Periodic Reporting for period 1 - InfraROB (Maintaining integrity, performance and safety of the road infrastructure through autonomous robotized solutions and modularization)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2021-09-01 al 2023-02-28
InfraROB aims to reduce workers’ exposure to live traffic and construction machines, increase the availability of the transport network, reduce the cost of repetitive tasks and increase the safety of road users by promoting significant advances in automating, robotising and modularizing the construction, upgrade and maintenance of the road infrastructure.
Even though much has been done by the EC to improve safety of road users, the need to improve safety of both construction workers and road users in relation to work zone areas remains a priority, as on a country-based average, 4% of accidents take place in work zones.
Even though much has been done by the EC to improve safety of road users, the need to improve safety of both construction workers and road users in relation to work zone areas remains a priority, as on a country-based average, 4% of accidents take place in work zones.
(TA: Technological Area)
TA1: Autonomous robotized machinery for construction, upgrade or large maintenance interventions. A literature review of European paving techniques has been conducted (TUDa) to identify relevant paving parameters for asphalt (D.1.1) supported by a multi-step laboratory program. This information helps on the development of a sensor and control system (MOBA). All components and functions to control the paver autonomously have been analysed. A safety concept has been designed aligned to the regulation. A requirements analysis of FOS (fiber optic sensors) for long-term condition monitoring (RINA-C) has been performed. A testing campaign has been defined. Analysis of the requirements for asphalt sample preparation have been performed (BRUSSI). To integrate these sensors into the pavement, a draft of the design for a device able to carry several hundred meters of cable has been created (THKöln). Electric actuators are considered to improve the precision of the paver. The developments have been tested under real conditions (TPA in cooperation with STRABAG). A test site as dedicated field trial has been designed.
TA2: Autonomous robotized machinery for the routine or periodic maintenance of the pavement. An autonomous robotized head to repair potholes and cracks in asphalt is developed (AIPSS and LTPs). A study of repairing mixtures has been performed (D.3.1). An extruder has been designed and tested (CTL-Sapienza, contributions UNIROMATRE and AIPSS). The design of the printer is available (AIPSS, contributions UNIROMATRE).
Besides, the first prototype for an autonomously-working line marking robot has been designed (D.3.2 TMR).
TA3: Modularization of road construction/upgrade through industrial prefabrication. The element mould of a safety barrier has been designed (NTS, D.2.1). An assessment of mechanical requirements/exposure class has been performed. The adequate materials have been selected, a testing protocol has been defined and a cost calculation has been performed.
TA4: Collaborative operation of safety cone robots and RPAS for work zone segmentation and signaling. A high level design has been performed (UVIGO) supported by a concept of operation for work zone monitoring and segmentation. A requirements analysis has led to a low-level design of all hardware and software elements (D.3.8 &3.9).
TA5: Upgrading of Management Systems to ensure safer operations and maintenance. The deployment of an IT platform for the InfraROB solutions (INSITU) is designed. Data flow diagrams and interfaces have been defined. The database and communication interfaces have been designed. Required inputs for the BIM/DT model to be developed (RINA-C) have been identified. ASFINAG has defined the infrastructure elements for TMS along the demonstration sites and has developed the technical strategy. The Pavement Management System (PMS) structure and workflow have been developed (UMINHO) and information requirements have been identified supported by the modelling of the robotized pavement maintenance intervention. Regarding the Traffic Management Systems (TMS), a traffic coordination process model is being developed (IMC) combining InfraROB’s solutions supported by a literature research and a safety analysis baseline. A simulation scenario has been prepared aligned to InfraROB’s demonstration activities (UMINHO, D.4.9). IMC and UMINHO have developed the high-level design of the ITS system with the focus on the notification and alerting services.
ASFINAG has developed a Demonstration Plan (D.5.1) to test and validate these solutions in coordination with local authorities.
A methodology for a KPI-based assessment procedure of the different InfraROB solutions considering cost-benefit analyses is defined (RINA-C). Collection of different data and preparation of the base assessment has been performed.
Communication and dissemination activities are supported by an Action Plan (D.6.2 UVIGO). InfraROB’s project website (FEHRL) and social media accounts (CECE) are available. InfraROB has been in Connecting Europe Days 2022, TRA Lisbon 2022, RTR Conference 2023 and other events (TUDa, AIPSS<Ps, RINA-C, UVIGO, FEHRL, CECE).
UVIGO (project coordinator) supports all partners in the efficient execution of the action. Ethics issues are monitored (UVIGO).
TA1: Autonomous robotized machinery for construction, upgrade or large maintenance interventions. A literature review of European paving techniques has been conducted (TUDa) to identify relevant paving parameters for asphalt (D.1.1) supported by a multi-step laboratory program. This information helps on the development of a sensor and control system (MOBA). All components and functions to control the paver autonomously have been analysed. A safety concept has been designed aligned to the regulation. A requirements analysis of FOS (fiber optic sensors) for long-term condition monitoring (RINA-C) has been performed. A testing campaign has been defined. Analysis of the requirements for asphalt sample preparation have been performed (BRUSSI). To integrate these sensors into the pavement, a draft of the design for a device able to carry several hundred meters of cable has been created (THKöln). Electric actuators are considered to improve the precision of the paver. The developments have been tested under real conditions (TPA in cooperation with STRABAG). A test site as dedicated field trial has been designed.
TA2: Autonomous robotized machinery for the routine or periodic maintenance of the pavement. An autonomous robotized head to repair potholes and cracks in asphalt is developed (AIPSS and LTPs). A study of repairing mixtures has been performed (D.3.1). An extruder has been designed and tested (CTL-Sapienza, contributions UNIROMATRE and AIPSS). The design of the printer is available (AIPSS, contributions UNIROMATRE).
Besides, the first prototype for an autonomously-working line marking robot has been designed (D.3.2 TMR).
TA3: Modularization of road construction/upgrade through industrial prefabrication. The element mould of a safety barrier has been designed (NTS, D.2.1). An assessment of mechanical requirements/exposure class has been performed. The adequate materials have been selected, a testing protocol has been defined and a cost calculation has been performed.
TA4: Collaborative operation of safety cone robots and RPAS for work zone segmentation and signaling. A high level design has been performed (UVIGO) supported by a concept of operation for work zone monitoring and segmentation. A requirements analysis has led to a low-level design of all hardware and software elements (D.3.8 &3.9).
TA5: Upgrading of Management Systems to ensure safer operations and maintenance. The deployment of an IT platform for the InfraROB solutions (INSITU) is designed. Data flow diagrams and interfaces have been defined. The database and communication interfaces have been designed. Required inputs for the BIM/DT model to be developed (RINA-C) have been identified. ASFINAG has defined the infrastructure elements for TMS along the demonstration sites and has developed the technical strategy. The Pavement Management System (PMS) structure and workflow have been developed (UMINHO) and information requirements have been identified supported by the modelling of the robotized pavement maintenance intervention. Regarding the Traffic Management Systems (TMS), a traffic coordination process model is being developed (IMC) combining InfraROB’s solutions supported by a literature research and a safety analysis baseline. A simulation scenario has been prepared aligned to InfraROB’s demonstration activities (UMINHO, D.4.9). IMC and UMINHO have developed the high-level design of the ITS system with the focus on the notification and alerting services.
ASFINAG has developed a Demonstration Plan (D.5.1) to test and validate these solutions in coordination with local authorities.
A methodology for a KPI-based assessment procedure of the different InfraROB solutions considering cost-benefit analyses is defined (RINA-C). Collection of different data and preparation of the base assessment has been performed.
Communication and dissemination activities are supported by an Action Plan (D.6.2 UVIGO). InfraROB’s project website (FEHRL) and social media accounts (CECE) are available. InfraROB has been in Connecting Europe Days 2022, TRA Lisbon 2022, RTR Conference 2023 and other events (TUDa, AIPSS<Ps, RINA-C, UVIGO, FEHRL, CECE).
UVIGO (project coordinator) supports all partners in the efficient execution of the action. Ethics issues are monitored (UVIGO).
O (Objective)
-Autonomous and autonomously-working road construction train (O1): Autonomy of operation based on the implementation of all machine functions as controlled processes, based on closed loop control technologies with predictive capabilities based on AI.
-Distributed sensing by Fibre Optic Sensors (FOS)’ automated integration in asphalt (O1.1): Increase in condition monitoring of roads as well as a significant advancement in industrial practice (automated laying).
-Autonomous robotized head to repair potholes and cracks in asphalt (O2): Autonomy of a low-cost 3D printing unit dedicated to early stages of road degradation paving the way to a new standard.
-Autonomously-working line marking robot (O3): One-step process made by deploying a high accuracy robot (GNSS enabled) on the road and have it autonomously mark desired lines from BIM.
-Industrially-prefabricated ‘all-in-one construction element’ for roadside safety and drainage (O4): Modularization of the design and construction of the roadside drainage system and road restraint system, speeding up construction.
-Collaborative operation of safety cone robots and RPAS for work zone segmentation and signalling (O5): A new concept of collaborative operation between low-cost land safety cone robots, RPAS for precise positioning that implement AI and Deep Learning.
-PMS upgrades to enable predictive maintenance planning along with rentability assessment (O6 and O7): Introduction of new metrics that consider different policies and cost of robotic maintenance intervention and condition rating based on analysis supported by AI algorithms.
-TMS upgrades for the safe deployment of road maintenance robots tightly coupled with traffic regimes (O8): Holistic approach with the ability to process different nature information, together with V2V, V2I or weather conditions, along with decision support and decision-making tools.
With the mission of reducing workers’ exposure to live traffic as well as construction machines, reduce the cost of repetitive tasks, and increase the safety of road users while increasing the availability of the transport network, InfraROB also expects to contribute with a positive impact in terms of productivity and quality of the road construction industry, a better understanding of root causes for road damage that lead to better pavement design practices and longer pavement lifetimes, and fostering the electrification of the machines contributing to the Green Deal goals.
-Autonomous and autonomously-working road construction train (O1): Autonomy of operation based on the implementation of all machine functions as controlled processes, based on closed loop control technologies with predictive capabilities based on AI.
-Distributed sensing by Fibre Optic Sensors (FOS)’ automated integration in asphalt (O1.1): Increase in condition monitoring of roads as well as a significant advancement in industrial practice (automated laying).
-Autonomous robotized head to repair potholes and cracks in asphalt (O2): Autonomy of a low-cost 3D printing unit dedicated to early stages of road degradation paving the way to a new standard.
-Autonomously-working line marking robot (O3): One-step process made by deploying a high accuracy robot (GNSS enabled) on the road and have it autonomously mark desired lines from BIM.
-Industrially-prefabricated ‘all-in-one construction element’ for roadside safety and drainage (O4): Modularization of the design and construction of the roadside drainage system and road restraint system, speeding up construction.
-Collaborative operation of safety cone robots and RPAS for work zone segmentation and signalling (O5): A new concept of collaborative operation between low-cost land safety cone robots, RPAS for precise positioning that implement AI and Deep Learning.
-PMS upgrades to enable predictive maintenance planning along with rentability assessment (O6 and O7): Introduction of new metrics that consider different policies and cost of robotic maintenance intervention and condition rating based on analysis supported by AI algorithms.
-TMS upgrades for the safe deployment of road maintenance robots tightly coupled with traffic regimes (O8): Holistic approach with the ability to process different nature information, together with V2V, V2I or weather conditions, along with decision support and decision-making tools.
With the mission of reducing workers’ exposure to live traffic as well as construction machines, reduce the cost of repetitive tasks, and increase the safety of road users while increasing the availability of the transport network, InfraROB also expects to contribute with a positive impact in terms of productivity and quality of the road construction industry, a better understanding of root causes for road damage that lead to better pavement design practices and longer pavement lifetimes, and fostering the electrification of the machines contributing to the Green Deal goals.