Bridge Strike Prevention: Prepare and Protect Your Fleet
Low Bridge Strikes have catastrophic consequences for drivers, fleet operators and emergency services.
A bridge strike occurs when a larger vehicle, usually a lorry, fails to clear a low hanging bridge.
They have a widespread ripple effect, costing logistic companies and their drivers huge amounts of time and money, as well as causing major disruptions to local traffic and rail services.
Bridge Strikes: Statistics
-There have been more than 40,000 bridge strikes since 2000.
-1572 low bridge strikes occurred in the 2022/23 year.
-The most frequently struck bridge is located on Stonea Road in Cambridgeshire, which was hit 33 times in a 12-month period.
The Causes of Bridge Strikes
According to Network Rail surveys:
-32% of commercial drivers set off without knowing the height of their vehicle.
-Only 23% think of bridge strikes when planning their route.
-Only 31% have a truckers atlas with them.
What Actions Should Fleet Operators Take to Prevent and Avoid Bridge Strikes?
The consequences of bridge strikes for fleet operators can be enormous. Public enquiries may be initiated, resulting in negative PR, as well as extensive legal fees. Drivers who collide with bridges are usually suspended, causing repercussions for both driver and employer. Regardless of legal action, significant operational downtime is a guarantee.
In order to avoid bridge strikes, the first step fleet operators must take is to establish company policies.
Policies should include:
-Route planning that takes bridge heights into account.
-Measuring and recording vehicle height as part of the drivers daily walk-around checks.
-Training for new drivers as well as refreshers for current drivers.
-Companies should ensure drivers are equipped with a copy of the Truckers Atlas.
-Providing drivers with appropriate technology and equipment .
What should Bridge Strike training consist of?
Drivers should understand the dangers and implications of bridge strikes for themselves, their careers, and for other road/rail users. Training should encompass skills in route planning and awareness of height restrictions.
The department for transport provides four guides:
-Transport managers guide
-Professional drivers of passenger vehicles guide
-Guide for passenger vehicle operational staff
-Professional drivers’ guide
Find these guides HERE
Training and driver awareness establishes a strong foundation for avoiding bridge strikes, but does not cover human error, which is inevitable even in highly experienced drivers.
Parksafe Group’s Low Bridge Detection System
This Award Winning Low Bridge Detection System detects up to 3,764 upcoming low bridges within the United Kingdom and Ireland, using a reliable database that is continuously monitored and managed.
So how does this prevent bridge collisions?
When the vehicle enters a geo-fence (at least 300m away) from a low bridge it will alert the driver using an LED-enhanced and an audible warning system that automatically activates.
The hardware installed on the vehicle carries the database offline – so no data connection is required. Furthermore, it does not require driver input as this data is inputted to the device during the installation process.
As well as GPS vehicle location data and geo-fencing hardware, the Low Bridge Detection System also includes a display which is installed discreetly into the cab.
Parksafe Group’s Low Bridge Detection System is available in a quickly installed plug and go format, or can be connected to the Parksafe On Demand platform which provides instant, remote alerts and On Demand access to your entire fleet of vehicles 24/7.
In Conclusion: The causes, Issues and Effective Solutions
As a major issue with no one true solution, Bridge Strikes require a multifaceted approach to be implemented. Fleet managers and drivers can avoid collisions through a combination of awareness, training and technology. Whilst this requires investment, mitigating risk through these combined efforts can have huge long term benefits.