The safety and cost benefits of ELV for ITS field equipment
Grant Saunders & Hamid Torfeh Nejad
GHD, New South Wales
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ABSTRACT
With the increase of Managed Motorways Corridors and the State Roads and Metropolitan ITS strategic plans, ITS field equipment installation is increasing. A critically important factor is the use of Low Voltage (230 VAC) for the fixed wiring of the ITS hardware in the field, systems such as and not limited to the following ITS asset classes:
- Traffic Signals
- Variable Message Signs
- Variable Speed Limit Signs
- Lane Control Signs
- Weather Stations
- Counting and Classification Systems
The use of this dangerous 230 VAC low voltage in an outside extended road-side environment contributes towards a far greater electrical safety issue that affects both the motorist, the public, and the maintainers of these ITS assets. These risks present themselves around the risk of electrocution, fire, vehicle collision, and touch potential in the event of electrical fault by members of the public at traffic signals and other ITS structures. In addition to these potential safety incidents, a far greater risk is also presented to these assets' installation and maintenance staff when doing hot-swap or specific electrical works.
The purpose of this paper is to present far safer voltage and wiring options that align with AS3000 in the form of ELV (Extra Low Voltage).
The voltage we present runs from ELV 24 to 48 VDC, where equipment selection alternatives are readily available within the current manufacturing and supply chain eliminating the danger of electrocution and other incidents related to most known fatalities.
We discuss actual case studies using ELV approved design solutions within these various ITS assets. These solutions are used widely across the international arena and have a proven track record in eliminating major electrical safety issues whilst providing the following benefits:
- Eliminating the risk of LV electrocution in vehicle crash incidents
- Eliminating the electrocution of technical staff during installation and maintenance
- A far more cost-effective and wider maintenance team made up of both communications and electrical resources.
- A less onerous system of safe work procedures due to the removal of 230 VAC electrical safety management at these edges ITS devices
Author(s)
Grant Saunders | GHD
Grant Saunders brings a depth of over 35 years’ experience gained in Australia and internationally (ME, UK, NZ, South Africa, and Qatar) with a proven track record in Government and Private sectors. He led the delivery for four of the largest ITS Managed Motorway (Expressway) for World Cup FIFA. His management experience covers Project Directorship, Technical Directorship, senior design, technical delivery, contract, installation and commissioning. Grant’s technical experience serves the vast array of ITS/STS, electrical, tunnels SCADA, ATMS software, Fibre to microwave WAN/LAN, CCTV surveillance systems, communications networks and technical security systems for road, rail, ports, airports and smart cities.
PCBE Certified Broadband Microwave Engineering Accreditation, ECFD- I Certified Fibre designer and Installation Engineer, BICSI Outside Plant Design and Installation Certification, Cert1V in OHS Construction Safety Management, Cert 111 in Technical Security Design and Installation. ACMA Communications Master License and Registration all categories. BICSI Registration.
Hamid Torfeh Nejad | GHD
Hamid Torfeh Nejad, GHD, NSW, ITS Specialist
PhD, Electronic; Master and Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication Engineering.
Hamid has 20 year’s experience developed overseas and Australia and played a vital role in developing ITS plans. He has led consulting, advising, concept and detail design, tender negotiation, strategic planning and research engineering on different projects. His background covers the telecommunications, electrical and technical sectors. Hamid has also contributed to the research realm through projects, transport modelling, ITS design, and ITS asset audit and verification within Australia. He is proficient in troubleshooting LAN/WAN technologies, IT and network infrastructures, AIMSUN, and Python programming. His portfolio demonstrates a passion and concentration on smart mobility systems and their associated technologies.
