Future Roads Fellowships

Project Information

FUTUREROADS

Grant agreement ID: 101034337

DOI

10.3030/101034337

EC signature date 5 May 2021

Start date 1 October 2021

End date 31 January 2027

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 5 958 360,00

EU contribution

€ 2 979 180,00

Coordinated by

THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
United Kingdom

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FUTUREROADS (Future Roads Fellowships)

Reporting period: 2021-10-01 to 2023-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The FUTUREROADS project deals with key challenges in road infrastructure. Firstly, many roads and highways are getting old and need lots of maintenance and upgrades. Secondly, road construction and maintenance have big environmental impacts, so we need new ideas to make them more eco-friendly. Thirdly, with things like self-driving cars and smart roads becoming more common, we need to find ways to fit new technologies into our current road systems. Lastly, solving modern road problems needs people from different fields, like engineering, environmental science, and data analytics, to work together and find the best solutions. Additionally, the project recognizes the need for collaboration among experts from various fields to tackle complex road infrastructure challenges effectively.

For society, having safe and efficient roads means people and goods can move around easily. This helps businesses grow and makes it cheaper to transport things, which boosts the economy and makes markets more accessible. Using new methods in road construction and maintenance helps reduce pollution and supports efforts to fight climate change. Keeping up with new technologies in road infrastructure helps societies stay ahead, making them more competitive globally and encouraging innovation.

Overall Objectives:

1. Recruitment of High-Quality Fellows: Attract three diverse cohorts of top-quality fellows to tackle multidisciplinary road infrastructure challenges.
2. Comprehensive Training and Development: Provide induction and interdisciplinary training across all project areas, and offer transferable skills training for successful careers within and beyond the fellowship.
3. Best-in-Class Supervisory Teams: Arrange supervisory teams that align with each fellow’s project, offering high-quality guidance and support.
4. Inter-Sectoral and Interdisciplinary Research Experiences: Enable research experiences through short visits and secondments at partner organizations and international institutions.
5. Ethics and Compliance: Ensure all research activities adhere to high ethical standards and MSCA compliance.
6. Dissemination Strategy: Implement a plan to maximize the visibility and impact of project outcomes among academic, industry, policy-making, and public audiences.
7. Innovation and Practical Solutions: Develop sustainable, technologically advanced, and practical solutions for current and future road infrastructure challenges.

By achieving these objectives, the FUTUREROADS project aims to develop safer, more efficient, and sustainable road infrastructure, thereby supporting societal needs and fostering economic growth.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

1. Recruitment and Induction (WP1, WP2, and WP3):
- Successfully recruited high-quality fellows for the first two cohorts, with the third cohort currently in the recruitment process.
- Implemented a comprehensive induction program covering project introductions, sector challenges, and cohort-building activities.

2. Training Programs (WP4):
- Provided extensive training on research-specific skills, interdisciplinary methodologies, and transferable skills like public speaking and project management.
- Facilitated cross-disciplinary training sessions to ensure fellows gained a broad understanding of FUTUREROADS research areas.

3. Supervisory Teams (WP4):
- Established tailored supervisory teams for each fellow, offering continuous support and mentoring.
- Conducted regular supervision meetings to monitor progress and provide academic guidance, enhancing research quality.

4. Inter-Sectoral and Interdisciplinary Research (WP4):
- Planned short visits and secondments to industry partners and international institutions.
- Initiated collaborative projects between fellows, UoC researchers, and industry partners.

5. Ethics and Compliance Monitoring (WP5):
- Developed ethics guidelines and implemented an initial ethics screening process for research proposals.

6. Dissemination Activities (WP6):
- Launched a project website and social media profiles for information dissemination and online engagement.
- Supported fellows in publishing research findings and presenting at conferences.
- Organized workshops and seminars to disseminate research outcomes and encourage networking.

Main Results Achieved So Far:

1. We've recruited and inducted the first and second cohorts of fellows successfully, with positive feedback on the induction program. Recruitment for the third cohort is ongoing.
2. Fellows received comprehensive training, covering both research-specific and transferable skills, enabling collaboration across disciplines.
3. Supervisory teams provide regular guidance, enhancing the progress and quality of research projects.
4. We've started collaborations between academia and industry.
5. An ethics framework is in place, ensuring research activities adhere to high standards.
6. Increased visibility through the project website, social media, and academic journals has boosted the impact of FUTUREROADS. We're planning a major conference to further disseminate our findings.

Overall, FUTUREROADS has made progress towards its objectives, laying a solid foundation despite some delays. Continued dissemination efforts and engagements are expected to enhance the project's impact further.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The FUTUREROADS project goes beyond the usual approaches in road infrastructure:

1. We use advanced data analytics, predictive maintenance models, and sustainable construction techniques to improve roads.
2. Collaboration among fellows from different backgrounds helps us find new solutions to tough road challenges.
3. Industry partners work closely with us to make sure our research is useful in the real world. We've gathered 25 industry partners under the Research Roads Alliance, building on the experience of the FUTUREROADS Programme.

Expected Results Until the End of the Project:

1. We'll develop models to predict and tackle road issues, making infrastructure last longer and saving costs.
2. Our goal is to create sustainable construction methods, minimizing environmental impact and promoting the use of recycled materials.
3. We'll investigate sensors and real-time analytics into road systems to improve safety and traffic flow.
4. Fellows will complete training programs, gaining technical expertise and transferable skills for future innovations.

Socio-Economic Impact:

1. Better roads will boost economic growth by cutting transportation costs and improving market access.
2. New road technologies will create job opportunities in construction, technology, and maintenance.
3. Advanced maintenance practices will save money for governments and municipalities.

Wider Societal Implications:

1. Our solutions will make roads safer, preventing accidents and failures.
2. By focusing on sustainability, we'll reduce carbon emissions and environmental harm.
3. Improved roads will enhance travel time, accessibility, and quality of life.
4. Our research will influence public policy, encouraging the adoption of new technologies and best practices in infrastructure.

In summary, FUTUREROADS aims to improve road infrastructure through innovative research and collaboration, benefiting society economically and socially, ensuring responsible innovation, driving economic growth and improving quality of life.

Digital image of road used for publications, reports, deliverables, by the research group.