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Sent to all outlets:

Bridge strikes are a very serious issue - action needed!

22nd November 2022

Greetings,

Yesterday yet another bridge strike - vehicle striking a rail bridge, potentially causing delays on the Queensland Rail Citytrain network.

'Truck crunches under bridge, second crash in that spot in a week'
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/truck-crunches-under-bridge-second-crash-in-that-spot-in-a-week-20221121-p5bzy0.html

Bridge strikes are a very serious issue. There are far too many bridge strikes in Queensland, they are dangerous, fatalities have occurred in the past due to bridge strikes and there are real risks of serious injury to bystanders in the immediate area of the strikes. Bystanders at risk are occupants of vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and others on scooters and the like. Bridge strikes lead to transport network disruption. Trains are stopped until the bridge is deemed safe for rail traffic. Roads are blocked causing traffic chaos.

There is also a chance that a bridge strike could lead to a derailment. To mitigate against the risk of damage to bridges and the rail track, bridge protection beams are being increasing placed on high-risk bridges. Protection beams are good in that they protect the bridges, but vehicles are still hitting the beams with the commensurate risks to vehicle operators and bystanders and traffic chaos.

Queensland Rail does take bridge strikes and bridge strike protection very seriously ( https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/inthecommunity/projects/bridge-strike-protection  ).
But there needs to be more support for our rail operator from Government, Police, and the road transport groups to get rid of this scourge.

We suggest action on a number of levels.

1. First bridge (beam) strike offence, 3-6 months automatic licence suspension with fine, and cost recovery. 2nd bridge strike offence off the road for life. This might focus some minds.

2. Education campaigns, bridge protection and warnings in all its guises. Transport companies be responsible for ensuring drivers have designated safe routes as well as the driver acknowledging the height of the vehicle and loads as applicable, and it is properly documented. Particularly important for weekend removal-van hire.

3. In cab warning devices if all else fails - alarm, preferably a loud klaxon sounds in cab if truck/bus approaches a low-level bridge, be it rail over road, or road over road, pedestrian or other structure over road. This could be part of navigation systems, could also be a standalone system.

Bridge strikes can be completely avoided if we step up our actions.
Let's do it!
Again, a lack of leadership from the Government and its Transport agencies.
The wheels are falling off these lazy outfits.

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

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Know the height of your vehicle and plan ahead to avoid  a nasty situation ...

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Re: Bridge strikes are a very serious issue - action needed!

23rd November 2022

Good Morning,

Queensland Rail has released video of an Oxley Road bridge strike at https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=external&v=837471260796217

You can see why bystanders are at grave risk, as we outlined in the correspondence below.

Seriously, is it going to take a major disaster before there is some real action to address these very dangerous bridge strikes?

It is time the Minister of Transport acted decisively.   Pleading with drivers is not working.  Perhaps following the steps we have outlined below might be the correct thing to do.

We await for an immediate response.  Please do not ignore us any more.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Quote from: ozbob on November 22, 2022, 00:29:22 AMSent to all outlets:

Bridge strikes are a very serious issue - action needed!

22nd November 2022

Greetings,

Yesterday yet another bridge strike - vehicle striking a rail bridge, potentially causing delays on the Queensland Rail Citytrain network.

'Truck crunches under bridge, second crash in that spot in a week'
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/truck-crunches-under-bridge-second-crash-in-that-spot-in-a-week-20221121-p5bzy0.html

Bridge strikes are a very serious issue. There are far too many bridge strikes in Queensland, they are dangerous, fatalities have occurred in the past due to bridge strikes and there are real risks of serious injury to bystanders in the immediate area of the strikes. Bystanders at risk are occupants of vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and others on scooters and the like. Bridge strikes lead to transport network disruption. Trains are stopped until the bridge is deemed safe for rail traffic. Roads are blocked causing traffic chaos.

There is also a chance that a bridge strike could lead to a derailment. To mitigate against the risk of damage to bridges and the rail track, bridge protection beams are being increasing placed on high-risk bridges. Protection beams are good in that they protect the bridges, but vehicles are still hitting the beams with the commensurate risks to vehicle operators and bystanders and traffic chaos.

Queensland Rail does take bridge strikes and bridge strike protection very seriously ( https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/inthecommunity/projects/bridge-strike-protection  ).
But there needs to be more support for our rail operator from Government, Police, and the road transport groups to get rid of this scourge.

We suggest action on a number of levels.

1. First bridge (beam) strike offence, 3-6 months automatic licence suspension with fine, and cost recovery. 2nd bridge strike offence off the road for life. This might focus some minds.

2. Education campaigns, bridge protection and warnings in all its guises. Transport companies be responsible for ensuring drivers have designated safe routes as well as the driver acknowledging the height of the vehicle and loads as applicable, and it is properly documented. Particularly important for weekend removal-van hire.

3. In cab warning devices if all else fails - alarm, preferably a loud klaxon sounds in cab if truck/bus approaches a low-level bridge, be it rail over road, or road over road, pedestrian or other structure over road. This could be part of navigation systems, could also be a standalone system.

Bridge strikes can be completely avoided if we step up our actions.
Let's do it!
Again, a lack of leadership from the Government and its Transport agencies.
The wheels are falling off these lazy outfits.

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

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Bridge strike on rail over road bridge, Brockhurst Rd Nambour.

Sunshine Coast line is presently closed between Nambour and Yandina.

Not sure of the extent of damage, but appears no protection for the bridge.


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Sunshine Coast News --> 'Timely reminder' for drivers: rail line closed for unknown amount of time after bridge strike

QuoteQueensland Rail is working to repair a damaged bridge on the state's main train line but doesn't know when it will be fixed, as passengers are inconvenienced and freight services are interrupted.

The bridge above Brockhurst Road in Nambour, which has a signed clearance height of 4.7m, was struck by a vehicle during the weekend.

It was noticed during a routine track inspection on Sunday, when the line was closed for weekend maintenance, including at nearby Blackall Terrace.

Workers were despatched to start repairs immediately and the 8km section of line between Nambour and Yandina has been closed since. ...

All rail over road bridges on the Sunshine Coast line should have beam protection.

It is unusual for a 4.7m clearance bridge to be struck but IT HAS!

And the North Coast line has been closed for now on a week.  No freight, limited passenger services both interurban and long distance.  Appalling situation.

Fuk, this state is really rooted!!   

To be fair, 4.7 metres high is higher than a handful of bridges over the highway and they dont seem to have protection either. How someone manages to hit a bridge that high is anyones guess, and hopefully they do put in a protecting beam now, but I dont think it's indicative of 'poor' public transport. Many things in this state are, but I dont think this is.

I hear that they are transferring rail freight onto trucks.
That would he a huge logistical operation given the number of freight trains.

Quote from: Fares_Fair on March 30, 2023, 10:34:08 AMI hear that they are transferring rail freight onto trucks.
That would he a huge logistical operation given the number of freight trains.

Crikey ...

There is a list of SEQ low level bridges here > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=13753.0

Service disruptions Travel train  > https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/ServiceUpdates

Quote from: RowBro on March 30, 2023, 09:15:21 AMTo be fair, 4.7 metres high is higher than a handful of bridges over the highway and they dont seem to have protection either. How someone manages to hit a bridge that high is anyones guess, and hopefully they do put in a protecting beam now, but I dont think it's indicative of 'poor' public transport. Many things in this state are, but I dont think this is.

All rail over road with clearances less than 5.0m need protection.  It is poor public transport to not protect a critical rail corridor such as the Sunshine Coast / North Coast line, particularly with the history of the Price St Nambour strike in 2014.  I think the poor punters who thought they would be travelling on the Spirit of Queensland are not too pleased with their coach replacement.

At least this incident might dispel the bean counter thinking that bridges with clearances 4.6 to 5.0 m don't need protection.

We can only hope.  How much more freight is now lost to rail?

https://twitter.com/QueenslandRail/status/1641251905694318592

One hopes that the Minister for Transport might make a Ministerial Statement in the Queensland Parliament detailing the circumstances and recovery for this bridge strike event today.

Do I hope too much?   

Quote from: ozbob on March 30, 2023, 11:35:42 AMAll rail over road with clearances less than 5.0m need protection.  It is poor public transport to not protect a critical rail corridor such as the Sunshine Coast / North Coast line, particularly with the history of the Price St Nambour strike in 2014.  I think the poor punters who thought they would be travelling on the Spirit of Queensland are not too pleased with their coach replacement.

At least this incident might dispel the bean counter thinking that bridges with clearances 4.6 to 5.0 m don't need protection.

We can only hope.  How much more freight is now lost to rail?

In hindsight, yes, they ought to have been protected since it is major infrastructure, but I can understand why it was thought to be unnecessary. 4.7 metres is extremely high. Higher than the majority of semi trucks (trailers included). The person who hit the bridge would have held a heavy trucking license, and they should have known the height of their load. Ultimately, they are to blame, especially when they didn't even report the incident. It was fortunate that the bridge was inspected the same weekend to be frank.

Now that the incident has occurred, hopefully they change policy to protect bridges up to 5 metres. Problem is, unless you want to fork out hundreds of thousands of dollars protecting every bridge you have to have a limit, and with any limit comes the risk that some idiot will still manage to hit a higher bridge.

^ it is often loads on the back of vehicles that hit the bridges.  These loads can be very high, and can do a lot of damage because often heavy equipment and the truck is travelling at speed.  The beams stop the bridge being hit, without the consequences we are now seeing for the rail network.

Quote from: ozbob on March 30, 2023, 12:45:49 PM^ it is often loads on the back of vehicles that hit the bridges.  These loads can be very high, and can do a lot of damage because often heavy equipment and the truck is travelling at speed.   The beams stop the bridge being hit, with the consequences we are now seeing for the rail network.

Yea, but that's only a fraction of the trucking market which is mostly containing of enclosed trailers bellow 4.7m. The drivers who are hauling heavy machinery above this height should know their load height. Pure incompetence on the part of the driver.

Hopefully beams are now installed since, clearly, no matter how high a bridge is incompetent/impatient people will still manage to hit it, but I can completely understand why it wasn't deemed necessary! The people holding these heavy trucking licenses should be professionals 

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1641282345495056384

Quote from: ozbob on March 30, 2023, 12:45:49 PM^ it is often loads on the back of vehicles that hit the bridges.  These loads can be very high, and can do a lot of damage because often heavy equipment and the truck is travelling at speed.  The beams stop the bridge being hit, without the consequences we are now seeing for the rail network.

Linkfield road is 4.8m.

The Price Street Nambour Bridge incident in January 2014 was caused by a crane (cherry picker?) on the back of a truck.
It bent the tracks up and out by some 300mm.
Its consequences if a freight train, or passenger train had of derailed would have been devastating..

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1645923208263262208

Couriermail --> Incredible footage: CCTV captures alarming SEQ bridge strikes $

QuoteIncredible footage showing drivers crashing into low-lying bridges and protection beams has been released by Queensland Rail in a fresh bid to educate drivers about the dangers of the height and load of their vehicles.

Queensland Rail Head of South East Queensland Scott Riedel said the message "size matters – know your trucking height" was more important than ever, after damage caused by a collision with the Brockhurst Road rail bridge at Nambour last month. ...

Sent to all outlets:

Bridge strikes are a very serious issue - action needed!

27th April 2023

Greetings,

Queensland Rail has launched another bridge strike awareness campaign ( https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1158864034792754 )

Bridge strikes are a very serious issue. There are far too many bridge strikes in Queensland, they are dangerous, fatalities have occurred in the past due to bridge strikes and there are real risks of serious injury to bystanders in the immediate area of the strikes. Bystanders at risk are occupants of vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and others on scooters and the like. Bridge strikes lead to transport network disruption. Trains are stopped until the bridge is deemed safe for rail traffic. Roads are blocked causing traffic chaos.

There is also a chance that a bridge strike could lead to a derailment. To mitigate against the risk of damage to bridges and the rail track, bridge protection beams are being increasing placed on high-risk bridges. Protection beams are good in that they protect the bridges, but vehicles are still hitting the beams with the commensurate risks to vehicle operators and bystanders and traffic chaos.

Queensland Rail does take bridge strikes and bridge strike protection very seriously ( https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/inthecommunity/projects/bridge-strike-protection  ).
But there needs to be more support for our rail operator from Government, Police, and the road transport groups to get rid of this scourge.

We suggest action on a number of levels.

1. First bridge (beam) strike offence, 3-6 months automatic licence suspension with fine, and cost recovery. 2nd bridge strike offence off the road for life. This might focus some minds.

2. Education campaigns, bridge protection and warnings in all its guises. Transport companies be responsible for ensuring drivers have designated safe routes as well as the driver acknowledging the height of the vehicle and loads as applicable, and it is properly documented. Particularly important for weekend removal-van hire.

3. In cab warning devices if all else fails - alarm, preferably a loud klaxon sounds in cab if truck/bus approaches a low-level bridge, be it rail over road, or road over road, pedestrian or other structure over road. This could be part of navigation systems, could also be a standalone system.

Bridge strikes can be completely avoided if we step up our actions. Let's do it!

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

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