Irish Rail to install cameras for bridge strike incidents

Irish Rail is introducing new “bridge strike cameras” to help reduce delays caused by vehicles hitting railway bridges. The initiative will start in Dublin, targeting the 17 bridges that experience frequent collisions. Last year, there were 80 bridge strikes reported across Ireland. This is a decrease from 95 in 2022 but higher than the 69 incidents reported in 2019. The cameras will assess the condition of the bridges after a strike, helping to quickly determine if train services can resume. The rail company plans to use battery or solar power for these cameras, which will require minimal construction for installation. The procurement process for the new systems has not yet started. A local Green Party councillor expressed support for the cameras but urged drivers to be more careful to avoid hitting bridges. He emphasized the need for more preventative measures against such incidents. Despite the drop in the total number of strikes, Irish Rail noted improvements in safety. In its 2023 annual report, it stated that serious incidents had decreased, thanks to technological upgrades like advanced warning lights in high-risk areas.