The project will end with the implementation of the Road Intelligent Platform, which will integrate a wide portfolio of state-of-the-art technologies:
1. Advanced technologies for road inspection and user support: A series of technologies are developed for the road infrastructures inspection. On one hand, UAV inspection technologies are developed focusing on the infrastructure assets such as bridges and tunnels, developing coordinated flights of multiple UAVs and flights covering long ranges. On the other hand, vehicle inspection technologies are developed to inspect road pavement developing an inspection vehicle with new sensor combination and automating the road auscultation review process. The information from both inspection sources can be used for road maintenance and user support through the V2I and I2V communication developments and it is as well integrated in the digital twin.
2. Core technologies for robot-assisted road interventions: A modular robotic platform consisting of an autonomously robotic system mounted on a mobile vehicle is developed to assist on the maintenance intervention processes. The platform will be able to act on emergency, ordinary and extraordinary actions for the following tasks: installation and replacement of safety barriers, installation of signalling by safety cones, cleaning of lighting and vertical signals, installation of signalling during construction works, removal of horizontal marks and sealing of pavement cracks. On addition to the platform, virtual reality and augment reality tools are developed for the platform teleoperation and road workers assistance and training.
3. Smart technologies for road design construction: The project develops enhanced modular solutions for pre-manufactured bridges by analysing similar technologies, performing experimental campaigns and the application of numerical models and tools.
4. Road digital twin and decision support system: The information provided by the OMICRON technologies and legacy systems is to be integrated in the digital twin creating a customised virtual representation of the real-world assets providing access to real-time data. The decision support tool will integrate with the digital twin, achieving predictive maintenance through infrastructure condition analysis and asset management plan optimisation.
Once this project is implemented, it will impact the road management by improving safety, comfort, and road capacity, reducing costs, traffic disruptions and accidents. The project also has a series of environmental objectives, improving efficiency, using sustainable techniques and materials and reducing emissions. All these socioeconomic and environmental impacts will derive from the project results implementation. At this stage of the project progress, the most relevant impact is the technical and scientific developments made beyond the state of the art for the different technologies previously described.
