Autonomous Rail Bridge Protection
Bridge Strike Guardian
Edge Processing
Real-time Alerts
Self-Cleaning Optics
Maintenance-free
The Need for Rail Bridge Monitoring
Rail infrastructure owners worldwide face a persistent challenge with bridge strikes. Across the UK, strikes happen an average of five times every day, delaying trains for an average of two hours per incident. With repairs and disruption costing Network Rail up to £1 million per hour in extreme cases, the case for automated bridge strike detection has never been clearer.
But it’s not just a rail problem. The UK has over 100,000 bridges across rail, road, and other infrastructure – all vulnerable to strikes that go unreported or take hours to surface. In the United States, more than 623,000 bridges face similar risks, with the Texas Department of Transportation estimating average repair costs at $180,000 per incident.
With existing supplier agreements for Network Rail and a clear pathway across the UK’s 9,000+ at-risk railway bridges – plus our established Trains with Brains® global network – we’re ready to deliver this solution wherever rail bridge safety is a priority.
The Bridge Strike Guardian is an autonomous, solar-powered bridge monitoring system designed to remotely monitor bridge impacts and rail displacement. By combining self-maintaining cameras with advanced Impact Sensor data, the system alerts key stakeholders with incident footage and rail data within minutes of a strike, enabling a faster, more informed response.
How It Works: A 3-Step Process
Key Benefits
Not just a collection of clever sensors – Bridge Strike Guardian is a system shaped by years of real-world asset monitoring across some of the world’s most demanding industries. An intelligent system designed by experts who know exactly what it takes to keep critical infrastructure safe.
Improved Safety
Receive an alert within minutes of an impact, allowing for rapid track closures or inspections.
Faster Reopening
Review incident footage and displacement data remotely to confirm structural integrity - without waiting for an on-site inspection. Bridges can be reopened safely in minutes.
Improved Reporting
View accurate discreet data of the displacement of bridge structures and rails, providing critical insights for engineering assessments.
Improved Visibility
Capture High-Definition video of every incident, complete with ANPR data for vehicle identification.
True Maintenance-Free Operation
Engineered for an average of 15 years of maintenance-free service, powered by solar energy, ultra-low power sensors, and self-cleaning camera optics.
Smart Asset Management
Name devices by Engineering Line Reference for easy identification, monitor battery health remotely, and set configurable geofencing to receive alerts only for the locations that matter to you.
Simple, Non-Intrusive Installation
Bridge Strike Guardian attaches securely using switchable magnets - no drilling, no bridge modification, no disruption to the network. Installation completed in hours, not days.
Bridge Strike Guardian In Action
Just 24 hours after installation on a busy road in Northumberland, the system detected its first bridge strike.
Our combination of cameras and sensors triggered instantly, sending real-time alerts to network operators. They were able to remotely assess the bridge and line for potential damage without dispatching a team to site.
Fortunately, this incident caused no rail-critical damage. But the next strike might not be so forgiving. Bridge Strike Guardian is providing vital protection, right now.
System Components
1. Impact Sensors
Constant accelerometer data ensures every impact event is detected, serving as the primary trigger for bridge strike detection and system activation.
2. Overview Camera/Gateway
This dashcam-like unit provides continuous rolling footage. Upon activation, it securely uploads the incident video to stakeholders via its built-in 4G/5G connectivity.
3. Displacement Camera
A camera system that monitors structural targets to record displacement with up-to-millimeter accuracy, providing vital data on bridge integrity.
4. Solar Gateway with Daily Check-In
The always-on, solar-powered gateway keeps the entire system connected and self-sufficient. Even when strikes don’t occur, it checks in daily – confirming operational health, reporting battery status, and providing up-to-date displacement data. You’ll always know your bridges are being watched.
Why Transmission Dynamics? The Power of Trains with Brains®
Bridge strikes don’t exist in a vacuum. They are one part of a complex, dynamic railway ecosystem where overhead lines, track geometry, pantographs, and rolling stock continuously interact. To truly protect your network, you need more than a point solution – you need a holistic view.
That is the true power of Trains with Brains®.
As part of Transmission Dynamics, Trains with Brains® is a complete, AI-driven monitoring portfolio that optimises the reliability of rail networks globally. In choosing the Bridge Strike Guardian, companies are plugging into a whole ecosystem of reliable, cutting edge intelligence and rail analytics.
With 30 years of industry experience and a belief that intelligence should exist at the edge of every critical asset, Transmission Dynamics has been transforming how critical infrastructure is monitored across multiple industries worldwide.
Find out more about Bridge Strike Guardian today
Whether you’re ready to roll out or just want to learn more, our friendly engineering team is on hand to help. Book a demo today.