Wiping out graffiti

The challenge

We are on a mission to tackle the blight of graffiti by finding new products to remove graffiti but also potential solutions that will prevent the vandalism appearing in the first place.

Graffiti on bridges and next to roads can be distracting for drivers and the clean-up often requires lane or road closures, disrupting traffic. And it is costly – up to £10,000 to remove one instance of graffiti.

The competition

We launched a competition with partners Kier and Connected Places Catapult to identify new solutions for dealing with graffiti. The programme sought to award up to six organisations with £30,000 to design a trial of their technology on a road network testbed.

The technology could include:

  • Behaviour detection and analysis
  • Solutions to reduce disruption to the road network while maintenance work is being carried out
  • Visual deterrents
  • Surveillance and CCTV
  • Removable green walls
  • Anti-graffiti coatings and paint
  • Asset management solutions

The results

More than a dozen companies submitted their concepts and products. The five most promising are now developing their ideas. They will produce a feasibility study for National Highways to decide on the most promising products to take forward for use on the road network.

The five winning ideas are:

  • Audio sensors that will detect the application of graffiti to alert authorities and trigger audio and visual deterrents.
  • Artificial Intelligence software that will analyse behaviour to detect vandals at graffiti hotspots and then deterrents such as alarms and lights can be activated.
  • Wall-climbing robotics that apply graffiti preventative paints, reducing the risk of such hazards as working at heights for the workforce.
  • Using lasers to remove graffiti from surfaces whilst preventing additional damage to the finish of surface coatings and films.
  • A 3D chemical coating to prevent the adhesion of graffiti to a variety of surfaces and films.
Find out more about the winners
wall climbing robot
Pioneering ideas include wall-climbing robots, acoustic sensors and laser technology

Innovation theme

Maintenance
Operations

Imperative

Safety
Customer