Bridge strikes

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1108619225017442304

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1108546375313031168


This was the 2nd bridge/beam strike this morning. I had just picked up a family member from the Mater Hospital and was traveling past and my passenger took the photograph.

The other strike was near O'Keefe St Logan Road  Buranda ( ^^ )..

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

22nd March 2019

Bridge strikes continue unabated ..

Good Morning,

Bridge/beam strikes continue unabated on the SEQ rail and road network.  Bridge strikes are a serious issue, fatalities and injuries have occurred in the past ( https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10943.0 ).  And the bridge/beam strikes are of course very disruptive to our transport networks.

There needs to be more focus on education campaigns, enforcement and sanctions.  It is unacceptable that ' professional' truck drivers continue to strike bridges and beams with vehicles and/or oversize loads.

Yesterday two strikes.  One at Logan Road Buranda, the other at Annerley Road Dutton Park.



Truck has struck the protection beam Annerley Road Dutton Park.  Photograph R. Dow 21 Mar 2019

A number of bridges now have protection beams, but they still are regularly struck by oversize vehicles. The beams protect the actual bridges but there are still very serious risks to other road users and bystanders when struck. We suggest that steps need to be taken now before there is a serious bridge strike. It is only a matter of time before we have a disaster unless urgent action is taken.

1. First offence, 3-6 months automatic licence suspension with fine, and cost recovery. 2nd 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 their height and the documented route selection. 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 approaches a low level bridge, be it rail over road, or road over road, pedestrian over road.

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

Best wishes,

Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1108756404767080448

[ozbob]

Facebook ..

[ozbob]

Bridge strikes 9 in February 2019 on @QueenslandRail https://t.co/NNq4eGBp1Z#qldpol pic.twitter.com/oDWK8CdWpZ

— RAIL_BoT_Forum (@railbotforum) April 10, 2019

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/abcbrisbane/status/1116941095689023488

[ozbob]

^

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1116946580148379648


" 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 their height and the documented route selection. Particularly important for weekend removal-van hire. "*

* https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=13119.msg220473#msg220473

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1116945668096970752

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1116960065074761729

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

14th April 2019

Time for action re bridge/beam strikes

Greetings,

Yet another beam/bridge strike yesterday at Indooroopilly.  Another hire removal van.

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1116946580148379648

This is what we said on the 22nd March 2019 (see below)

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 their height and the documented route selection. Particularly important for weekend removal-van hire.

As with most things to do with transport matters, little action to address this scourge of beam/bridge strikes.  We call on the Minister for Transport to commence an education campaign and put in place procedures that ensure that hire van companies have a documented system of training drivers re height of the hire vehicles and safe route selection.

The latest available data indicates that there were 9 bridge strikes in February 2019.

https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/aboutus/ourperformance/safety-and-security



There are enough constant problems on the rail network without having to contend with the disruptions of these strikes.

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

Sent to all outlets:

22nd March 2019

Bridge strikes continue unabated ..

Good Morning,

Bridge/beam strikes continue unabated on the SEQ rail and road network.  Bridge strikes are a serious issue, fatalities and injuries have occurred in the past ( https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10943.0 ).  And the bridge/beam strikes are of course very disruptive to our transport networks.

There needs to be more focus on education campaigns, enforcement and sanctions.  It is unacceptable that ' professional' truck drivers continue to strike bridges and beams with vehicles and/or oversize loads.

Yesterday two strikes.  One at Logan Road Buranda, the other at Annerley Road Dutton Park.



Truck has struck the protection beam Annerley Road Dutton Park.  Photograph R. Dow 21 Mar 2019

A number of bridges now have protection beams, but they still are regularly struck by oversize vehicles. The beams protect the actual bridges but there are still very serious risks to other road users and bystanders when struck. We suggest that steps need to be taken now before there is a serious bridge strike. It is only a matter of time before we have a disaster unless urgent action is taken.

1. First offence, 3-6 months automatic licence suspension with fine, and cost recovery. 2nd 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 their height and the documented route selection. 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 approaches a low level bridge, be it rail over road, or road over road, pedestrian over road.

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

Best wishes,

Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1117090433211887616

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 15th April 2019 page 13

Another bridge strike

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1117505845439258624

[ozbob]

Facebook ..

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> It's dumb but should they lose their licence for life?


The hire truck firmly wedged under a rail bridge in Allwood St, Indooroopilly, on Saturday.

YOU have to feel sorry for these blokes.

Apparently no one warned them a 2.9m-high truck wouldn't fit under a 2.8m-high bridge in Indooroopilly on Saturday.

While it's a mistake they will probably only make once, there are some people who believe they should automatically lose their licence for up to six months after a first offence.

Do it a second time and they should be banned for life, according to Robert Dow of transport lobby group Rail Back on Track.

Mr Dow first made the call last month after bridge strikes in Buranda and Dutton Park.

After Saturday's incident in Allwood St, Indooroopilly, he says it's time authorities got serious.

"Bridge strikes are a serious issue and fatalities and injuries have occurred in the past," Mr Dow said.

"And the bridge/beam strikes are of course very disruptive to our transport networks.

"There needs to be more focus on education campaigns, enforcement and sanctions."

Mr Dow said that while protection beams at some sites saved bridges from serious damage, there was serious disruption to traffic.

"The beams protect the actual bridges but there are still very serious risks to other road users and bystanders when struck," he said.

"We suggest that steps need to be taken now before there is a serious bridge strike. It is only a matter of time before we have a disaster unless urgent action is taken."

1. Tougher penalties: A three to six-month automatic licence suspension and a fine for the first offence, along with cost recovery. Automatic life-time ban for second offence.

2. Education campaigns: Transport companies, including hire companies, be responsible for ensuring drivers have designated safe routes as well as drivers acknowledging their height and the documented route selection.

3. Warning devices: The installation of in-cab warning devices which sound an alarm if the vehicle approaches a low level bridge.

"Queensland Rail does take bridge strike protection very seriously," Mr Dow said.

"But there needs to be more support from government, police and the road transport authorities to get rid of this scourge."

[SABB]

Sometimes you just can't win.
A few years ago, a family moved to Palmwoods. They loaded the family possessions into a rental truck and went to Palmwoods. They carefully checked the clearance as they slowly went under the railbridge over Margaret Street.  Apparently, the truck just fitted under. They went to their new abode and unloaded. They then went back to get the next load forgetting that the unloaded truck might just be a little bit higher. They hit the bridge at full speed and wrecked one of the spans as well as putting a few more cracks in the pier.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail warns drivers to learn vehicle heights or face consequences

QUEENSLAND Rail is calling for truck drivers to learn their vehicle's height after almost 50 rail bridge strike incidents have been reported in less than a year.

In a bid to prevent the incidents, the company has spent a staggering $4.8 million on bridge strike prevention beams.

Latest data shows up until March this year there were 49 bridge strikes in the 2018-19 financial year, compared with the previous year when there were 94 incidents reported across southeast Queensland, up from 55 in the 2016-17 financial year.

Queensland Rail said the strikes can cause delays of several hours for commuters, with hefty fines in place for the driver.

"Queensland Rail invested close to $4.8 million to install bridge strike prevention beams at high priority locations at Dakabin, Wynnum, Goodna and in the Brisbane CBD," QR chief executive Nick Easy said.

"Not only can these incidents delay both rail and road users, ranging from minutes to hours or more depending on the severity of the impact and any damage sustained, it's also incredibly dangerous and can cost motorists a hefty fine.

"Fines of up to $1009 and four demerit points can apply to those who damage Queensland Rail infrastructure, and motorists could also be pursued for the repair costs," he said.

Often incidents occur when inexperienced drivers are behind the wheel of a large vehicle.

Just last month, on April 13, a rental truck became wedged under a rail bridge on Allwood St in Indooroopilly.

There have been 22 additional detection systems installed across the southeast Queensland network which QR claims has helped to improve the reporting of strikes as they happen.

"This improved reporting accuracy has likely resulted in an increase in the number of incidents reported on the network," Mr Easy said.

"Prevention measures can vary from site to site, ranging from bridge protection beams, to height chimes and state-of-the-art height detection systems with active signage. However, the reality is every bridge is fitted with height clearance signage and it's up to motorists to be alert and know their vehicle's height and load.

"When notified of an over-height vehicle coming into contact with a rail bridge, for the safety of our customers and staff Queensland Rail must immediately suspend services through the area, while physical or remote inspections are undertaken to confirm the structural integrity of the bridge."

Queensland Rail urged drivers, "particularly those who may not be familiar with driving over-height vehicles, such as rental drivers", to learn the vehicle's height and plan routes accordingly.

[ozbob]

QR @QueenslandRail to drivers: Learn your limit or face consequences https://t.co/7vtfZx1NEp ... #qldpol
More support needed from the transport authorities to help get ride of this scourge too. Licence supsensions and automatic full cost recovery might focus a few minds hey ...

— RAIL_BoT_Forum (@railbotforum) May 5, 2019

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1125058039369748480

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

6th May 2019

Bridge strikes - an ongoing scourge

Good Morning,

Great to see Queensland Rail engaged with the Couriermail  and calling for truck drivers to think about their vehicle heights.
( 6th May 2019 Couriermail: Queensland Rail warns drivers to learn vehicle heights or face consequences  https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-rail-warns-drivers-to-learn-vehicle-heights-or-face-consequences/news-story/582074234651bbbf0aa4cda78192eb9e ).

Bridge strikes remain a scourge on our transport networks.  Bridge and other structure strikes, are very disruptive and potentially very dangerous with possible fatal outcomes.

Queensland Rail does what it can to discourage and mitigate the effects of bridge strikes.  But they need more support from Government and Transport authorities as we have detailed before (see attached).  Transport companies must be engaged constructively so that we rid our network of bridge strikes. Leadership on this issue is needed from Government.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

14th April 2019

Time for action re bridge/beam strikes

Greetings,

Yet another beam/bridge strike yesterday at Indooroopilly.  Another hire removal van.

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1116946580148379648

This is what we said on the 22nd March 2019 (see below)

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 their height and the documented route selection. Particularly important for weekend removal-van hire.

As with most things to do with transport matters, little action to address this scourge of beam/bridge strikes.  We call on the Minister for Transport to commence an education campaign and put in place procedures that ensure that hire van companies have a documented system of training drivers re height of the hire vehicles and safe route selection.

The latest available data indicates that there were 9 bridge strikes in February 2019.

https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/aboutus/ourperformance/safety-and-security



There are enough constant problems on the rail network without having to contend with the disruptions of these strikes.

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

Sent to all outlets:

22nd March 2019

Bridge strikes continue unabated ..

Good Morning,

Bridge/beam strikes continue unabated on the SEQ rail and road network.  Bridge strikes are a serious issue, fatalities and injuries have occurred in the past ( https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10943.0 ).  And the bridge/beam strikes are of course very disruptive to our transport networks.

There needs to be more focus on education campaigns, enforcement and sanctions.  It is unacceptable that ' professional' truck drivers continue to strike bridges and beams with vehicles and/or oversize loads.

Yesterday two strikes.  One at Logan Road Buranda, the other at Annerley Road Dutton Park.



Truck has struck the protection beam Annerley Road Dutton Park.  Photograph R. Dow 21 Mar 2019

A number of bridges now have protection beams, but they still are regularly struck by oversize vehicles. The beams protect the actual bridges but there are still very serious risks to other road users and bystanders when struck. We suggest that steps need to be taken now before there is a serious bridge strike. It is only a matter of time before we have a disaster unless urgent action is taken.

1. First offence, 3-6 months automatic licence suspension with fine, and cost recovery. 2nd 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 their height and the documented route selection. 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 approaches a low level bridge, be it rail over road, or road over road, pedestrian over road.

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

Best wishes,

Robert

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

[ozbob]

QR @QueenslandRail to drivers: Learn your limit or face consequences https://t.co/7vtfZx1NEp ... #qldpol
More support needed from the transport authorities to help get ride of this scourge too. Licence supsensions and automatic full cost recovery might focus a few minds hey ...

— RAIL_BoT_Forum (@railbotforum) May 5, 2019

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1125116625110224896

[ozbob]

[verbatim9]

^^

[ozbob]

Delays on City Road, South Melbourne, after this truck crash at the rail bridge near Market St. Lane restrictions in place #melbourne #traffic @VicRoads pic.twitter.com/zHoTC1YSNQ

— ABC Melbourne (@abcmelbourne) May 13, 2019

https://twitter.com/abcmelbourne/status/1128067867780440064

[ozbob]

Bridge Strikes - updated for April 2019https://t.co/NNq4eGBp1Z#qldpol
Uh ... oh ... pic.twitter.com/1XIY8YFXrj

— RAIL_BoT_Forum (@railbotforum) June 10, 2019

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1137884783764107264

[ozbob]

Watch the moment a truck slams into a Melbourne overpass, sending debris crashing into a passing car. #7NEWS https://t.co/ifjYhvGgs4

— 7NEWS Brisbane (@7NewsBrisbane) June 19, 2019

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1141197052136656896

Again demonstrating well the real risks to bystanders be they other vehicles and occupants, cyclists and/or pedestrians, when oversize trucks / loads strike bridges and other structures. STOP IT !
🤦‍♂️ https://t.co/U0I3QVCiNs

— ozbob13 (@ozbob13) June 19, 2019

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1141200381273206784

[ozbob]

Bridge strikes on @QueenslandRail updated for May 2019 on ongoing scourge ... grave safety risk apart from the impact of delayshttps://t.co/NNq4eGBp1Z#qldpol
More needs to be done @MarkBaileyMP @SteveMinnikinMP
Stepped up education and sanctions .. pic.twitter.com/LAc4BXnHNv

— RAIL_BoT_Forum (@railbotforum) July 10, 2019

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1148974823168602112

[ozbob]

Near miss bridge strike at Darra
Slammed anchors on last few seconds.
Ping @QueenslandRail@MarkBaileyMP pic.twitter.com/GAU3RnohuX

— ozbob13 (@ozbob13) August 8, 2019

[ozbob]

Bridge strikes - This measures the number of times vehicles strike railway bridges. Updated for June 2019https://t.co/NNq4eGBp1Z#qldpol pic.twitter.com/AqkgYoZIF0

— RAIL_BoT_Forum (@railbotforum) August 9, 2019

[ozbob]

Been lined up for an interview with 9 News later this morning re bridge strikes ..

[ozbob]

Dopey drivers are slamming into South-East rail bridges at an alarming rate with dramatic vision showing how bad the problem is, and Queensland Rail is now targeting one type of driver, in particular. @AlisonAriotti9 #9News pic.twitter.com/B30D3HVIRk

— Nine News Queensland (@9NewsQueensland) September 6, 2019

[ozbob]

https://www.facebook.com/1610342069289340/posts/2440780826245456/

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

7th September 2019

The scourge of bridge strikes

Good Morning,

Many thanks to 9 News Queensland for highlighting the ongoing scourge of bridge strikes.

' Dopey Drivers ' > https://www.facebook.com/1610342069289340/posts/2440780826245456/

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.  There have been two relatively recent bridge strikes, one in 2014 at Nambour ( https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/cherry-picker-causes-severe-damage-train-track/2149467/ ), and another east of Rathdowney in 2016 that have lead to buckled rails.  Should a train pass at speed shortly after such a strike, a derailment at speed is possible. Clearly, this could result in deaths and injuries.



Result of a bridge strike at Running Creek road, east of Rathdowney.

https://www.northernstar.com.au/news/hit-and-run-stops-xpt-rail-service/3097267/

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 bystanders.



Beam strike at Annerley Road Dutton Park. Photograph RAIL Back On Track Member brissypete 23rd November 2016.


RAIL Back On Track has been campaigning for action on bridge strikes for over ten years.

Queensland Rail does take bridge strikes and  bridge strike protection very seriously ( https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/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 stand alone system.

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

Best wishes,

Robert

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

[ozbob]

Latest: The scourge of bridge strikes
👉 https://t.co/hlD73E1gW9#qldpol@MarkBaileyMP @SteveMinnikinMP @QueenslandRail @TMRQld @QPSmedia @MarkRyanQLD @JoAnnMillerMP
Result of a strike at Running Creek road, east of Rathdowney 😮 Very fortunate the XPT did not hit this at speed. pic.twitter.com/CTQeRKKyvr

— RAIL_BoT_Forum (@railbotforum) September 6, 2019

[ozbob]

Facebook

The scourge of bridge strikes


  https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/2841319452548890

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/QueenslandRail/status/1170098079254495233

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 10th September 2019 page 17

Concerted effort needed to stop bridge strikes

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1171321868915097600

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

13th September 2019

Two bridge strikes today ..

Greetings,

Two more bridge strikes today around Rocklea.  Trains suspended on the Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines for the second time today.

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1172309056259649537

&  https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=13119.msg227073#msg227073

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1172376503981498370

Really is time that there was support for Queensland Rail and this scourge brought under control.

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

Attached:  https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=13119.msg226951#msg226951 &

https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=13119.msg227073#msg227073

[#Metro]

Would some form of cross hatching or cat's eyes on the surface of the road just before a rail bridge assist?