Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) on Friday, March 10 announced that it had acquired a multi-million Bridge Inspection Vehicle (BIV) for inspecting bridges and elevated roads across the country.
In a statement, KeNHA noted that the truck will enable its engineers to properly maintain and inspect bridges – one of Kenya’s key infrastructures.
As part of its new strategy, KeNHA indicated that its engineers and technicians were being trained on the use of the new equipment.
“The project, which is spearheaded by the State Department for Roads and stakeholders from all the Roads agencies, is aimed at ensuring that all bridges are properly inspected and maintained,” read the statement in part.
KeNHA’s new heavy machine is the Bridgemaster SF77A-IV which is manufactured in Japan.
The BIV has adjustable technology of 200 kilograms which enables the engineers to inspect under the bridges and elevated sections of highways.
BIV is also enabled by a corridor-type platform that lets the road technicians walk around as they work.
When on a flat surface, the truck can reach 7.3 meters high with the corridor-type platform extending 7.5 metres.
“This allows workers to get close to the area of inspection and check everything at once without having to set up the vehicle again, making work more efficient.
“The platform can swing to the front of the vehicle, allowing you to set up the vehicle or insert the platform without interfering with sloped surfaces,” AICHI corporation- the manufacturer stated on its website.
Given the complexities of the movements under tight places, the truck had a platform tilt warning system that detects the angle at which the vehicle is tilted, and displays whether work can be carried out at a fixed position.
“This system uses an infrared sensor to detect any objects between the boom and link, preventing contact in situations such as when the boom may collide with a noise barrier or the like when it is lowered.
“The supplemental holding brake system lets the operator apply brakes to all four wheels when working while the vehicle is stopped, ensuring your safety during work,” the company stated.
