A new method of protecting railway bridges from strikes by over-height vehicles is to be tested at the Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) next January.
Based in South Wales, the GCRE facility is a purpose-built research centre which tests new rail-based technologies to improve national and international rail systems.
The 700-hectare site conducts trials and experiments from major and start-up engineering and rail companies.
From across the world, several companies come to test their new ideas before any system is incorporated as part of the railway infrastructure.
This trial will consist of a Bridge Bouncer designed by The Rail and Station Innovation Company (Rasic).
The system to be trialled will be able to detect over-height vehicles approaching a low railway bridge using sensors and turn on advanced roadside warning lights to warn any driver that they will not be able to pass under an upcoming bridge.
Preparation for the First Of A Kind (FOAK) trial, which is being funded by the Department for Transport, has already begun, with testing due to start in early 2026.
Following a trial period, depending on its success, the system could be rolled out nationwide, not just in the UK but on other railway systems across the globe.
Each year, approximately 1,800 bridge strikes occur in the UK, each one causing delays to both rail and road transport, with a total annual cost of £150 million spent on repairing bridges that have been struck by over-height vehicles.
This trial is part of an overall competition which focuses on four categories: train interfaces, bridge strikes, AI adoption for complex processes and personal safety. The overall winner will receive funding to develop the technology further or begin a rollout of the system with industry supporters.
“It’s fantastic to be working with Rasic and providing testing facilities for their innovative Bridge Bouncer system.
The impact of bridge strikes on road users, the highway network, police and rail operators like Network Rail is very significant, with real world economic costs every single week. Its great to see creative teams like Rasic taking on the challenge of solving the problem.
By working with the Rasic team, we’re able to provide facilities for innovation to help accelerate the testing and development of this idea as part of the First of a kind programme.”
GCRE Director of Strategy and Skills, Rob Forde
Responses
Doesn’t the offending driver’s insurance stump up for the repairs?
DfT have also missed the point that if an oncoming lorry is obstructing the sign or the sun is shining in the “wrong” direction, therefore the sign is not effective. IMHO, one of the important actions is an almighty LOT of RED traffic lights type of displays — whereby the driver will shout out aloud in their cab “F*** Me what´s that all about” !
Display the logo on the matrix…But have it holding a baseball bat………..
Probably still won’t stop them all.
How’s about an automated stinger in addition……..
-of those rising road barriers
There are already plenty of these type of warning systems in place all over the UK, it is not the first of it’s kind and one that I know of in Burnley has been in place for around 40 years. The question is why is the Department for Transport funding this, when there is already the same solution is place. The real reason for most wagon strikes is that the wagon is being drive by someone using a sat nav or phone which does not have a setting for bridge highs and the drive just carries on blissfully unaware.
Weak journalism presented here and I’m disappointed :-
Is this a TRIAL or a TRAIL (reported assert the latter above).
Now, I have to question is this GENUINELY “First Of A Kind” ?
There’s been a similar advance warning for twenty years or more on approaches to a low railway bridge over the A41 between Aylesbury and Bicester (just south of Bicester).
Hum …….
(Correcting my own typo above with apologies :-
“reporter asserts the latter above”)