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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Campbell River Channel Assignments

South Island Channel Assignments

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

Loading Channels ChannelFrequencyTone LD-1A LD-1B LD-1C LD-2A LD-2B LD-2C LD-3A LD-3B LD-3C B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kilometre Signage B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects

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

VHF Radio Pilot Projects

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

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

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

 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 VHF Radio Pilot Projects

B.C. Resource Road 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 VHF Radio Pilot Projects

B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects DuncanMay 13Steelworkers Union Hall7 pm Campbell RiverMay 14Anchor Inn9 am and 6 pm NanaimoMay 15Best Western Dorchester9 am and 6 pm Port AlberniMay 15Best Western Barclay1 pm Dawson CreekMay 20George Dawson Inn9 am and 6 pm ChetwyndMay 21Recreation Centre9 am and 6 pm Public meetings: VHF Radio Pilot Projects

B.C. Resource Road Radio Pilot Projects