Bridge Impact Detection System - BIDS

[ozbob]

As previously advised by the former Minister for Transport, it seems progress has been made with the BIDS.

--> http://yfrog.com/h34w6lsdj

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

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]

Mr Paul Scurrah CEO Queensland Rail was just interviewed on 612 ABC Brisbane radio about the successful BIDS project!

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

20 May 2011

Bridge Impact Detection System - BIDS

Greetings,

In a statement* by the former Minister for Transport Ms Nolan on bridge strikes indicated that:

"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."

* http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=71085 16 August 2010

RAIL Back On Track members have noticed the establishment of BIDS systems at Indooroopilly and Corinda.  This morning on radio 612 ABC Brisbane Breakfast with Spencer Howson, Mr Paul Scurrah CEO Queensland Rail outlined some of the details of this system.

To say we are excited about this is an understatement.

This system appears to be a giant leap forward in helping rid our transport system of bridge strikes.  A cause of much disruption for all.

Well done to Queensland Rail, and any other authorities such as BCC and TMR that may have been involved as well.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Radio 612 ABC Brisbane Breakfast with Spencer Howson click here!

New measures to prevent rail bridge strikes

New measures to prevent rail bridge strikes

20 May 2011 , 8:00 AM by Spencer Howson

Bridgecam We've talked quite a lot about trucks and buses hitting railway bridges and what can be done to prevent it.

Danglly metal rods now hang from overhead gantries as a way of forewarning tall vehicles. And now the latest weapon apepars to be clearance cameras.

I saw the signs yesterday at a rail bridge in Indooroopilly (pictured). I've since heard about others at Sherwood and Oxley.

But what are they for? If you're stuck under the bridge, there's plenty of time for authorities to arrive and get your photo.

If you don't get stuck, they don't need your picture, do they??!

Paul Scurrah is the CEO of Queensland Rail:

[longboi]

Does anyone know if these locations actually have the CCTV and active signage? Because the one at Pickering St is only a standard sign with chimes hanging off it.

[Golliwog]

Does anyone know if these locations actually have the CCTV and active signage? Because the one at Pickering St is only a standard sign with chimes hanging off it.

No, just the 2 trial locations on the Ipswich line that Ozbob bolded in the OP. The ones in the list as I understand it are just the standard chimes.

[somebody]

Way to gold plate something which is quite simple really.  At Allwood St it would have been perfectly adequate to have beams/chains similar to Sylvan Rd.

[ozbob]

Oxley Road Corinda, the BIDS set up ..













Photograph R Dow 3rd June 2011

[O_128]

Way to gold plate something which is quite simple really.  At Allwood St it would have been perfectly adequate to have beams/chains similar to Sylvan Rd.

I dont get how this works or what was so had about chains. Though some idiot would probably sue if they scratched there car

[Golliwog]

Way to gold plate something which is quite simple really.  At Allwood St it would have been perfectly adequate to have beams/chains similar to Sylvan Rd.

I dont get how this works or what was so had about chains. Though some idiot would probably sue if they scratched there car

I'd be more likely to ask how they got their car to be high enough to hit the chains.

I'm asusming its similar in its nature of operation to the speed camera thing in the Queen St bus station which is attached to a LED screen to give bus drivers a smiley face if they're under 20km/hr or an unhappy face if they're over. The OP mentions laser detectors so I would guess they would be set up a bit before the bridge and be triggered when an over height vehicle approaches and the LED sign would then display some kind of warning, whilst the CCTV would start recording (or the CCTV would record full time, who knows)

[Gazza]

Theres something similar on the Burney tunnel entrance:
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=burnley+tunnel&aq=&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=58.968226,132.978516&ie=UTF8&hq=burnley+tunnel&hnear=&ll=-37.824793,144.964017&spn=0.00041,0.001015&t=h&z=21&layer=c&cbll=-37.824723,144.96393&panoid=AqkPMXhigKN60EZZzb-zyA&cbp=12,317.3,,0,-16.18
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=burnley+tunnel&aq=&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=58.968226,132.978516&ie=UTF8&hq=burnley+tunnel&hnear=&ll=-37.824573,144.963738&spn=0.00041,0.001015&t=h&z=21&layer=c&cbll=-37.824655,144.963843&panoid=_4PykkOIw87q3LiZe0TBew&cbp=12,174.24,,0,1.96
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=burnley+tunnel&aq=&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=58.968226,132.978516&ie=UTF8&hq=burnley+tunnel&hnear=&ll=-37.825011,144.964294&spn=0.00041,0.001015&t=h&z=21&layer=c&cbll=-37.825011,144.964294&panoid=h-t_Ur4n63-KyvfuG-j-cw&cbp=12,90.31,,0,-2.8


Its not hard to understand how it works...There's a light beam, and if you are too high you interupt it, activating the warning.

I guess the reason is because its on a main road, so whilst it would be funny to be ripping the lids off trucks driving into a steel height beam, its probably better to make them stop so delays aren't caused due to having to clean up.

[somebody]

Ripping the roof off?  What might happen if they strike the bridge?

[Gazza]

What im saying is, as a means of bridge protection, both methods do it, but there's no cleanup associated with BIDS.

[mufreight]

What im saying is, as a means of bridge protection, both methods do it, but there's no cleanup associated with BIDS.

And unforthnately with the BID system unlike with the height beam there is still no physical impediment to some less than competent moron ignoring the warning message and still driving into the bridge.
Takes a lot of effort to get past a fixed height girder bridge protection beam.
So they tear the top out of their over height for the underpass truck and make a mess that blocks the road for a while but better that than they strike the bridge and not only take the top out of their truck or load but also stop the trains as well as the road traffic.

[somebody]

We'll see what they do in practice, I guess.

[#Metro]

Why do we need this?

I don't understand what the benefit of a sophisticated, technology dripping solution with multiple components is vs a solid block of metal bar which requires zero monitoring and zero maintainence.

Is a big piece of metal all that difficult?

Why do things have to be so overcomplicated. How much does this cost vs metal bar/chimes?

[ozbob]

Since these have gone in the test sites AFAIAA it has turned around a number of vehicles and there has been no strikes.   Once the system is triggered the alert sign is activated and it is very effective in stopping the vehicle.  It also records high quality video as well. The other advantage of this system is that it can include an active warning device in the cab.  It may come to pass that all oversize vehicles may need to be set up for activation on an alert system of this sort.  It can be used where it is difficult for passive devices. Passive devices can stop vehicles but usually with a lot of disruption.

[#Metro]

Right. That makes more sense now..

[#Metro]

I have an objection to the depiction of steam trains for signs. Has anyone noticed that it isn't 1980 anymore?
I'd like to see normal electric train please...

[ozbob]

The steam engine loco logo is an agreed international standard for rail.  Some examples here!

[Stillwater]

The steam loco logo forms part of the Australian Design Rules for roadside signs.  Believe it or not, surveys show that motorists understand these signs much better than other (modern) depictions of trains.  I struggle to believe this, but came to the conclusion that we have the steam train image impregnated into our brains since we all (boys at least) played with trains as a child and warmed to the antics of Thomas and his friends.  Ask a 3-y-o to imitate a train and he/she will go:  Whoo Whoo!  Chugga chugga chugga. That's something that stays with us for life!

[#Metro]

I don't believe that. Sorry.


http://www.aiga.org/uploadedImages/AIGA/Content/Tools_and_Resources/25_railtransportation.gif

[ozbob]

http://www.raa.net/download.asp?file=documents/document_1537.pdf

[Stillwater]

What don't you believe TT?  That the steam loco logo forms part of the uniform road signage prepared by Standards Australia (and adopted by all state road authorities) is a fact.  The recognition research I have seen was pretty reputatable when it can to sampling and methodology.  The Thomas the Tank Engine explanation I have reconciled to myself is open to dispute, I admit.

[#Metro]

What don't you believe TT?  That the steam loco logo forms part of the uniform road signage prepared by Standards Australia (and adopted by all state road authorities) is a fact.  The recognition research I have seen was pretty reputatable when it can to sampling and methodology.  The Thomas the Tank Engine explanation I have reconciled to myself is open to dispute, I admit.

I just find the recognition of steam trains as better than symbols like the one above ^^^ (Internationally adopted) thing hard to accept.

[Stillwater]

Then make a submission to the Standards Australia committee that rules on these things, TT.

[Stillwater]

Make a submission, if you wish, TT: http://www.sdpp.standards.org.au/ActiveProjects.aspx?CommitteeNumber=MS-012&CommitteeName=Road Signs And Traffic Signals

[ozbob]

Wacol 7th Jan 2009

[ozbob]

[Gazza]

Right. That makes more sense now..

Which is exactly what I said.

So they tear the top out of their over height for the underpass truck and make a mess that blocks the road for a while but better that than they strike the bridge and not only take the top out of their truch or load but also stop the trains as well as the road traffic.

The idea situation would be to have both BIDS, and the protection beam.

I think BIDS would be a lot more noticeable than things like chains (Which might be unheard if its a big noisy truck, or its an irregular load like a piece of machinery that isn't going to hit the full array)
As Bob said, it has been effective at making people turn around.

But, as a backup/last resort, have the beam to protect the structural integrity of the bridge.

[mufreight]

I don't believe that. Sorry.


http://www.aiga.org/uploadedImages/AIGA/Content/Tools_and_Resources/25_railtransportation.gif

Believe what you will but the steam train image is far more recogniseable therefor more effective as a warning, both Stillwater and Ozbob are right on the money with this one.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert_Dow
Saw the BIDS sign go off at Oxley Road Corinda the other day. Seems to be very effective --> http://bit.ly/iD6IQY @612brisbane
58 seconds ago

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Bridge Impact Detection System found to be preventing bridge strikes by over-height vehicles

Bridge Impact Detection System found to be preventing bridge strikes by over-height vehicles
   
by: Robyn Ironside
From: The Courier-Mail

A TRIAL of new technology designed to prevent bridge strikes by over-height vehicles is to be extended after mixed results.

The Bridge Impact Detection System was launched at Corinda and Indooroopilly last year, to detect and alert vehicles that are too high to fit under low level rail bridges.

The system uses infra-red laser detectors, speed impact detectors, CCTV and active signage to warn drivers about low-level rail bridges.

When an over-height vehicle approaches, a warning is displayed to the driver via a message board giving them time to turn around.

But Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said some vehicles were still taking foolish risks as these videos show, despite the technology.

"The Indooroopilly site in Allwood Street had two bridge strikes over the past year compared with an average of five bridge strikes a year prior to the start of the trial," Mr Emerson said.

"At Oxley Road, Corinda there were also two bridge strikes compared with an average of 2.5 a year prior to the start of the trial.

"Even with flashing warning lights, the footage of a truck crashing into the bridge shows that technology is there to assist but drivers need to be responsible."

He said the fact two vehicles struck the bridges even with all of the protective measures showed there was no silver bullet solution.

"When vehicles strike rail bridges, parts of the network often have to be closed until thorough safety inspections can be undertaken so it costs the community in a number of ways."

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

[HappyTrainGuy]

Meh. Just build em like Wynnumn. Problem solved

[Gazza]

You shall not pass!

[somebody]

Pessimists/cynics = win

Optimists = lose

[Gazza]

https://p.twimg.com/AzwsoIuCYAIb4_j.jpg:large

Tonights bridge strike at Indro. The roof of the rental truck was opened up like a tin of sardines...Guess they were unABEL to obey the height warning

Would have got a a better pic, but right as we crossed the bridge a Caboolture train passed, blocking the view, so only managed a crap one looking backwards.

[Fares_Fair]

BRIDGE STRIKES IN PALMWOODS SOON TO BE A THING OF THE PAST

Works have started on a new bridge protection system for the rail bridge over the Palmwoods Montville Road, near the Jubilee Drive intersection, located in Palmwoods (near Kolora park, aka duck ponds).

It will consist of reinforced concrete piles drilled 10m into the ground, on each side of the bridge, with a girder - possibly a reinforced concrete beam [t.b.c.] between the pylons, to protect the bridge from eastern side approach impacts.

Works will not disrupt trains travelling across the bridge, and will be occurring at night to minimise traffic impacts.

The Good news is that the bridge will soon be protected from truck strikes.
The Bad news is that they wouldn't be doing this if the rail duplication was going to happen any time soon ... 

[Fares_Fair]

 

[Gazza]

^Was there meant to be something else in that post?