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

B.C. Radio Communications Working Group. A New Radio Communications Protocol for Resource Roads in B.C. One vision Enhanced safety on B.C.’s resource roads. VHF Radio Pilot Projects . Resource road safety issues:. Increased traffic on Forest Service Roads

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

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  1. B.C. Radio Communications Working Group A New Radio Communications Protocol for Resource Roads in B.C. One vision Enhanced safety on B.C.’s resource roads

  2. VHF Radio Pilot Projects Resource road safety issues: • 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 B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

  3. 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

  4. VHF 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 B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

  5. VHF Radio Pilot Projects 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 B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

  6. VHF Radio Pilot Projects 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 B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

  7. VHF Radio Pilot Projects New radio channels assigned over the landscape B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

  8. Campbell River Channel Assignments

  9. South Island Channel Assignments

  10. 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. B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

  11. Loading Channels B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

  12. Loading Channel Sign VHF Radio Pilot Projects B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

  13. VHF Radio Pilot Projects 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 B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

  14. VHF Radio Pilot Projects Opportunity to fine-tune call frequency for local conditions Changes should be developed and endorsed by a road user committee Positive feedback from recent Trucksafe survey: • Province-wide standard supported • Majority favour “Up / Down” for call direction B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

  15. VHF Radio Pilot Projects 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 B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

  16. VHF Radio Pilot Projects 5W channels tested at Tsitika-Eve and Ojay road networks B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

  17. VHF Radio Pilot Projects System tests included ¼ wave and ⅝ wave antennas B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

  18. VHF Radio Pilot Projects 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

  19. VHF Radio Pilot Projects Developing guidelines for minimum technical requirements of radio equipment • Transceivers: must be capable of configuring narrow-band channels, and 5 or 30 W output power • Recommend antenna specifications B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

  20. Kilometre Signage B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

  21. VHF Radio Pilot Projects New signage “Old signage” B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

  22. VHF Radio Pilot Projects

  23. VHF Radio Pilot Projects South Island District signs B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

  24. VHF Radio Pilot Projects • OJAY pilot captures other industrial sectors using FSRs • Different types of traffic & road users B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

  25. VHF Radio Pilot Projects 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

  26. VHF Radio Pilot Projects • 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. B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

  27. VHF Radio Pilot Projects 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 B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

  28. VHF Radio Pilot Projects Public meetings: B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

  29. B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

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