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Client: Newcastle City Council

Date of Installation: May 2008

Location: Newcastle, UK

Weigh In Motion system enables re-opening of the Newcastle High Level Bridge.

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Background

The Grade 1 listed bridge, built by Robert Stephenson in 1849, was shut to traffic in March 2005 for safety work which uncovered that major repairs were needed to the historic structure. With £40m of work by Network Rail complete, the bridge required restrictions on traffic levels and vehicle weights to be put in place in order to reopen.

In order for Rail Track to protect public safety and its investment in the bridge they insisted that road traffic would only be allowed back on to the bridge if it was protected by an electronic system to ensure crossings only by authorised traffic.

Solution

Clearview Intelligence devised and supplied a system with WIM linked to ANPR cameras (PIPS) so that all vehicles crossing the bridge are weighed and their number plates compared with a 'white list' which stores the details of all buses and taxis authorised to use it.

A photograph of the vehicle, along with it's number plate, weight and speed is recorded and the council is alerted if any vehicle crosses that doesn't fit within the parameters of the regulations. For example if its not on the 'white list', if any vehicle exceeds the 20mph limit or if any vehicle over the 3.5 tonne weight limit and is not on the bus 'white list'.

On site installation commenced in May 2008 and was fully tested and commissioned within five days. Tyneside's iconic High Level Bridge was finally reopened in June 2008 to Gateshead-bound
public transport.

Download PDF: Newcastle weigh in motion case study

Key Benefits

  • Preventing unauthorised traffic ensures proper, safeuse of the bridge
  • Extends the usable working life of the bridge removing the need for a costly replacement

Let us help you. Call +44 (0)1908 088008 or email us

“The High Level Bridge is a much loved local landmark, but sadly it was built to carry horses and carts, and was simply not designed to support 21st century levels of traffic. To give the bridge a viable future we have decided with our partners that there is no option but to limit the traffic flow. We want to extend the working life of the bridge for as long as possible, whilst also protecting this historically and architecturally important structure and improving public safety.”

Councillor Mike Cookson
Newcastle’s executive member for regeneration, planning and transport
Newcastle City Council

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