Case Study: Quick Response with Sentinel Tracker at Fitzsimons Lane Upgrade
Project:
Fitzsimons Lane Upgrade, Eltham & Templestowe
Client:
BMD Group
System in USe:
Sentinel Impact Tracker
Timeline:
Mid-2021
Overview
As part of the major roadworks on Fitzsimons Lane in Melbourne’s northeast, BMD Group was tasked with upgrading intersections, replacing roundabouts with signalised intersections, and improving bus lanes and pedestrian access. The goal of the project is to reduce congestion and improve safety for all road users.
During construction, temporary concrete barriers were installed to separate traffic from the worksite. These barriers, fitted with energy absorbing end terminals, are essential for keeping both workers, pedestrians and motorists safe.
However, if an end terminal is damaged by a collision, it must be replaced straight away to maintain the barrier’s effectiveness. Even minor impacts can compromise safety if not addressed quickly.
What Happened
On the morning of August 2nd 2021, an incident occurred in the Fitzsimons Land construction zone. A vehicle hit an Absorb-M end terminal attached to a barrier.
The Absorb-M absorbed the impact exactly as it should, reducing the force of the crash and preventing more serious damage. But like most energy absorbing end terminals, it was no longer usable after the crash, and had to be repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
Luckily, the BMD team had already equipped the end terminal with a Sentinel Impact Tracker. As soon as the incident happened, the system sent out a real time alert, allowing the team to respond fast. The damaged unit was inspected, and repaired within hours of the crash occurring.
Muneem Alam, Engineer at BMD Constructions, praised the technology:
“One of our end treatments was hit and we were notified immediately. Thank you for your assistance in setting this product up on our project. It has saved us a lot of time and hassle and we are extremely grateful that the product has worked successfully.”
What is the Sentinel Impact Tracker?
The Sentinel is a compact GPS device that attaches to roadside safety assets like end terminals, guardrail systems, and crash solutions. It detects force from collisions and instantly sends an alert via SMS or email to the asset owner or project manager.
This gives site teams the ability to act quickly when a barrier or terminal is hit, without relying on public reports, or chance discovery.
Real-Time Monitoring and Tracking
With traditional setups, damaged roadside equipment could go unnoticed for days. With Sentinel, alerts are sent within seconds of an incident.
The system connects with a mobile app and dashboard, providing full visibility of each tracked asset. Features include:
- Real-time notifications of impacts
- Location tracking of every unit
- Installation records and maintenance logs
- Inspection and impact history
- Support for multiple devices and users
The Sentinel offers flexible subscription plans, with options running from a basic 5 user setup to more advanced 20 user accounts with expanded reporting features.
Workzone Solutions can help you integrate Sentinel Impact Trackers into your project.
Get in touch with our team to learn more.
