A bridge strike is defined as an incident in which a vehicle, its load, or equipment collides with a bridge. Most of these incidents occur where roads pass under railway bridges, hence why Network Rail manages these incidents.

The statistics highlight the continued prevalence of bridge strikes, the areas in the UK in which they are most frequently occurring, and the extent of the financial damage caused by them.

After every incident, the bridge needs to be examined to make sure the overall structure is safe enough for trains to pass over and vehicles to pass through. Any debris needs to be safely cleared, causing significant delays to both road and rail users.

In worst-case scenarios, the consequences of bridge strikes can range in severity, from serious injuries to fatalities. They can have a serious long-term impact.

Bridge strikes and the subsequent fallout from them are mostly avoidable, so we’re going to highlight the best practices and advice drivers should follow in order to ensure that they decrease the likelihood of one occurring, while also pinpointing how technology can help in this regard too.

The continued prevalence bridge strikes

Network Rail disclosed that 1,572 bridge strikes were reported across the railway network in the UK from April 2022 to March 2023.

Prior to this, in the financial year 2021 to 2022, Network Rail recorded 1,833 bridge strikes, up from the previous period’s count of 1,624. These strikes cost almost £12M to the taxpayer, and forced weeks of closures.

Below is a graph representing bridge strike figures annually, split between rail over road (underline), and road over rail bridges (overline), against HGV vehicle miles. It shows that whilst there has been some improvement in bridge strike numbers, there is still a long way to go to decrease their prevalence by a significant amount.

On an average day, the drivers of at least five heavy goods vehicles and/or buses put themselves, road users, and the public travelling on the trains at risk.

Research conducted by Network Rail found that 32% of drivers admitted to setting off while not being aware of the height of their vehicle, with 56% not considering low bridges when planning their journey. 

These statistics offer some insight into the reasons why bridge strikes are occurring due to drivers not doing their due diligence before embarking on a journey. It’s therefore unsurprising that bridge strikers are one of the most common HGV accidents in the UK.

The financial impact of bridge strikes

Their lack of due diligence comes at a cost too. 

Most of the vehicles that hit railway bridges are either HGVs or buses, which incur costs of around £13,000 per strike, and this is passed on to the UK taxpayer, costing around £23m a year.

There have even been instances where a single bridge strike has cost millions of pounds to repair. An A12 bridge strike in Essex that occurred in 2020 has required a ‘complex’ repair procedure that will take up to five years to fix, costing Network Rail £2.5m.

Two of the bridge’s beams were damaged as a result of an impact from an excavator being carried on the back of a flatbed truck driving beneath.

Network Rail disclosed that they are yet to calculate the total financial impact of bridge strikes for the financial year spanning from 2021 to 2022 and beyond, mainly due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the reduced passenger numbers over this period.

Network Rail has reiterated that drivers have to be cautious and follow the correct guidance at all times (which is outlined in the next section of this article).

“We know that most drivers are complete professionals and take safety on the road very seriously. However, we know there are also some areas where we could be better across the industry to stop strikes happening and give drivers and logistics companies the tools they need to help tackle the problem more effectively. 

Bridge strikes impact the whole transport network, and by working together, we can provide the right training and education for logistics companies to help them support their drivers, ensure that those who do break the rules are penalised, and lower the impact of strikes on the travelling public when they do happen.” – Network Rail. 

Where bridge strikes are most common in the UK

The question remains then: where in the UK are these strikes most commonly occurring?

Network Rail disclosed which bridges are in the top ten for strikes in the UK from 2021 to 2022, which they have dubbed the ‘big hitters’.

The number of bridge strikes over this period has also been collectively grouped by region, giving an indication as to which regions in the UK they more commonly occurring:

How to avoid bridge strikes

There’s an abundance of guidance on the best practices to follow in order to ensure that drivers educate themselves so that they take all of the correct precautions to avoid accidentally colliding with a bridge and incurring these costs. 

We’ve summarised the key bits of information from this guidance.

The overall consensus across the various official guidance offered by Network Rail, as well as Highways England, and the Driving Vehicles Standards Agency (DVSA), is that a driver is responsible for knowing prior to the journey:

• The vehicle’s height and width
• The route they should take
• How to correctly obey traffic signs 

Before commencing a journey they should check: 

• The security and safety of the load 
• The height of the cab 
• The height of the trailer, its load and equipment 
• That the correct maximum height is displayed in the cab 
• The maximum vehicle width 
• The route that they are taking

While on the journey:

• Check the route and guidance on any new routes being taken
• Obey height restriction signs
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Report any damages

Drivers should not rely on the information on the headboard, as coupler heights can vary, and report any discrepancy between the measured height and the height shown on the headboard to their Transport Manager.

It is an offence if the overall travelling height of a vehicle is over 3 metres and the correct maximum height is not displayed in the cab. The maximum fine for being stopped without a height indicator in the cab is a £30 fixed penalty fine for the driver.

Drivers also need to be cognisant that the height of their vehicle can change for a variety of reasons; through adjustment of the 5th wheel, with the trailer loaded, unloaded, or reloaded. 

All variables must be taken into consideration to avoid any potential bridge strikes.

The guidance strongly recommends that drivers invest in a HGV, LGV, and Commercial Vehicle-specific satellite navigation system, such as Turn, in order to provide safe (as well as compliant) navigation for drivers, and to stop vehicles from being directed down unsuitable routes. 

Systems like Turn have been specifically designed for these vehicle types, so drivers shouldn’t rely on typical routing systems, such as Google Maps, Waze and Apple Maps, which do not support different vehicle types and commercial vehicle settings. 

These systems will not direct the driver down routes that avoid low bridges and consequent bridge strikes, so commercial vehicle-specific GPS systems are advised.

Satellite navigation systems come with the added benefit of providing real-time route updates, so other factors such as traffic are taken into account to ensure the vehicle gets from point A to point B as efficiently and safely as possible, so there are numerous benefits to investing in one for professional drivers.

For more information on the subject of bridge strikers, here’s a selection of guides that offer preventative measures for professional HGV drivers, coach drivers, and Transport Managers.

They educate on how to prevent vehicles from hitting bridges, as well as what to do if a bridge strike happens, so they are essential reading.

Prevention of bridge strikes: a good practice guide for professional drivers 

Prevention of bridge strikes: a good practice guide for professional drivers of passenger vehicles

Prevention of bridge strikes: a good practice guide for transport managers

Frequently Asked Questions

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The post The True Cost of Bridge Strikes (And How To Avoid Them) appeared first on Stream.

With that in mind, here are their definitions for clarity:

• Route planning is the process of initially planning the shortest route between two or more points, such as delivery stops, which acts as an initial guide to the user.
• Route optimisation is the process of finding the most efficient and cost-effective way to reach these destinations by factoring in variables (some of which in real-time) such as traffic conditions, vehicle capacity, and arrival times. Meaning that the originally planned route may dynamically change.

The initially planned route is therefore optimised in order to get the vehicle to that destination (or destinations) as quickly as possible using software. 

Route planning is therefore inherently flawed, as it does not account for certain nuances that can hinder the efficiency of deliveries or collections. Route optimisation ensures that the planned route is travelled as efficiently and cost effectively as possible, generally enhancing the process.

Contextualising route planning and route optimisation

Delivery driver Jimmy, for example, may plan a delivery route that takes him from Manchester to London to make one delivery. Jimmy knows through experience that taking the M1 is the quickest and most direct route to the delivery destination.

During the route planning process, Jimmy uses route planning software which establishes this route down the M1; however, there are closures on the M1 while Jimmy is making his journey.

Route optimisation software alerts Jimmy to this variable and changes Jimmy’s route accordingly to use the A1 instead to avoid being stuck in traffic. 

Thanks to route optimisation, Jimmy bypassed the road closures and subsequent traffic on the M1 and managed to make it to London an hour quicker than the originally planned route would have taken.

Jimmy’s customer is delighted that he managed to deliver to them within the promised delivery timeframe, and everyone involved in the process is satisfied. 

In a parallel universe Jimmy didn’t use route optimisation software, managed to get stuck in traffic on the M1 and had to inform the customer that the delivery would be later than planned.

The customer was not happy and wouldn’t order from Jimmy’s company again as a consequence.

A table highlighting the key differences between route planning and route optimisation

And here’s a table summarising some of the key differences between route planning software and route optimisation software.

Conclusion

While there are clear distinctions between route planning and route optimisation, route optimisation ultimately evolves planned routes to boost operational efficiency and cut cost.

There are software packages on the market that include both, and will evolve your logistics operation too. For a more in-depth look at route optimisation software packages, read our ‘What is Route Optimisation?’ guide.

Ready to plan and optimise your routes to boost efficiency and cut costs?

Speak to one of our experts

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The post What are the Differences Between Route Planning & Route Optimisation? appeared first on Stream.

We’ve worked in partnership with Teletrac Navman for a number of years now.

Initially, we integrated with Teletrac Navman’s DIRECTOR product to bring key telematics data into Stream so it could be seen natively within our TMS software.

Now, we’re delighted to be the first transport management platform to integrate with TN360.

What is TN360?

Launched towards the back end of 2020, Teletrac Navman’s TN360 is:

“a ‘next-generation’ telematics and fleet management platform, which delivers AI (artificial intelligence) powered telematics functionality in real-time”.

These insights in turn, provide users with smart, predictive and actionable insights into their fleet.

Using it, businesses not only take advantage of all the functionality of TN360, plus the ability to access improved vehicle tracking and revised ETAs based on information coming direct from TN360.

Moving beyond GPS vehicle tracking

Stream’s vehicle and order location tracking information relies on mobile phone GPS technology.

Our mobile app for drivers provides that location data through the drivers device. In the majority of cases, this generally gives Stream subscribers with a good level of visibility on the the day of delivery with the ability to track where drivers and orders are on the run.

Mobile phone-based GPS technology, though, is never going to be as advanced as a dedicated vehicle tracking solution – or be able to provide telematics type information.

With systems such as TN360, you’re not only able to physically track that vehicle much more accurately you’re also able to capture and record a great deal of additional data.

This includes, not just the GPS information, but also recording information like the way that vehicle is being driven, the tachometer, the speed, and the way the driver is behaving.

By integrating with TN360, Stream users are opening up the ability to pull in much more accurate GPS information. As well as that though, the unit is plugged into the vehicle itself, so additional information that can be taken from the vehicles’ actual ECU computer.

The power of TN360 is explained further from their official press release published on their website:

“Traditional telematics systems rely mostly on GPS and motion sensors as they collect a narrow set of data-points, centred on location, diagnostics and routing. These systems process linear calculations and produce important but limited feedback. TN360 uses a scalable cloud ecosystem that connects data from sensors, cameras, mobile and third-party applications in real-time and translates raw signals into context.

‘Telematics platforms of previous generations – designed to eliminate paper-based reporting and processes – required users to spend an excessive amount of time analysing digital reports to identify opportunities for improvement. However, through AI, TN360 removes that analysis period for its users. It allows managers to take corrective action as soon as impactful outliers occur. The platform enables business operations to recognise patterns of efficiency to highlight opportunities in areas like route planning, logistic workflows, maintenance, driver behaviour, compliance and fuel management. It also has the ability to integrate with cameras, to give fleets the complete picture. Users can also quickly receive business intelligence metrics simply by asking a question of TN360’s smart AI engine with voice-command technology – eliminating the challenge of traditional data analytics.”

Why use TN360 for telematics

Stream pulls through a certain level of vehicle tracking data, which, for many subscribers provides enough information for their logistics operation. For others however, they require a greater level of vehicle tracking, telematics and fleet management information.

A dedicated platform, such as TN360, is constantly pulling information from the vehicle – and not just the location.

Just on that particular point, TN360 updates every 30 seconds, giving you almost-pinpoint visibility over driver locations.

In addition to the vehicle tracking data, users also have access to information and capabilities around:

• Tachograph and fatigue management, including the ability to download tachograph data remotely
• Fleet management so you can run your fleet more efficiently and profitably (especially when combined with Stream’s logistics execution capabilities)
• Driver ID and the ability to immobilise vehicles if an ID isn’t entered
• Asset tracking sensors, which are ideal for non-powered assets such as containers, skips and tools.

TN360 for transport management

TN360 enables transport managers to more closely monitor and manage their fleet.

As an example, where a transport manager suspects that a driver may have been speeding. Usually there’s no simple way to prove that, if the driver hasn’t been issued a speeding ticket (yet!).

With a telematics device like TN360, that transport manager can provide evidence of that in the form of tracking information. This could quite easily pinpoint when they had issues with driving speed on a specific day or a specific location.

TN360 for delivery management

From the delivery management side of things, because a dedicated telematics device can give you more accurate information, you’re able to access that information in real-time.

TN360 helps provide an accurate update, not just internally to your business, but also to the customer. Without having to rely on a mobile signal.

TN60 for driver performance

Driver performance is key to success for many businesses. There are two key reasons why organisations might choose to use telematics data over mobile phone GPS to assess and improve driver performance:

• Driver tracking “I don’t quite know where the driver is” can be a real issue for businesses that rely on up-to-the-minute visibility over your runs and orders. TN360 can give you that extra visibility.
• Driver behaviour For businesses that want to find out more information about how the driver is behaving, TN360 can help you to analyse driver behaviour, with accurate data and even driver rating tables, to see how well your drivers are performing.

Let’s say you’re a transport manager. You go into Stream and you look at the tracking information coming back and can see that a driver is delayed.

Whether you notice the issue through a customer phone call, or through your progress monitor, you can go into TN360’s system and delve further into what might have happened and where the driver was with real-time high-definition imagery of driver location, alongside information like location history and idling information.

From there you can really work out exactly what went on with that particular vehicle – and then inform the customer.

You can also use TN360 to do reporting based on drivers behaviour, fuel usage, or how well they’re looking after the vehicle. From all the information coming into Stream, you can get a much more accurate picture of your fleet as a whole, and also drill down to see any issues on a particular day or with a particular driver.

TN360 for enhanced tracking

For many Steam users, accurate tracking is essential for monitoring performance on the day of delivery.

As well as using tracking for your own reporting, TN360 telematics data can also be used to improve customer service.

Telematics data don’t necessarily need to be shared with customers directly, but customer service teams can access that information if, for example, they got a call from a customer looking for their delivery.

If the GPS tracking data isn’t up-to-date, you can easily click through from Stream to TN360, to get the accurate information coming back from the telematics device.

The post Bringing Advanced Vehicle Tracking & AI-Powered Fleet Management to Stream with TN360 appeared first on Stream.

Road networks

The strategic road network in England (motorways and some A roads) is governed by Highways England, with other roads are managed by local authorities, country-specific government agencies (Transport Scotland or the Welsh Assembly), or by Transport for London.

In the US, roads & highways are governed at the state level, with the exception of The National Network (NN). Also known as the National Trucking Network, the NN is a network of state highways and interstates designated for use by large trucks. The NN includes almost all of the Interstate Highway System and other, specified non-Interstate highways.

Any CMV driver in the US can use any road in the NN and all states must give CMV drivers ‘reasonable access’ to the NN. Federal width & length limits apply on the NN, overriding any state limits.

The NN is recommended for through traffic – CMVs are only allowed to operate on other (truck-restricted) roads if they have no other way to access their destination.

Speed limits

In the UK, speed limits are set according to national standards – they may vary from road to road (built-up areas have different speed limits to motorways) and from vehicle to vehicle (cars have different speed limits to vans, buses or HGVs), but don’t typically vary overall throughout the UK (though local councils are able to set their own speed limits in certain areas, the national speed limits remain the same).

The speed limit (both general and for CMVs) varies state-to-state and by CMV type (trucks/buses) (See pg. 12-14 of this document for information or this list). These varying limits do apply on the National Network – so CMVs crossing state lines on the NN may have to be wary of their maximum speed.

Size regulations

Size and weight limits for commercial vehicles in Britain are set by the Department for Transport and do not vary regionally.

In the US, For CMVs travelling on the National Network, the FMCSA sets the federal the length, width, and weight limits. Provided the truck remains on the NN, they are not subject to the state limits, however, when they leave the NN they must either be within the state limits for whichever state they are travelling through at the time or carry specialised permits for vehicles & loads over the state limit. More information about length, width & height limits by state here.

There is no federal limit for truck height, though states may set their own limits, which do vary across the country usually 13’6” (on the east coast) and 14’ (on the west coast), with a few exceptions up to 15’.

Stream Go makes route planning & optimisation easy by integrating with Google Maps’ API to plan efficient routes, and with CoPilot for truck-optimised routes.

The post Route planning in the US appeared first on Stream.

In the past, delivery tracking would involve aligning GPS data with clunky map software, contacting drivers to ask where they were, and old-fashioned guesswork.

But now that Stream Go is integrated with Google Maps, delivery tracking via GPS is viewable directly in a mapping system that you’re probably familiar with.

What else can you do with Stream and Google Maps?

Using the Google Maps integration means that Stream Go users can not only track deliveries using Google Maps, but they can also use the integration to plan and optimise routes, keep customers up-to-date on delivery progress, and navigate drivers all in the familiar Google Maps interface.

• Route Planning and Optimisation

  Stream Go’s Google Maps integration enabled the improved route optimisation options in the Advanced Planning module. When entering a delivery address manually, Google Maps allows planners to search (and accurately find) addresses by business name, postcode or even just part of an address.

  Planners can also view the map and the street view all in one place, so they can easily and accurately identify the delivery location. Viewing the exact delivery address via street view can help to negate access issues too.

• Customer Communication

  Google Maps also allows you to better communicate with customers. Live traffic is viewable in the planning screen on the day of delivery, so predicted arrival times are much more accurate, and potential issues can be communicated directly to the customer, minimising the risk of missed deliveries due to traffic.

  In the tracking screen, customers can view their address in Google Maps. As this is a format that is likely to be familiar to them, it makes it even easier for customers to spot and flag delivery address issues. More accurate delivery time estimates (thanks to live traffic updates) are also available to customers in the tracking screen.

• Driver Navigation

  Once drivers have selected their route in the Stream Mobile Driver App they are able to click through to Google Maps for navigation. Driving instructions are based on google maps, so drivers can follow live routeing from their smartphones (like a sat nav), in a format they are likely used to. Google Maps navigation also helps drivers to take the fastest routes, by updating based on live traffic updates.

Why Google Maps is a great way to plan and track deliveries

The integration with Google Maps has made huge improvements to the planning, optimisation and tracking functionality of Stream Go.

By using Google’s Geolocation functionality, addresses and postcodes are far easier to accurately pinpoint during routing. Google Maps offers the best coverage in terms of being able to quickly find locations and to convert from a postcode to a geocode.

In addition to the use of search facilities and Streetview in planning, Google Maps speeds up the process of Stream Go’s Advanced Planning functionality is by offering planners a mapping service that is likely to be familiar to them, as well as simply being much faster at working out routes than other mapping services.

Stream Go and Google Maps can accurately calculate ETAs based on live traffic updates, as well as on the number of deliveries on a route, and then track those deliveries via the app.

To learn more about Stream Go and Google Maps, and to see the functionality in action, request a live online demo at a time to suit you.

You may also like:

• 
  The True Cost of Bridge Strikes (And How To Avoid Them)February 1, 2024
• 
  What are the Differences Between Route Planning & Route Optimisation?December 18, 2023
• 
  Route Planning: How to Save Time, Money (and the Planet)October 25, 2023

The post Planning and Tracking Deliveries using Google Maps appeared first on Stream.

The basics of tracking page views and acquisition channels is only the tip of the iceberg – we all know that Google Analytics is powerful, and can give real insight into the patterns of your customers.

So why are many eCommerce retailers not using Google Analytics to its’ full potential?

Google Analytics can seem complicated at first, but tracking visitors and goals is absolutely essential, so that you know how you’re doing (and where to improve).

eCommerce marketing can feel like stabbing in the dark at the best of times, but without powerful data about how customers (and, more importantly, not-quite-customers) move around your website (and towards a purchase decision), it is impossible to make informed decisions about changes and additions to your site.

Our partners at Veeqo have teamed up with eCommerce expert Dan Barker to bring eCommerce retailers a Google Analytics masterclass, covering topics from setting up dashboards, to attribution, and user experience to marketing channels.

Whether you’ve never used Google Analytics before and you’re totally new to tracking and goals, or you’re a seasoned user and just have a few questions, Dan Barker has the expertise to help you succeed with Google Analytics.

The webinar takes place on Wednesday 22^nd March and you can register here.

Learn more about Veeqo’s integration with STREAM here.

The post Google Analytics Masterclass for Ecommerce Retailers appeared first on Stream.