Between 1,500 and 2,000 incidents in which buses and trucks collide with low bridges happen every year in the UK, costing millions of pounds in repairs, traffic delays, train derailments as well as significant vehicle repair costs and service interruptions.
Network Rail has estimated these serious incidents to cost them about £23 million per year in inspections, bridge repairs and compensation for delayed trains.
Thankfully, forward thinking technology companies and training providers have come up with a range of alert systems and modules to help bus and truck drivers avoid such catastrophic situations.
For example, in partnership with Greenroad, bus operator Stagecoach has rolled out low bridge detection functionality across its nationwide fleet of double decker buses, equating to more than 4000 vehicles in a £4m project.
Using a simple traffic-light-like LED system on the dashboard, the intelligent GreenRoad system uses GPS vehicle location data and mapping services to alert the driver to nearby low bridges, in the form of an in-cab alert.
Also, XPO Logistics has successfully used VUE’s Low Bridge Alerting System (LBAS) during day and night distribution runs from its depot in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
The VUE Low Bridge Alerting System uses telematics to automatically warn a truck driver when low bridges pose a strike risk along the route.
The solution eliminates the potential for human error and stores data histories of alerts that can be accessed for training and documentation purposes.
It requires no driver input to install and operate, incorporates accurate predictive AI technology, has an algorithm which eliminates false positives, and is fully reportable.
Dan Myers, Managing Director – UK and Ireland, XPO Logistics, said: “Our joint developmental contributions to low bridge, trailer-height technology demonstrate how we live our values of safety, responsibility and innovation.
“We share these values with our partner VUE and are helping to refine their game-changing technology.”
Microlise Group recently launched an upgraded Driver Hazard Warning (DHW) offering, integrated with Flare’s alert system.
The DHW system leverages real-time data to alert drivers to potential hazards in their environment, including static and dynamic road conditions, vulnerable road users and weather conditions.
Key features of the offering are integration with SmartPOD, automating the setup of vehicle profiles to reduce the risk of low bridge strikes.
Microlise said the benefits include reduced operating costs and insurance premiums, enhanced awareness of local hazard hotspots, and increased 360-degree hazard awareness for drivers, lowering the risk of accidents.
Stephen Watson, Director of Product at Microlise Group, added: “Our enhanced offering aims to minimise both financial and reputational risks associated with road accidents and bridge strikes.
“The integration with our SmartPOD solution ensures that vehicle profiles are automatically populated, allowing for customised alerts that cater to the specific dimensions and characteristics of each vehicle.”
Traffic Commissioners (TCs) will also consider the culpability of operators and transport managers linked to bridge strikes, can call an operator to a public inquiry and can reduce, suspend, or revoke an operator’s licence.
Mindful of this, Parksafe’s Low Bridge Detection System (LBDS) sends real-time alerts to drivers if they drive towards a bridge which is too low, allowing them enough time to take an alternate route.
It works by combining GPS vehicle location data, mapping services and a pre-defined database of low bridge hazards which feeds into Parksafe’s real-time alerting system.
Alerts are delivered audibly via speaker, and visibly via LED panels.
Designed and manufactured in the UK, the LBDS can detect up to 3,750 low bridges and requires zero input from the driver.
Each of the entry and exit points in all directions of travel to a low bridge have been recorded and more than 10,000 points of interest mapped.
The system connects to a socket, and can be retrofitted into a cab to provide a visual and audible warning alert for a driver approaching a low bridge.
Liam Barber, Parksafe group sales and marketing director said: “There are a lot of implications with a bridge strike, not only the cost, but also having to sit down with the traffic commissioner.
“Drivers can lose their licence and companies can go out of business.”
Causes of bridge strikes include drivers going off the line of route, taking a shortcut or taking a double-deck vehicle on a single-deck route.
In response, E-Training World, which serves some of the largest fleet operators in the UK, has produced a new online driver training module on bridge strikes, focused on reducing the risk.
Using in-vehicle footage, the new module helps drivers recognise vital information such as low bridge ahead warning signs.
It also trains drivers on what to do in the event of a bridge strike to minimise disruption and damage.
“Drivers are either not concentrating, haven’t planned their journey properly, do not know their vehicle height or are willing to take a gamble”, said Jonathan Mosley, sales & marketing director at E-Training World.
“This results in a risk to life, huge disruptions and enormous expense.
“The height and width of a vehicle must be displayed inside the cab.
“But the height and width of a load may change the vehicle’s overall dimensions. If a road has been resurfaced recently, a bridge sign’s height may not be accurate.”
Meanwhile, Road Skills Online has designed a Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) recognised and Continuing Professional Development Standards Office accredited e-learning solution that delivers consistent, relevant and useful reminders to drivers.
These take the form of 15 to 20 minute Toolbox Talks once a month, accessible on any device.
David Somers, MD of Road Skills Online, which earlier this year launched its Destination Zero Bridge Strike national campaign said: “With serious impacts for businesses, reputationally, financially and operationally, bridge strikes should be avoided at all costs.”
Unfortunately, the possibility of drivers in buses or trucks colliding with low bridges is a constant challenge for the transport industry.
However, by investing in new technology and training, it should be possible for operators to greatly reduce the risk of such incidents occurring.
