Logan City Council (Council) has developed and implemented an innovative low cost Flooded Road Smart Warning System (FRSWS).

Purpose
To help save lives by reducing the risk of vehicles being driven inadvertently into flood waters and being washed off the road. Associated benefits include reducing risks to emergency services personnel by reducing the need for swift water rescues, and reducing risks for Council staff expected to erect temporary warning signage, often during hazardous weather conditions in the middle of the night.

Manufacture and supply
The system has been developed by Council staff in collaboration with Griffith University and Youth and Family Services (YFS) through their social enterprise, Substation 33. Council has approved a purchasing arrangement with Substation 33 as a sole supplier to Council. Purchase by other local governments and road authorities through Logan City Council should satisfy procurement requirements.
Council’s intent is to support the good work Substation 33 does for the community, rather than profit from the sale of the system to others.
The partnership with Substation 33 facilitates the recycling of e-waste. This adds an element of sustainability. For example the system uses recycled lap top batteries and 3D printed components made from recycled plastic using recycled 3D printers.
 
Innovation
Council has developed site evaluation criteria and weightings to facilitate prioritisation of sites which meet the purpose of the project. Council can provide advice in this regard.
The FRSWS project includes a number of innovative aspects including:
• Automated low power high visibility flashing words sign (“Road Flooded”) including specialised componentry.
• Low cost water level switch and housing.
• Wireless signal from float switch to signs (to activate and deactivate).
• Automated notification messages sent by both text and email when each sign activates and deactivates, including potential to update websites live, and associated potential to inform vehicle navigation systems through Open Data.
• Recycled components manufactured from e-waste including lap top batteries and 3D printed items.

Design options
The design has evolved through a number of versions. All are solar powered.
Version 1.0: with two flashing circular amber warning lights.
Version 2.0: using cables from the float switch to the sign with amber flashing words “ROAD FLOODED”. This version removes any risk a driver may not understand what the flashing lights mean. This version was installed as a trial at five sites in Logan.
Version 3.0: now superseded
Version 4.0 (current as at March 2017): with larger font amber flashing words “ROAD FLOODED” with radio communication from the float switch to both signs, and batteries capable of 80 hours operation with no solar gain. This model is the current standard adopted by Logan City Council and is being installed at a further 20 sites. See Functional Overview for details.


The presentation will include:
• a description of the event which led to this project
• the process adopted to prioritise sites
• innovation and technical challenges
• a description of the technology
• advice on how others can purchase the system through Logan City Council