Bridging the Gap: How Advanced Safety Telematics Can Prevent Costly Bridge Strikes

Bridge strikes are a critical safety hazard in commercial transportation posing serious risks to driver safety and infrastructure integrity. Highlighted by UK’s Senior Traffic Commissioner, Richard Turfitt, the need for stringent preventive measures is more crucial than ever to safeguard both public and private assets.

Understanding Bridge Strikes

Bridge strikes occur when vehicles collide with overpasses, tunnels, or bridges—incidents that are largely preventable yet continue to happen with alarming frequency. These strikes not only lead to significant repair costs but also cause considerable disruptions to rail services and road traffic, impacting thousands of commuters and costing millions annually in delays and damages.

Regulatory Landscape

The regulatory environment is tightening, with Traffic Commissioners like Richard Turfitt of the UK, emphasizing the potential for severe regulatory action against operators and drivers who fail to take preventative measures. The consequences of a bridge strike extend beyond immediate physical damages, such as threatening the company’s license to operate.

GreenRoad’s Innovative Solution

GreenRoad is at the forefront of combating this issue through proactive safety telematics and real-time data analytics. Here’s how our Low Bridge Alerting System makes a difference:

• Real-Time Alerts: Utilizing tracking and proprietary mapping data, GreenRoad systems provide drivers with real-time alerts as they approach low bridges, allowing ample time to reroute or take corrective action.
• Smart Vehicle Assessment: Relevant alerts based on the vehicle’s height, eliminating false alarms.
• Data-Driven Insights: The solution provides fleet managers with detailed reports on safety incidents, offering insights into risk factors and potential areas for improvement

Recent Developments

Adventure Travel has recently equipped all its double-decker buses and over decker coaches with GreenRoad’s low bridge warning system. Activated on November 4, this technology delivers an audible warning to the driver when nearing a low bridge, enhancing safety for the operator and its staff, as well as the infrastructure. Read more about this initiative here.

Before this, Stagecoach and GreenRoad had partnered to roll out an ambitious nationwide low-bridge alert system to prevent devastating bridge strikes and further protect passengers and the public. The program, the UK’s largest to date, relies on GreenRoad’s unique real-time driver safety technology.

Impact and Value Delivered

Fleet operators’ adoption of GreenRoad’s safety telematics solutions has led to measurable improvements in safety and efficiency. By reducing the incidence of bridge strikes, companies avoid costly fines and repairs and enhance their compliance with increasingly stringent safety regulations. Furthermore, such proactive measures significantly mitigate the risk of reputational damage that often accompanies high-profile incidents.

Says Adventure Travel Managing Director Adam Keen: “Bridge strikes by high-sided vehicles remain a significant concern across the UK. We understand that good practices, regular training, and general awareness are crucial in preventing them. However, this technology brings additional peace of mind and acts as a further avoidance measure.”

To explore how GreenRoad’s technology can help protect your fleet and support your safety goals, contact us today.