Research into robots that can repair roads shortlisted for prestigious award
Robots that 3D-print asphalt into cracks in roads, before they become potholes, could radically change the way streets are repaired and increase quality of life for future citizens.
The technology, developed by Dr Bilal Kaddouh and colleagues in Electrical, Mechanical and Civil Engineering, aims to develop the way roads are repaired using a technology that locates and repairs holes and defects in the road surface.
Their work, part of the Self Repairing Cities programme, has been shortlisted at the New Civil Engineer magazine’s TechFest Awards, which recognises researchers who are developing potentially game-changing innovations, technologies or applications.
Dr Kaddouh said: “Our research and the technology we’re developing is a potential long-term solution to reducing the frustration of road closures, uneven road surfaces and badly patched potholes, so I’m pleased it has been recognised at this relatively early stage.
“By showing a wider audience through the awards and New Civil Engineer magazine the importance of what we’re doing, hopefully, people will see the benefits of long-term well supported University research.”
Our research and the technology we’re developing is a potential long-term solution to reducing the frustration of road closures, uneven road surfaces and badly patched potholes...
The project is designed to repair cracks that lead to potholes as a result of asphalt degrading over time. This will reduce problems that everyday commuters face, such as the potholes themselves and their subsequent road closures for maintenance and repair.
The project is designed to repair cracks that lead to potholes as a result of asphalt degrading over time
The project will be incorporated into real industrial practice to better cities for everyone
Quality of life is critically dependent on infrastructure systems that provide essential resources such as water, gas, electricity, and transport.
The robotic technology could increase the life of roads and reduce costs of road closures to carry out repairs, which are estimated to be around £1bn annually in the UK.
It was selected as a finalist in the ‘Research Development: Creating the future’ category for the TechFest Awards, which will be announced on 19 September.
The Self Repairing Cities programme is part of the EPSRC Grand Challenge: Balancing the Impact of City Infrastructure Engineering on Natural Systems using Robots.
Robots for resilient infrastructure
Dr Kaddouh and his colleagues are developing drones which can identify cracks in road surfaces and 3D-print asphalt into them before they become potholes. Eventually, this will reduce road closures, risks to operators, and costs incurred by commuters.
At the moment, the drone-mounted 3D-printing technology has been tested in a laboratory, and the mechanical properties of 3D-printed asphalt have been studied and compared to cast asphalt.
Next, its design will be refined to allow finer prints, optimising the asphalt-filling method.
Ultimately, it will be incorporated into real industrial practice to better cities for everyone.
In the future, it will contribute towards a vision of a city in 2050 where infrastructure is both autonomously maintained and dynamically responsive.
Further information
University of Leeds’ collaborative project to create Self Repairing Cities is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
The project aims to tackle the Grand Challenge of Zero disruption from street-works in UK cities by 2050 by developing robots that will identify, diagnose and repair street-works through minimally invasive techniques.
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