Road workers working on a smart motorway project have become the first to benefit from the safety credentials of a temporary overheight detection solution.
The BAM Morgan Sindall Joint Venture leased the solution from temporary intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions provider, Mobile Visual Information Systems(MVIS), soon after its launch in September by MVIS and its partner, Intellicone temporary work zone safety system creator, Highway Resource Solutions (HRS).
The overheight detection solution is part of the partners’ work-zone safety portfolio, the first temporary road maintenance safety offer combining modular electronic perimeters and variable message signs (VMS). It is being used on the M62 and M1 J39 to 42.
One element of the smart motorway project involves the suspension of scaffolding beneath a bridge. The road remains periodically open to road-users, and therefore personnel operating from the scaffolding require protection from errant oncoming high-sided vehicles.
Signs in advance of the bridge direct high-sided vehicles away from the structure. An Intellicone Sentry Beam detects errant vehicles, activating a message on MVIS’ VMS-A variable message sign, alerting drivers to their breach and enabling them to turn round and find an alternative route.
Simultaneously, an audible Intellicone Portable Site Alarm on the scaffolding warns workers of the breach, allowing them sufficient time to reach a position of safety.
While the MVIS/Intellicone temporary overheight detection solution was originally designed to protect workers from errant vehicles in temporary ground based worksites, the customer identified its potential to protect bridge personnel from high-sided road user vehicles during its smart motorway project.
BAM Morgan Sindall Joint Venture stores manager Chris Hunter said: “Historically, BAM and Morgan Sindall have warned drivers of overhead obstructions via goalposts or “hangman” and clatterboard constructions. Neither were as effective as the MVIS/Intellicone solution at halting errant high-sided vehicles, and neither simultaneously alerted overhead personnel of safety breaches.
“The new solution has quickly proved its worth; within the first week, there were three breaches, all of which were quickly remedied as the drivers were instantly alerted and able to turn around and find an alternative route.”
MVIS’ managing director Pat Musgrave added: “We are pleased that our new temporary overheight detection solution has been so quickly embraced by the transport management market, and that it is already demonstrating its ability to promote worker safety.”
