More height sensors to come up at underpasses

The OVDWS censors and the display boards installed in Gharaffa on the Shamal-Doha Expressway’s entry point towards Duhail interchange. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam

By Ramesh Mathew/Staff Reporter

All new underpasses in Qatar will have a height of 6.5m, a senior Ashghal official has said.

“Vehicles carrying goods or equipment up to the level of 5.5m could pass through such underpasses,” Yousef al-Emadi, manager, road operations and maintenance department, said.

Speaking at the formal dedication of the overhead vehicle detection and warning system (OVDWS) for monitoring the flawless movement of trucks through the underpass at Duhail interchange, he said: “The new system is the first of its kind in the country and more are expected to come up, especially on those routes where larger trucks are operated.”

The installation of such OVDWS sensors will impose greater control over trucks, protect bridges and tunnels, and achieve all mandatory traffic safety procedures on the road.

Since the bridge at Duhail was built a few years ago, the underpass there has a height of only 5.5m and only vehicles, which carry equipment and vehicles standing at a maximum height of 5.2m are allowed to pass through the corridor.

“The road operations and maintenance department is currently studying a number of interchanges in order to equip them gradually with the OVDWS,” said Ashghal’s safety head Abdul Azeez al-Sada.

The OVDWS will help Ashghal and the Ministry of Interior monitor vehicles that violated the maximum permissible height of 5.5m.

Any violation will turn on the warning sirens installed along the road to warn the driver of the offending truck and thereby avoid the risk of hitting the tunnel’s roof.

The sensors will be operated and controlled by the Traffic Signal Control Room (TSCR) at Ashghal.

The new system comprises a sensor, height detector, electronic board, and closed-circuit television. All components of the system will work together in order to detect trucks that violate the legal height.

Along with this a multi-lingual text message will appear on the electronic display board installed at the site. Simultaneously, the traffic signal at the approach shall turn red through TSCR in order to prevent the vehicle entering the interchange.

In case the vehicle proceeds ahead in violation of the warning orders, the operator at TSCR will immediately alert the Traffic Department of MoI in order to take steps to prevent the vehicle from entering the interchange.