A bridge detection system supplier and a training firm have partnered to encourage operators to combine structure detection technology with online training and bring an end to bridge strikes.
Parksafe Group, which provides a Low Bridge Detection System (LBDS) to reduce and mitigate bridge strikes, said it had formed a relationship with Road Skills Online after taking part in a training session to help its staff better understand the problem.
It realised that combining its software with education provided a more powerful way to prevent collisions.
Network Rail reported 1,833 bridge strikes between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022. Each bridge strike costs an average of £13,000, resulting in an annual expenditure of around £23m.
Parksafe Group said: “Independently, both training and technology are effective methods to prevent bridge strikes.
“However, training can be forgotten, ignored or misunderstood and technology can be ignored or brushed off. Human error or driving on ‘autopilot’ is something which is very hard to entirely mitigate.
“When combined, though, they can inform, support and reinforce one another,” the company added.
“If a driver has forgotten their training, being prompted by our LBDS will remind them of it. Equally, if they are choosing to ignore the LBDS warning, their training may make them take this more seriously.”
A Parksafe Group spokeswoman told Motor Transport: “Drivers attending Road Skills Online courses are encouraged to install our Low Bridge Detection System as an added layer of protection.
“Similarly, when we introduce our safety system to fleet operators and transport companies, we actively recommend they incorporate Road Skills Online training.”
Last week, an HGV collided with a bridge in east Yorkshire that has become notorious for similar incidents.
A spokeswoman for Humberside police said: “Officers were in attendance on Ferry Lane near to Stoneferry Bridge in Hull following reports of a lorry colliding with the bridge at around 3.45pm Wednesday, 7 May.
“Thankfully, no one was injured as a result.”
Earlier this year, Hull East MP Karl Turner called for urgent action to be taken by Hull City Council to reduce incidents at the railway bridge following a spate of incidents. He said current measures were insufficient.
