The driver of an oversize vehicle has heeded the warnings on a Sydney tunnel, after sensors detected that it was over-height.
On approach to the tunnel, the sensors triggered flashing lights and a warning on the message board reading ‘STOP’.
Trucks taller than four metres are scanned as they pass under the sensor, and their height and number plate information is then gathered and instantaneously displayed to drivers on the overhead Variable Message Sign (VMS) to warn the driver.
If needed, the sensors can even initiate the tunnel closure process to prevent damage to the infrastructure – and the truck.
“After this our staff work to coordinate a safe turnaround,” said Transport for NSW (TfNSW). “This could require a tunnel closure in the opposite direction and a short-term lane closure.”
After this, TfNSW staff work to help restore traffic flow to normal.
Thankfully on this occasion the driver saw the warnings and stopped in time.
TfNSW says this crackdown, combined with the work of the industry wide Overheight Truck Taskforce (launched in June 2023) has resulted in a dramatic drop in over height incidents in Sydney tunnels.
“In the first six months of the taskforce’s operation (July to December 2023) there was a 67 per cent decrease in total closure time minutes and a 32 per cent reduction in incidents, the lowest level in seven years,” said a TfNSW spokesperson.
“Over the same period, the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, the most disrupted route, saw an 80 per cent reduction in closure minutes and a 58 per cent reduction in incidents.”
The TfNSW spokesperson continued, “The reduction in incidents has continued across the network, with 57 recorded overheight incidents between March 2024 and February 2025, 44.1 per cent fewer than the previous 12 month period. This includes a further 32 per cent decrease in incidents for the Sydney Harbour Tunnel and a 70 per cent decrease for the M5 East Tunnel.”