16.05.2019, 16:24
Warning Drivers of Floods
An intelligent flood warning system from SWARCO Traffic is diverting drivers from a busy, low-lying section of road near Aberystwyth that is prone to flooding.
The A44 Trunk Road to the east of the historic market town in West Wales is prone to flooding several times a year as a result of adverse weather conditions and its proximity to the Afon Rheidol river.
SWARCO worked with the Ymgynghoriaeth Gwynedd Consultancy (Gwynedd Council’s engineering consultancy), the Welsh Government, and the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent (NMWTRA) to design and install a set of four warning signs on the approach roads which provide a flood warning for drivers.
The solution is based around SWARCO’s bespoke hazard warning signs and incorporates an intelligent flood sensor that sends warning messages directly to NMWTRA’s traffic monitoring centre in Conwy when the system has activated. NMWTRA teams also receive a warning when water levels rise above pre-programmed norms.
John Lister, Senior Project Engineer for YGC, says the new system has significant benefits:
“The previous ‘bad weather’ procedure of regular inspections and then manually erecting warning signs was far too time consuming. Automated warning signage provides an immediate response to a flood situation.
“From a NMWTRA perspective, engineers can allocate their time more effectively. They can concentrate on other areas, knowing the automated system will activate as soon as there is a flood situation. Once informed, they can inspect and then erect the appropriate traffic management more efficiently.”
Derek Williamson, Head of Sales at SWARCO Traffic, says:
“Our range of hazard solutions are helping protect drivers in adverse conditions such as high winds and ice, and we have used our proven expertise to design this bespoke system for flood warning environments.”
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