The Softstop™ Barrier System solution was developed by Laservision’s government-endorsed Research & Development facility. The emergency response system was primarily designed for vehicle tunnels and has the key objectives of safety (prevention of vehicles entering a dangerous environment) and infrastructure protection.
This system creates the illusion of a solid surface that instantly blocks traffic. The Softstop™ Barrier System produces a pseudo-holographic image that appears to float in mid-air, commanding the attention of the motorist, making the “STOP” message impossible to miss!
Activated eight times in eight weeks, with 100% success!”
– Mr Bob Allen, General Manager, Sydney Harbour Tunnel
Unlike conventional warning lights, signals or signs that appear in the peripheral vision of drivers, the Softstop™ Barrier System is the only visual messaging system that appears in the direct view of the driver’s vision. Should the driver be unable to stop in a timely manner, they are able to pass through the wall of water. This soft barrier also allows for emergency vehicle access and the safe exit of existing pedestrians and vehicles from the tunnel.
The Softstop™ Barrier System was developed by Laservision’s government-endorsed Research & Development laboratories. Leading projection technologies were trialled in the project’s research phase. Air, water pressures and other issues were addressed in both day and nighttime scenarios. This testing was then followed by a week-long trial onsite.
The Research and Development phase included the following elements:
Additionally, a myriad of other fail-safe and pre-emptive strategies make ‘Softstop’ a highly effective, rapid-response barrier system.
While the Sydney Harbour Tunnel hasn’t endured a ‘major disaster’, precautions such as the Softstop barrier system are considered by the tunnel’s operator to be a key response mitigation strategy. Mr Bob Allen commented, “we average
around 30 collisions a year inside Sydney Harbour Tunnel. By far the biggest cost of these is to the community.”
Mr Allen commented that in one incident, “we had a fire in the tunnel; motorists ignored the warning lights and signs and continued driving towards the fire. These drivers exposed themselves to smoke and toxic fumes from the fire, and then to compound the situation, they turned around—in a one-way tunnel—and drove back out of the tunnel against incoming traffic.” He further stated, “this fire was the catalyst for engaging Laservision to develop the solution”.
In another example from Sydney Harbour Tunnel, Mr Allen remarked that “if we had Softstop at the time, and we had been able to stop that truck before it hit the portal, the incident could have been over within 10 minutes instead of two hours. Softstop would have made a huge saving to the community.”
During peak times, over 12,000 vehicles are inconvenienced by these incidents hourly. 4,000 cars an hour are directed away from the tunnel to join the already congested Sydney Harbour Bridge route.
Although Softstop™ gives motorists a confronting message, “STOP”, the product does allow for people and emergency teams to pass through without incident. The product is also forgiving for motorists who cannot stop within a reasonable response time. Once the traffic has been brought to a standstill a second ‘physical barrier’ is utilised. Once initiated the ‘Softstop™ Barrier System’ is usually on for approximately 1-2 minutes.
Mr Allen believes the Softstop™ innovation can be utilised across many other applications including underground car parks, buildings, ski tubes and mines. He suggested the product will be suitable in “any application where there is a need to prevent vehicles or even people going into a hostile environment, including accidents, fire, or the threat of toxic fumes.”
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