Transport operators, as well as road and rail authorities, continue to address the problem of bridge strikes in the main by constantly addressing driver training. Sure, they have also incorporated truck, trailer, and route information into their standard operating procedures but they still regard it as the driver’s responsibility to ensure bridge strikes don’t happen. Well, as the old adage goes, trying to get a different result by the doing the same thing time after time is the definition of lunacy. The frankly unforgivable average of 5 bridge strikes a day in the UK has not changed in years. So, we must be approaching the problem in the wrong, or at least not the most effective, way.
There is a right way.
We must utilise every technology at our disposal and share the burden and responsibility of reducing bridge strikes across all necessary stakeholders, not just drivers, as their impact (literally) adversely affects everyone. This is also an easy step to take, as a modern TMS captures all the requisite information as a matter of course anyway, and is capable of communicating the relevant information to any or all stakeholders in a timely manner to reduce risks. All the information that a driver requires - trailer height, width and weights, as well as the route to be taken, can be replicated within the TMS and, should any deviation occur or potential issue arise, alerts can be issued to all necessary parties. For instance, if a driver is ignoring warning signals in their cab, a manager can see what is happening in real-time and order the driver to pull over immediately so the problem can be rectified.
For those transport operators who already have the correct operating procedures in place, all necessary information (including real-time updates from telematics units) can be sent from their TMS to insurance providers, traffic commissioners as well as senior management and their customers. For that they will need the correct TMS, of course. Our own CarrierNet TMS can provide an environment where there is no hiding place for bad operators and set up a new paradigm for the transport of products that will negate almost all bridge strikes. And this can be done with almost no new investment.
If you don't believe your current TMS can deliver such an outcome, contact Bashir Khan here and he will show how CarrierNet will do the trick for you.