Remote Monitoring Protects Critical Roadside Infrastructure in Remote Queensland
Protecting Essential Culverts in Challenging Conditions
Protecting Essential Culverts in Challenging Conditions
In Far North Queensland, Australia, roadside culverts play a vital role in maintaining road safety and drainage. However, these structures face constant exposure to harsh environmental conditions, including seasonal flooding and monsoonal weather, making corrosion a significant risk. To help local authorities extend the lifespan of a remote culvert, Omniflex partnered with corrosion consultancy Infracorr to deliver a bespoke impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) monitoring and control solution.
A Solution for Remote Locations
The culvert site was located several hours from the nearest town and had no access to mains power or cellular coverage. Traditional remote monitoring systems were therefore unsuitable, while routine site inspections would have been both costly and difficult due to frequent flooding and limited accessibility. To overcome these challenges, Omniflex designed a fully solar-powered ICCP system with satellite communications, enabling continuous remote monitoring and control without requiring regular site visits.
Reliable Monitoring and Control
The solution incorporates two solar-powered transformer/rectifiers and a Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) that monitors and controls cathodic protection performance using four reference electrodes installed around the culvert. Data is transmitted via satellite to Omniflex’s Data2Desktop platform, allowing local authorities to access real-time performance information, adjust protection set points, and monitor solar generation and battery health from any location.
Built for Harsh Environments
Given the site’s remoteness, vandalism was also considered during the design phase. To minimise risk, the ICCP equipment was installed at the top of a pole beneath the solar panels, while the batteries were securely housed underground in a waterproof enclosure.
Extending Infrastructure Life
With previous galvanic anodes unable to provide sufficient protection, the new ICCP system delivers reliable corrosion control while giving authorities clear visibility of system performance. The project demonstrates how remote monitoring technology can help protect critical infrastructure in even the most isolated and challenging environments. Omniflex continues to support cathodic protection projects in hazardous and hard-to-reach locations, helping asset owners improve reliability, reduce maintenance costs and extend infrastructure life.
