RAIL - Back On Track Forum

https://x.com/railbotforum/status/1789855335127175207

Couriermail --> Truck slams into Pickering St bridge at Gaythorne, causing train suspensions, traffic delays $

QuoteCCTV has captured the moment a truck slammed into a rail bridge in Brisbane's north causing early morning commuter chaos.

A Queensland Rail spokeswoman said the crash occurred about 5.50am on Thursday on Pickering St in Gaythorne.

In footage obtained by the Courier-Mail the top of the truck can be seen crumpling on impact.

The crash caused Ferny Grove services to be suspended in both directions between Enoggera and Mitchelton while inspections were carried out, with five services delayed between 10 and 40 minutes. ...

CCTV captures moment truck slams into Queensland rail bridge causing early morning delays for commuters. Photo: Queensland Rail

Queensland Rail: Low rail bridges in South East Queensland

https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/forcustomers/safetysecurity/railbridges

"Rail bridge collisions can be dangerous for motorists and cause frustrating delays for road and rail users.

While Queensland Rail invests in engineering solutions to reduce the likelihood and impact of rail bridge collisions at key locations across its network, the reality is every low-level bridge (under 5.3 m) is fitted with height clearance signage and it's up to motorists to know their vehicle's height and load and stay clear of bridges which are too low. It's that simple.

If you own a caravan or are considering hiring a removal truck, or are driving in an area which you're not familiar with, please know your vehicle's height, stay alert, and take an alternate route if the height clearance sign of a rail bridge shows your vehicle is too high. Running the risk is simply not worth it.

If you are involved in, or witness, a bridge strike incident, it should be immediately reported to us using the telephone number on the identification plate fixed to the bridge or calling Emergency Network Control on 1800 079 303."

Details for bridges:

Low clearance <4.6m

Clearance 4.6m to <5.4m

> https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/forcustomers/safetysecurity/railbridges

https://x.com/QueenslandRail/status/1797440077318021542

Sent to all outlets:

Bridge strikes are a very serious issue - more action needed!

3rd June 2024

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

'This morning, a truck hit a rail bridge in Corinda causing significant structural damage and resulted in significant delays ... '
https://x.com/QueenslandRail/status/1797440077318021542

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

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/brisbane-news-live-calls-for-first-home-concessions-on-more-properties-bus-driver-charged-over-crash-that-killed-tia-cameron-20240603-p5jiuc.html?post=p572uq#p572uq

QuoteCommuters warned to expect train delays this week

There will be delays for commuters this week while a rail bridge is urgently repaired after a truck crash yesterday.

Yesterday morning, an over-height truck hit a rail bridge at Corinda, causing long delays, and Queensland Rail's engineering teams have identified significant structural damage to a section of the bridge.

Queensland Rail said a section of the bridge would remain closed until permanent repairs could be completed, and this would affect the Ipswich and Springfield lines.

"We anticipate these repairs will be completed by next week."

https://x.com/QueenslandRail/status/1799952483080384826

https://x.com/railbotforum/status/1800247856001134594

https://x.com/railbotforum/status/1811101011777568782

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1815783932413247801

Couriermail --> 'When will they learn?': Truck slams into notorious Bayside rail bridge $

QuoteA removalist truck is the latest victim of a Bayside rail bridge notorious for collisions.

Around 10am on Friday an Xpress Movers truck was spotted with extensive damage to its roof after the vehicle collided with the crash beam of the 2.8m rail bridge on Pine Street in Wynnum.

A Queensland Police Services spokeswoman confirmed the bridge had no visible damage. Police crews attended the scene but the truck had already left, and paramedics were not required at the scene. ...

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1819391863423709227

https://x.com/railbotforum/status/1823137163950899486

https://x.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1831247582569312767

^ good report this. 

https://x.com/railbotforum/status/1835685629524668778

https://x.com/railbotforum/status/1844234660395745747

Sunshine Coast News --> 'Heads up': 85 vehicles strike local rail bridges and beams in two years

QuoteMeasures have been taken at the site of a bridge strike that caused havoc with rail operations.

A Structural Monitoring and Alert System (SMAS) has been installed at Brockhurst Road at Nambour, where a truck crashed into an overhead rail bridge last year.

It significantly affected train services on the state's main track for more than a week and led to a road closure for seven months, while the bridge was fixed.

It was one of 85 strikes to rail bridges and protection beams on the Sunshine Coast in a two year span.

There was an incident at Nambour in recent weeks, when a bus hit the rail bridge over Price Street, although a protection beam ensured there was no damage to the line.

The new SMAS at Brockhurst Road provides remote sensing and video monitoring, to allow for immediate assessment of an impact after a vehicle collision. ...

https://x.com/railbotforum/status/1846012840731464139

Oxley Road, Corinda at approximately 12:45hrs on Wednesday 16 October - Bridge Strike - unconfirmed witnesses indicated large B double type truck, driving potentially driving faster than the 40kph speed limit has smashed into the Rail Bridge on Oxley Road near Coles Corinda.

Police have indicated potentially many hours before road will be cleared for use. It has been reported that "Two of the steel support brackets on the front of the bridge have been ripped clean off and we're lying on the road"    

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/b11YVPCDh2scZMYm/

^ thanks for the report. 

They have tried everything at that bridge to reduce the incidence of bridge strikes but they still occur there with some regularity sadly.   

 

https://x.com/brisbanetimes/status/1846411317865074999

Couriermail --> B-double rolls and wedged under a Brisbane rail bridge causing a suburban road to close for several hours $

QuoteA B-double has rolled on its side and become wedged under a major Brisbane rail bridge shutting down a suburban road.

Motorists are urged to avoid Oxley Rd just after Martindale and Clewley Streets in Corinda after the truck collided with the Corinda rail bridge at 12.50pm.

Diversions will remain in place for several hours, with all lanes blocked inbound towards Sherwood.

The Corinda bridge was recently featured in the top five – coming in at number four – for most frequent rail strike bridges for the 2023/24 financial year, along with Logan Rd in Buranda, North Street in Willowburn, Bergin Street in Booval, and William Berry Drive / Visentin Rd connection in Morayfield.  ...

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1846413468121157687

^^ So not only did they hit the bridge, but wedged themselves sideways while doing it??? That's new...

Vehicles and loads rolling with bridge/beam strikes are a major serious hazard, particularly to bystanders be they pedestrians, cyclists, other road vehicles and occupants.  Cyclists have been killed under such circumstances. It really is time the Government came down hard on drivers hitting bridges and beams.  Queensland Rail is totally exasperated.

https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?msg=284492

Quote...

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. ...

Quote from: ozbob on October 16, 2024, 14:41:16 PM^ thanks for the report. 

They have tried everything at that bridge to reduce the incidence of bridge strikes but they still occur there with some regularity sadly.   

Have they tried a height limit before the bridge?

^ they have even had a special warning system using laser that activates when an oversize vehicle approaches the bridge along Oxley Road.

Putting beams in that location is difficult, but not impossible.  I think they need to consider that.
Beams protect the bridge ( a sound thing ) but by themselves they don't stop beam strikes and commensurate bystander risks.

>> https://maps.app.goo.gl/XExXmtzpGo3uyzSN7

Sent to all outlets:

Bridge strikes and ensuing chaos continues  - more action needed!

17th October 2024

More chaos with the ongoing debacle of yet another bridge strike yesterday (B-double rolls and wedged under a Brisbane rail bridge causing a suburban road to close for several hours https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/bdouble-rolls-and-wedged-under-a-brisbane-rail-bridge-causing-a-suburban-road-to-close-for-several-hours/news-story/574772dcd94fb310ff307bb38a70281c ).  "In the 2023/24 financial year there were 369 rail bridge or protection beam strikes recorded, with 360 the year before."

The 'please play nice' campaigns are not working. Time to take some strong actions.

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. There is a lack of leadership on these issues at the Senior Government level.

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

Facebook ...

https://x.com/railbotforum/status/1846565711801709035

This idiot shouldn't have a heavy vehicle licence. Missing by a few cm is one thing, but anyone remotely competent at driving a truck should've known there's no way this thing would fit. Clearly not capable of driving a truck safely. Find a new job.

https://x.com/CoxyJindas/status/1846407305572896771