Pavement Building System based on Detachable and Embedded Blocks

Project Information

4SBLOCK

Grant agreement ID: 745148

DOI

10.3030/745148

Project closed

EC signature date 5 November 2016

Start date 1 December 2016

End date 30 April 2017

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Smart, Green And Integrated Transport

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

INVEPAT GO SL
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - 4SBLOCK (Pavement Building System based on Detachable and Embedded Blocks)

Reporting period: 2016-12-01 to 2017-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Many streets of city centres within Europe are paved with cobblestones, most of them are in a very poor condition, as they are often easily deformed. The deformation causes uncomfortable traffic for both the driver by generating vibrations in the vehicle and residents by increasing noise induced by the poor state of the road. In addition, the problem is greater when it occurs in the sidewalks, becoming dangerous to public health and causing numerous accidents to pedestrians.
The objective was validating the 4SBLOCK as a new sustainable and environmentally-friendly pavement and to specify the requirements in the field of road engineering to guarantee comfortable and reliable urban mobility.
The project has proven that 4SBLOCK allows an improvement of pavement’s condition, lower repair requirements, increase the comfort for both pedestrians and drivers and increase safety.

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

To validate the 4SBLOCK experience, the following activities were performed: technical assessment and usability test, marketing and dissemination plan, IPR management plan and regulatory standards assessment and business model definition. The following results were achieved: over 72% of the load is distributed to the surrounding blocks, reduction of 59% in costs of maintenance operations, noise produced by traffic decreased by more than 23 dB compared to discontinuous pavements and risk of falls due to pavement discontinuities is practically eliminated. INVEPAT will be positioned as a consultant for urbanisation projects, with differentiated, innovative and protected knowledge, which provide a clear competitive advantage in the market with respect to traditional paving systems.

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)

4SBLOCK system is pedestrian-friendly when used on the road, reducing vehicle speeds and therefore decreasing the risk of pedestrian accidents in urban areas while also lowering the traffic noise, thus improving urban quality of life for citizens. It is essential to add the crucial factor of the city prestige value that its public spaces represent which directly translates into wealth, impact within the tourist exploitation and the local economic growth and urban renewal.
The company expects to create hundreds of jobs related to the supply chain across Europe promoting the inclusive growth. Other potential indirect benefits are the contribution to more efficient cities, fostering to social innovation, increasing of the environmental awareness and enhance implementation of EU environmental and security policies.

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