Creating forest sector solutions One vision Enhanced safety on B.C.’s resource roads A New Radio...

Creating forest sector solutions

www.fpinnovations.ca

One vision

Enhanced safety on B.C.’s resource roads

A New Radio Communications Protocol for Resource Roads in B.C.

B.C. Radio Communications Working Group

VHF Radio Pilot Projects

Increased traffic on Forest Service Roads

too many channels and confusion about correct frequencies and call procedures

interference with other licensed radio users and other operations

Excessive chatter and “forgetting” to call

Resource road safety issues:

B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

Why is a standard radio use protocol necessary?

To reduce incidences of crashes in the bush because somebody was on the wrong channel

To ensure that wherever you are in the province, you have the right channel in your radio

Both these incidents were loaded trucks rear-ending other loaded trucks in adverse weather conditions –both weren’t on the right channel as they were short term hauls, and didn’t get channels programmed into their radios. B.C. Resource Road

Radio Pilot Projects


Working Group formed to reduce radio-related incidents and improve resource road safety:

BC Ministry of Forests and Range

B.C. Timber Sales

BCMOFR Radio Operations

B.C. Forest Safety Council, Trucksafe

Industry Canada, Spectrum Management

FPInnovations, Feric Division

Developed a new communications protocol



Working Group proposed:

42 dedicated narrow band channels (14 frequencies with 3 tone codes)

33 road and 9 loading channels

low (5W) and high (30W) power channels

standardized signage

standardized call procedures



Two Pilot Projects:

Strait of Georgia Business Area

Tsitika / Eve started on Jan 1, 2008

Other roads in Campbell River, South Island, and Sunshine Coast Districts on Mar 1, Apr 1, and May 1

Tumbler Ridge / Ojay road network

implementation on June 1




New radio channels assigned over the landscape

Campbell River Channel Assignments

South Island Channel Assignments

Loading Channels

Loading channels are for communications between truck drivers and loader operators, during loading and unloading situations. They are not to be used while travelling on roads.

Upon entering a cut block, landing or sort yard the radio channel to be used will be posted along with the worksite operator’s company name.

The worksite operator may select any of the available loading channels providing it does not conflict with other users in the immediate area.

The worksite operator will be responsible for supplying and installing the LD sign.


Loading Channels

Channel Frequency Tone

LD-1A 150.590 114.8LD-1B 150.590 123.0LD-1C 150.590 131.8LD-2A 150.680 114.8LD-2B 150.680 123.0LD-2C 150.680 131.8LD-3A 151.670 114.8LD-3B 151.670 123.0LD-3C 151.670 131.8


Loading Channel Sign




Default Call Procedure:

Call frequency: every km traveling in UP and DOWN directions

“Must call” at junctions and other key points

Call order: Road – Kilometre – Direction – Vehicle type

Rules for convoy calling



Positive feedback from recent Trucksafe survey:

Province-wide standard supported

Majority favour “Up / Down” for call direction

Opportunity to fine-tune call frequency for local conditions

Changes should be developed and endorsed by a road user committee



Evaluate pilot projects:

Test radio signal strength for 5 watt channels

Canvass road users about signs and call procedures

Prepare supporting documents and recommendations for Province-wide implementation

Prepare training and information materials



5W channels tested at Tsitika-Eve and Ojay road networks



System tests included

¼ wave and ⅝ wave antennas



Radio testing results to date:

5W channels provide adequate coverage in most cases; often getting good audible reception at 7 – 18 km

Subtle ridges can create dead spots but hard to predict by visual inspection; may reduce reception to 4 km

Adequate coverage depends on topography and road geometry

Tsitika signage has been very well received


Transceivers: must be capable of configuring narrow-band channels, and 5 or 30 W output power

Recommend antenna specifications


Developing guidelines for minimum technical requirements of radio equipment

Kilometre Signage



New signage

“Old signage”



South Island District signs


OJAY pilot captures other industrial sectors using FSRs

Different types of traffic & road users




Steps to implementation:

Update local road users and road management groups

Review road systems and streamline road names

Delineate map polygons suitable for resource road channel assignment

Order and install “Km” and “Must Call” signs

Deliver information package to road users

The road manager will identify the “main” road and establish branch names and numbers.

The road manager will select the point of commencement (PoC) of each road.

The PoC will normally be the log dump, highway connection or junction with another FS road.

The kilometre numbering for each branch road off the main will commence at km 0.




FM Transmitters for public advisories at two sites: Port Alberni Tumbler Ridge Ojay

Two messages continuously broadcast: General road safety awareness Introduction to Radio Pilot projects



Duncan May 13 Steelworkers Union Hall 7 pm

Campbell River May 14 Anchor Inn 9 am and 6 pm

Nanaimo May 15 Best Western Dorchester 9 am and 6 pm

Port Alberni May 15 Best Western Barclay 1 pm

Dawson Creek May 20 George Dawson Inn 9 am and 6 pm

Chetwynd May 21 Recreation Centre 9 am and 6 pm

Public meetings:


Creating forest sector solutions One vision Enhanced safety on B.C.’s resource roads A New Radio...

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