transport and could lead to fatalities or injury."

"Further increases in fines and licence sanctions and measures to recover costs for the chaos caused by bridge strikes should also be implemented to ensure drivers get the message."


References:

1.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4141.0

2.  http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=71085

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Twitter 612brisbane
 
This truck can fit under this rail bridge but he'd have been warned if not. But not all bridges are protected as... --> http://twitpic.com/2f4esq

11 minutes ago  via TwitPic Uploader for iPhone 

[ozbob]

612 ABC Brisbane click --> here!

Lasers to prevent bridge strikes

Lasers to prevent bridge strikes

16 August 2010 , 8:14 AM by Spencer Howson

Have you ever been stuck in traffic or not been able to catch a train because of a bridge strike?

In the past eight years, rail bridges have been struck by over-height vehicles 332 times.

Six months ago (17th February) Transport Minister Rachel Nolan promised to reduce bridge strikes by trucks and today she has some good news - she's with 612 ABC Brisbane Breakfast reporter Anne O'Keeffe

[#Metro]

"In the past eight years, rail bridges have been struck by over-height vehicles 332 times on the South East Queensland network.

That is almost one per week!

[somebody]

What do they do in other jurisdictions?  Never heard of this laser technique.  I'd expect just bars or something that the truck will hit before it strikes the bridge?

[Golliwog]

The laser technique is a new one, not sure where else its been used, but I remember reading that article about a road tunnel in ...Melbourne (?) where the truck was to tall and scraped the roof a bunch. The article about that was saying the tunnel operators had seen him coming and tried to tell him to get off hte freeway before he went in using the electronic boards. I would assume they would have something similar to check the heights.

[longboi]

I think they're using the laser system on the Clem7. On the approaches there are signs which say 'OVERHEIGHT VEHICLE - DO NOT ENTER WHEN LIGHTS ARE FLASHING' or something to that affect.

[#Metro]

I think the laser one is more expensive and LESS effective!
A great big metal bar is what they must hit so they know.

Nobody reads signs on roads anymore!

[ozbob]

From The Satellite 1st September 2010 page 5

Action to prevent train derailments

[ozbob]

Twitter

TransLinkSEQ
 
Services suspended on Ipswich line between Ebbw vale and Ipswich, due to a traffic accident at Bundamba rail bridge.
about 2 hours ago via mobile web



Footnote:  Services now resumed ..

[ozbob]

 

From the Queensland Times click here!


http://media.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2010/09/09/IQT_10-09-2010_NEWS_07_stuck10b_fct465x286x19x26_t325.jpg

TIGHT SQUEEZE: A truck became stuck under the bridge on Byrne Street in Bundamba just after 8am yesterday.
Rob Williams

Truck gets stuck under bridge

Truck gets stuck under bridge

Andrew Korner | 10th September 2010

A RAILWAY underpass at Bundamba snagged an unsuspecting truck driver during peak-hour traffic yesterday morning.

TIGHT SQUEEZE: A truck became stuck under the bridge on Byrne Street in Bundamba just after 8am yesterday.
Rob Williams

A RAILWAY underpass at Bundamba snagged an unsuspecting truck driver during peak-hour traffic yesterday morning.

A medium-sized Tatra truck, which had large steel rods and a crane on the back, scraped the underside of the bridge as it drove along Byrne Street about 8.30am.

The truck sustained some minor damage as it came to a screeching halt, blocking one lane of the road linking Brisbane Road to the Bremer TAFE College.

The mishap also caused delays for rail commuters, with trains stopped for a short time on the Ipswich line while the Tatra was squeezed out from under the bridge and towed away.

A Queensland Rail spokesperson said two trains were delayed for 18 minutes.

Police said one lane of Byrne Street was blocked until about 9am.

Yesterday's accident was one of hundreds where a truck has become stuck under a railway underpass.

The frequency of these incidents has prompted the State Government to build $1 million worth of bridge-height gauges.

The height gauges will be installed at Wynnum, Woolloongabba, Rocklea, Graceville, Toowong and Gaythorne. They are designed to chime loudly when an over-height vehicle hits them and warn the driver not to go any further.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said a bridge had to be structurally assessed every time it was hit, causing headaches for thousands of commuters.

The State Government will also trial a new bridge-strike prevention system at Indooroopilly and Corinda later this year.

The system will use a combination of infrared laser detectors, CCTV and active signage to warn drivers.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR !!

[tronixstuff]

Initally amusing, yet terrible. Time for fines that account for the full cost recovery of damage, bridge inspection and include an arbitrary amount for inconvenience to the public. Ditto for boom gate strikes, etc.

[somebody]

Or we could just have bars or some such which the trucks would hit first.  Doesn't seem like rocket science.

[ozbob]

Some basic protection for a low level  rail bridge just UP from Centenary Highway at Darra West





Photographs R Dow 12th September 2010

Location --> http://www.nearmap.com/?ll=-27.570578,152.940792&z=19&t=k&nmd=20100821

[somebody]

Interesting.  Looks like an overheight truck would plough right through, but could still be better than any high tech solution.

[ozbob]

Bridge strike with a road overbridge from the road ...

Courier Mail --> Cherry picker falls off truck after hitting overpass at Kangaroo Point and causes traffic chaos

[ozbob]

Toowong

--> http://twitpic.com/2otz96

--> http://twitpic.com/2ou0w7

[Mozz]

Yesterday afternoon, yes yesterday around 4.10pm (while using my active transport model) I saw a truck come screaming to a halt just before the other side of this bridge.

The driver then spent blocking all traffic for 10 minutes while he negotiated the bridge with a few centimetres to spare 

[ozbob]

Just heard two more bridge strikes:

1.  Wacol rail overbridge

2.  Gateway - sounds like a road bridge.


H O P E L E S S !!!

[Jonno]

Bridge strike with a road overbridge from the road ...

Courier Mail --> Cherry picker falls off truck after hitting overpass at Kangaroo Point and causes traffic chaos

Noticed that the cars were not stopped using the overpass like they would for trains.  Sure trains are heavier but who knows what structural damage was sustained.  Maybe a Zero Harm campaign for driving... Now that's funny !!!

[Golliwog]

I thought closing the bridges after a strike was usually more about checking the rails to see that they havn't shifted so that derailment doesn't occur? Also the cherry picker fell over and wasn't wedged so there was no need to keep it unloaded to help get it out easier.