Innovation and research

Working with innovators to drive carbon reduction  

Background

In 2021, we set out our Net Zero plan, which includes a commitment to net zero emissions from construction and maintenance activity by 2040.   To enable this, we need to speed up innovation within our sector and adopt new solutions. The areas that we’ve been focusing on include material decarbonisation, building less, efficiently using materials, getting things right first time, making their assets last longer and driving change through whole life carbon decision-making. 

The initiative

In 2024, we teamed up with Connected Places Catapult to find innovative solutions for net zero carbon maintenance and construction in an exciting new competition. 

Ideas put forward included low-carbon fencing materials, recycling old concrete and using a unique climbing robot to carry out structure inspections.  

For phase 1, we selected seven SMEs to receive funding between £15,000 and £30,000 to develop innovative trial proposals in collaboration with us and our Tier 1 suppliers.  

For phase 2, further funding up to £80,000 was provided to support a selected number of these organisations to trial their solutions. 

The outcome

Asset International Structures (AIS) worked with Balfour Beatty and us to design a 6m Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) bridge beam, which is 90% lighter than concrete and has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 20% 

Circular 11 developed a structural-grade polymer composite from waste streams, with 84 tonnes of material diverted from incineration or landfill with carbon emissions reduced by 61.5 tonnes 

Net zero asphalt - powered by ACLA® - was successfully laid as part of permanent resurfacing works on the strategic road network. The trial took place on the M11 between junctions 7 and 8, with a patch of standard binder course asphalt laid alongside the trial patch 

PRG Scotland worked with JL (UK) Limited blending th Carbon Black with 70/100 grade bitumen, creating a bitumen with a low carbon-footprint without adversely affecting the performance  

For more information, visit the 'Super seven' companies competition page.

Finding pioneering ways to take care of bridges 

Background

Technology is rapidly influencing the transport sector. We know we need to keep innovating to improve experiences on the road, while getting people where they need to be, safely and reliably. 

Through our ‘Innovation’ Designated Fund, we’re looking to revolutionise the way we take care of bridges and other structures by hunting out new and innovative ways that would spot potential defects sooner. One of the greatest threats to bridges and structures on our road network is the corrosion of steel elements, which are often encased in concrete. 

Research had been helping us in the ambitious journey towards self-monitoring and self-maintaining bridges with cutting-edge technology and modern methods being sought out for testing. 

The initiative

The research project, Structures Moonshot, being delivered for us by the Atkins Jacobs Joint Venture, has seen us join forces with a dynamic network of suppliers, technology providers, and academic institutions from around the world, conducting trials of state-of-the-art non-destructive testing (NDT) technologies on sections of the Huntingdon Viaduct. From Acoustic Emissions to Muon Tomography, our exploration encompassed a diverse spectrum of cutting-edge technologies. 

The outcome

Better understanding of our existing tools and techniques has been accomplished with thorough, physical field testing, providing better confidence in NDT results and more efficient means of deployment. 

Phase two of this project will culminate in a free-to-attend conference in 2025, disseminating the findings with structures asset owners and the wider structural engineering community.  

The Moonshot project is set to continue beyond phase two, moving onto wider deployment of the technologies and new approaches on live National Highways assets, reducing network disruption through more targeted and effective inspections and testing that minimise the need for expensive and lengthy interventions and repairs.

Eyes in the sky

Going over and above to maintain our network

Background

In a ground-breaking project with Network Rail, we trialled new technology on helicopters to monitor the country’s rail and road networks.

With ‘eyes in the sky’, our teams explored how we could improve road and rail network management and maintenance, while also protecting our workforce by reducing the amount of time spent on physical inspections.

The initiative

Using a helicopter equipped with the latest aerial remote sensing technology, we assessed the UK’s road and rail networks, which are often in close proximity to each other. We trialled various technologies - hyperspectral remote sensor imaging, LiDAR and aerial photography - to assess their potential use in monitoring the condition of assets such as manholes, pipes and drainage systems. These technologies could also be used to identify faults or risks in our network to better plan and deliver vital maintenance and renewal work.

The results

The information gathered through this trial has helped us and Network Rail explore new means of monitoring and maintaining our networks, understand potential infrastructure risks, improve road safety and help to plan maintenance.

Due to the successful joint working through this project, our organisations are now working on plans for further trials and collaborations.