Remote Operation of Mechanised Bridges

The Trust currently has 14 mechanised bridges on the Gloucester & Sharpness canal that are operated by staff for the use of boaters. Manning of these bridges is not only costly but has a number of negative impacts on customer service. This project has looked at new technologies that will improve both customer experience alongside reducing costs to the Trust.

A solution has been developed that will transform the navigation experience through an innovative design which offers a primary method of ‘Self Service’ remote operation to boaters.

Transcript

1. Gloucester & Sharpness Canal: Remote Operation of Mechanised Bridges
 Darren Parkinson National MEICA/SCADA Manager
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 Who are we? ➢ The Canal & River Trust is here so you have a place to escape. A place where you can step off the pavement, onto the towpath and breathe. ➢ We are a charity, and we are entrusted to care for 2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales which are often over 200 years old. We are responsible for an enormous network of bridges, embankments, towpaths, aqueducts, docks and reservoirs and more. ➢ Our waterway network is a national treasure. It makes people’s lives better. We’re here to ensure that it is protected forever.
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 ➢ 232 moving bridges of which 78 are powered ➢ 1644 locks/flood locks of which 81 are powered ➢ 665 sluices of which 35 are powered ➢ 80 pumping stations ➢ Over 600 SCADA sites ➢ 1 boat lift MEICA / SCADA Assets
4. Gloucester & Sharpness Canal Bridges Fretherne Bridge Sharpness High Bridge no change Splatt Bridge * Sharpness Low Bridge no change Patch Bridge Park End Bridge Saul Junction Bridge Sandfield Bridge Cambridge Arms Bridge * Purton Lower Bridge Purton Upper Bridge Gloucester Lock Bridge no change Llanthony Bridge High Orchard Bridge no change Hempsted Bridge * Netheridge Bridge no change Sims Bridge Rea Bridge * Sellars Bridge * G&S Mechanised Bridges 4
7. Inefficient, costly and inconsistent • 12 permanent and 18 seasonal staff - on site regardless of whether the bridge needs opening or not • Annual staff costs are excessive • Restricted daily opening hours; closed 2 days a week in winter – major frustration to boaters and limits economic potential of canal businesses • Bridges operate in isolation = no management overview of canal • Five manually operated bridges are slow to operate = delays for canal and road users What’s the current situation?
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 ➢ ‘De-man’ the bridges and replace with user controlled system, ie pedestal key operation (similar to other CRT canals) ➢ ‘De-man’ the bridges and replace with extensive CCTV managed system ➢ ‘De-man’ the bridges and replace with user controlled system – Using a hand-held smart device ➢ Reduce bridge opening times further and cut bridge operator numbers ➢ Charge boaters higher fees to use the G&S canal only, thus, raising income ➢ Do nothing (status quo) The Options
9. Bridges operated in one of two ways: 1. Self service. Each bridge’s has its own Wi-Fi hotspot, an app on the boater’s smart device allows a request for operation. 2. Bridge Control Centre operates the bridge if boater makes contact by phone, VHF radio or intercom at each bridge Current restrictions on opening times will remain e.g. traffic peaks; others will be developed using consultation feedback How will this work? Canal traffic light system will still be in place Bridges can be held closed for emergency vehicles and to ease traffic jams
10. To Gloucester Bridge Y Beacon to broadcast SSID name “Bridge Y to Gloucester” Bridge X Beacon to broadcast SSID name “Bridge Y to Sharpness” Beacon to broadcast SSID name “Bridge X to Gloucester” Beacon to broadcast SSID name “Bridge X to Sharpness” To Sharpness Example- Single boat request for operation Boat Trust
11. • Boater sends request via app to open bridge which triggers a preset sequence – boater cannot intervene or leave bridge open. Triggers from up to 400m away • Instant updates of bridge status e.g. held closed for road priority, ambulance, strong wind The app for smart-phones and tablets • Only boat licence-holders can download the app; download to several devices • App developed for Android, Apple and Windows for smart-phones and tablets • No mobile phone signal needed – the app uses the Trust’s Wi-Fi at each bridge 11
12. 12 Lasers on the bridge deck at road level
13. 13 Lasers under the bridge at water level
15. When the sequence is triggered, alarms alert people that the road barriers are about to lower. ... there are people or a car on the bridge when it’s about to open? What if .... If the people/car don’t clear the area, the lasers detect them, the barriers will raise and allow them to exit-retries 3 times. The control centre is alerted who can give instructions via speakers. CCTV will be recording the bridges 2-way communication with each bridge
16. ... there’s a small boat or canoe under the bridge? They’ll hear the alarms and should move clear The lasers detect anything larger than a canoe The sequence halts until it has moved clear If it doesn’t clear in time, the sequence would time out and the control centre is alerted ... what if boats take too long passing under the bridge or cluster together? The system is preset with a maximum open time, after which the canal light goes to red and the bridge closes. If boats obey the lights, this will break up clusters. If the lasers aren’t cleared in time, the closing is halted and control centre alerted; they can give instructions over the loud speakers, and record which boats are causing problems. When the area is clear, the bridge will continue to close. What if ....
17. Improved Customer Service - Extended navigation hours will boost canal businesses and the local economy Improved management - Overview of canal traffic and bridge openings from the new Bridge Control Centre, CCTV, SCADA and communications Significant cost savings of £500,000/annum which can be spent on improvements Why do this? What are the benefits? Control centre provides a new single point of contact for highways, emergency services, road and canal users
18. Faster bridge openings at 5 bridges which will also be upgraded: Sellars, Rea, Splatt, Cambridge Arms and Hempsted Bridges Why do this? What are the benefits? Could restrict boat licence evasion (only licence-holders can use the app) Instant detection and diagnosis of most faults CCTV records 24/7 Increases surveillance and security around bridges and roads
19. Thankyou & Questions Further information with questions and answers available on our website www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/gsbridges