18 Feb 2009: Time for action to stop bridge strikes

[ozbob]

Media Release 18 February 2009

Queensland:  Time for action to stop bridge strikes

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users has called for the implementation of a policy that works to eliminate rail and road bridge strikes by heavy road vehicles.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Yesterday, yet another heavy vehicle was jammed under the rail bridge at Corinda which crosses Oxley Road.  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."

"Warning devices 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."

"It is farcical that these bridge strikes are allowed to occur month after month with seemingly little action to address the fundamental issues."

"The serious risk 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."

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Truck crash at boom gates stops trains on Ipswich line

Truck crash at boom gates stops trains on Ipswich line
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Leanne Edmistone

February 25, 2009 09:20am

ALL trains on the busy Ipswich line have been suspended after a truck hit boomgates at a railway crossing at Wacol, in Brisbane's south-west.
A TransLink spokesman said the accident happened about 8.35am on Station Road, Wacol, and trains had been suspended while the damage was assessed.

The spokesman said police and electricians were on scene, and it was hoped services would return to normaly by about 9.30am.

A Brisbane Traffic Management Centre spokesman said the truck hit the boomgates and all traffic was stopped in both directions.

But he said it was not expected to have a signficant impact on morning commuter traffic.

It is unclear what caused the accident or if there were any injuries.

Meanwhile, a truck is lodged under the Dutton Park railway bridge on Annerley Road. One lane of traffic is blocked.

[ozbob]

Bridge strikes are an Australia wide issue ...

From News.com.au  click here!

New England Highway pedestrian bridge collapses

New England Highway pedestrian bridge collapses

NEWS.com.au

March 05, 2009 12:59pm

A PEDESTRIAN bridge has collapsed onto the New England Highway north of Newcastle, leaving four people with minor injuries, police say.

The Devonshire St pedestrian bridge at Maitland collapsed about 10am (AEDT) when an over-height truck hit it as it passed underneath.

The driver of that truck was unharmed, but the occupants of a second truck and a car that took the brunt of the collapse were injured, police say.

"A truck with a crane attached has hit the pedestrian overpass and brought it down on the New England Highway," a police spokesman said.

"The concrete structure's collapsed onto a second truck and also a car.  The driver of the truck and three other people in the car are believed to have only suffered minor injuries - which is quite miraculous, I'm told."

No one was believed to have been walking across the overpass at the time of the accident, he said.

The highway is closed in both directions as investigations take place and the roadway cleared.

Temporary diversions are in place, the police spokesman said.

[ozbob]

Tunnel strike this one ...

From Gold Coast News.com.au  click here!

Five warnings not enough

Five warnings not enough

Ben Dillaway

March 21st, 2009

AN over-height semi-trailer passed five warning signs before tearing down pipes and lights in the Tugun bypass tunnel on the Gold Coast yesterday and closing northbound lanes for three hours.

Police said the semi-trailer, which was carrying a crushing plant machine, hit the entrance to the south side of the tunnel about 9am Queensland time. The driver could face charges.

"It was loaded to the point were it was too high to go under the tunnel and part of the load has collided with the top of it," said NSW police Senior Constable Mark Warrall.

"It damaged the machinery and the tunnel and the driver kept going to the other side of the tunnel and then pulled up."

A goldcoast.com.au reader witnessed the accident and said the truck hit the tunnel at speed.

"I was behind the truck when it hit the tunnel and was amazed the driver wasn't hurt," said Jude.

"There was another truck between me and the truck that hit. He swerved into the right lane; luckily there wasn't much traffic at the time.

"I pulled over straight away and rang 000 as there was debris all over the road and parts of the tunnel were hanging precariously.

"Unbelievably about 20 cars drove through the tunnel afterwards ignoring the stop signs."

Before the $543 million tunnel there are five signs warning of the 5.1m clearance.

Sen-Constable Warrall said the driver thought he was under the limit.

"But it doesn't look that way," he said.

While the northbound lanes were closed to repair the tunnel, traffic was diverted onto the Gold Coast Highway which was reduced to a crawl.

"(The traffic jam) is like the dark old days before the bypass," said Griffith University student Thomas Pyke who got stuck in the traffic while heading home to Southport.

A Main Roads spokeswoman said the truck caused minor damage to the tunnel's lighting and some water pipes.

"They were repaired and determined to be safe," she said.

The road was opened shortly after 12pm following a safety assessment from Main Roads engineers and the NSW Fire Brigade.

The spokeswoman said further repairs will be carried out during the next routine maintenance closure to minimise disruptions to motorists.

She said the cost of repairs was unknown at this stage.

"As the incident occurred in NSW, cost recovery from the vehicle operator is a matter for the NSW Government."

Sen-Constable Warrall said investigations into the accident were continuing and driver could face charges.

"We've referred it to the RTA for permit checks and we've measured the vehicle in relation the height restrictions.

"It's a possibility he could be charged but I can't say anymore until we have completed our enquires."

The Main Roads spokeswoman said there are legislative requirements for heavy vehicle operators.

"A vehicle of this height should not be operating on the Tugun bypass.

"Advanced warning signs are in place to advise motorists of height restrictions.

"Drivers have a responsibility to be aware of the height of the vehicle they are driving.

"No over mass or over height permits vehicles are permitted to use the Tugun bypass. A breach of New South Wales and Queensland permits will be investigated.

"There is a heavy vehicle bypass via the Gold Coast Highway."

[ozbob]

A response to our initial media release of the 18th Feb 2009 has been received.

16 April 2009

Dear Robert

I make reference to your email dated 18 February 2009 entitled "Queensland: Time for action to stop bridge strikes" which I forwarded on your behalf to the office of the then Minister for Transport Hon John Mickel MP.  I have received the following response from the Minister's office:

"The management of road bridges is the responsibility of the road infrastructure manager. Road bridges on state controlled roads are controlled by the Department of Main Roads and road bridges on council controlled roads are controlled by the respective local council. Road infrastructure managers are responsible for controlling risks relating to road infrastructure, which can be achieved by a variety of engineering and technological means.

The management of rail bridges is the responsibility of both the road infrastructure manager and rail infrastructure manager. Currently rail infrastructure mangers are required to have appropriate risk mitigation strategies for rail/road interfaces to be accredited. The proposed implementation of the National Rail Safety Bill in Queensland will provide more specific requirements including interface agreements between road and rail infrastructure managers.

It remains the responsibility of all road users, in this case especially heavy vehicle operators, to ensure they obey the road rules.

Specific road rules apply to drivers of vehicles that disobey clearance signs. Furthermore, drivers and/or operators of vehicles may be charged and made to pay for damages caused to transport infrastructure. Vehicles that exceed maximum height dimensions must operate under excess dimension guidelines that regulate the movement of over-dimension vehicles and are published by Queensland Transport.

Your suggestion for future transport technologies and the many potential benefits they may bring are fully appreciated and have been noted. Improving the safety of road use through the use of vehicle and roadside technology are under consideration by Queensland Transport and resources are being devoted towards developing solutions for these issues.

Queensland Transport is currently investigating the use of 'smart' vehicles and intelligent transport technologies across a wide variety of areas, with the aim of delivering a world class transport system at both a state and national level.

In relation to in-vehicle technology systems, there are a number of initiatives which Queensland Transport is investigating that provide warnings to drivers of speed zones, potential hazards etc. However, the effectiveness of these devices requires their widespread use throughout the national heavy vehicle fleet. Queensland Transport will continue to consult with national, state and industry agencies in this regard.

Fixed hazards such as low clearances may be treated with on-site technology based solutions such as detectors and visual signals that don't require devices in every vehicle. The owner of the asset needs to determine the level of risk and the appropriate solution in each circumstance."

Thank you for bringing your concerns to my attention.

Yours sincerely

Julie Attwood MP

Thank you Mrs Attwood for following this matter up with the Minister, and for the response from the Minister.

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Trains resume after bus incident

Trains resume after bus incident
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Ursula Heger

November 06, 2009 04:24pm

UPDATE: SERVICES have resumed on the Ipswich line after a bus became stuck underneath a rail bridge in Graceville this afternoon.

TransLink has been advised that trains have resumed  with only minimal delays expected as services return to normal.

Buses had been replacing trains between Milton and Sherwood stations after the airconditioning unit of the Brisbane City Council bus became lodged under the bridge on Long St east about 3.30pm.

The bus was empty at the time of the accident.

Services were running express from Roma Street to Corinda stations via the Tennyson line, he said.

There was one train on the line at the time of the incident with passengers now being transferred on to buses at Indooroopilly station.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets.

7th November 2009

Greetings,

Another disruption yesterday as bus strikes rail bridge at Graceville.  Simple warning devices before these bridges will help stop the strikes. Nothing ever happens, just more strikes, more disruption for public transport commuters who quite frankly, are becoming tired of constant mayhem.

Can someone institute a roll out of warning devices before bridges please?

Thanks.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

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

http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1888.0

Media Release 18 February 2009

Queensland:  Time for action to stop bridge strikes

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users has called for the implementation of a policy that works to eliminate rail and road bridge strikes by heavy road vehicles.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Yesterday, yet another heavy vehicle was jammed under the rail bridge at Corinda which crosses Oxley Road.  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."

"Warning devices 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."

"It is farcical that these bridge strikes are allowed to occur month after month with seemingly little action to address the fundamental issues."

"The serious risk 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."

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Interesting read -->

Prevention of Strikes on Bridges over Highways (UK)

[ozbob]

Some photographs of the recent bridge strike at Graceville at ATDB  click here!

[ozbob]

http://www.translink.com.au/ontimerail.php

8.55am

A truck has come into contact with the Long Street rail bridge at Graceville. All rail services have been suspended on the Ipswich line between Sherwood and Milton while the bridge is being inspected.

[#Metro]

Why don't they just put up a metal frame before the bridge.

Signs, red & yellow stripey paint and flashing lights do not work anymore. People these days are blind, blind, blind and do not read anything, even if it is in front of their face.

Might be the same reasons why people drive through boom gates...

So, who is responsible for this "road/rail interface"? And who will pay for a height limiting metal frame/boom to go before and after the bridge? Sounds like getting a straight answer will involve a bureaucratic paper fight...

[O_128]

The solution at wynnum is quite good with a low sign to stop trucks and buses rather than let them hit the bridge.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Stratton+Terrace,+QLD&ll=-27.443532,153.169145&spn=0,359.999129&t=h&z=21&layer=c&cbll=-27.443521,153.169275&panoid=HBSlg1O1jqppGBrqwLHEPg&cbp=12,254.21,,1,4.24

[#Metro]

There is one like that in Auchenflower.

[ozbob]

http://www.translink.com.au/alert.php?id=257

Ipswich line delays between Sherwood and Milton - effective 19 November 2009

QR has advised TransLink that all train services are suspended between Sherwood and Milton stations due a truck hitting the rail bridge at Allwood Street, Indooroopilly.

All Ipswich line services will run express Corinda to Roma Street via the Tennyson loop until further notice.

QR is arranging buses for passengers between Sherwood and Milton stations.

Passenger should expect delays of 30 minutes.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

19th November

Greetings,

Another bridge strike on the Ipswich line this afternoon.  Second this week.

How about Queensland Transport put up some protection beams with metal acoustic cylinders to warn drivers of large vehicles that their oversize vehicle will not fit under bridges?

How hard can it be?

See Media Release 18 February 2009

Queensland:  Time for action to stop bridge strikes -->  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1888.0

Goodness, what an appalling situation.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

[p858snake]

The solution at wynnum is quite good with a low sign to stop trucks and buses rather than let them hit the bridge.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Stratton+Terrace,+QLD&ll=-27.443532,153.169145&spn=0,359.999129&t=h&z=21&layer=c&cbll=-27.443521,153.169275&panoid=HBSlg1O1jqppGBrqwLHEPg&cbp=12,254.21,,1,4.24

Most take away drive though (kfc, mcdonalds ect) and under cover parking at major shops have similar systems, where they have a high sign with a bar hanging down on chains and if you hit it, you know your too high.

[ozbob]

Yet another strike ...

Twitter

TransLinkSEQ
 
Up to 45 minute delays on the Ipswich line do to a truck hitting the rail bridge at Chelmer Street, between Chelmer and Graceville stations.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

December 1 

Greetings,

Another bridge strike on the Ipswich line yesterday  at Chelmer.

We have previously suggested Queensland Transport put up some protection beams with metal acoustic cylinders to warn drivers of large vehicles that their oversize vehicle will not fit under bridges?

Is anyone concerned with bridge strikes? The apparent inaction in terms of legal and financial sanctions, together with an apparent general non-response by the authorities is alarming.

Rail commuters  are concerned.  I am sure others are as well.

It is highly probable that sadly one day one of these needless bridge strikes will alter the railway right of way as a train passes.  The results could be devastating.  See Prevention of Strikes on Bridges over Highways (UK)

Our initial media release 18 February 2009 Queensland:  Time for action to stop bridge strikes -->  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1888.0

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

[ozbob]

Radio 612 ABC Brisbane has highlighted the bridge strike issue this morning on the breakfast show.

Thank you.

[ozbob]

http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2009/12/checking-the-height-of-rail-bridges.html#more

Checking the height of rail bridges
08 December 2009


Every time a truck gets stuck under a bridge, do you wonder whether the declared bridge height on the sign is accurate?

We do.

So we sent 612 Breakfast reporter Rebecca Levingston out with surveyor Mark Pigeon to measure the heights of three rail bridges along the Ipswich line.

Mark used a handheld laser device to measure the heights of the bridges.

The measurements are accurate to within 3 millimetres.

Here are the results:

Long Street in Graceville (declared height 2.9m - actual height 3.04m)

Coonan St, Indooroopilly (declared height 2.8m - actual height 2.94m)

Sylvan Rd, Toowong (declared height 3.5m - actual height 3.9m)

In all cases the actual height was greater than the declared height.

[Jon Bryant]

So the signs are correct thus it is driver error.  Charge the driver with the cost of refunded tickets for the delays caused to passengers.  That will make them think twice or hopefully three or more times before driving under the bridge.

[ozbob]

Indeed, my blog comment at 612 ...

Excellent investigation and comment.

Clearly there is a need for protection. Signs will not stop vehicles but are necessary of course. Protective cross beams before the bridge will protect the bridge. In other situations tell-tales might be effective.

In the final analysis it is the responsibility of the driver of high vehicles to know their height and exercise due care and attention.

Well done!

[ozbob]

From the Satellite 9th December 2009 page 5

Train derailment around corner?

[ozbob]

Check out this bridge strike!  Double decker bus scalped!

From the Sunday Mail 13th December 2009 page 51

Double trouble for school bus driver