Transport Infrastructure Heritage and Future

We are researching the use of remote sensing technologies to advance understanding of the deterioration of highway pavement surfaces. Our research is focused on the development of non-contact methods to characterise the surface texture of highway pavements. The ability to measure highway surface texture with non-contact methods has the potential to improved existing skid resistance measurement techniques, with other potential promising applications to the development of autonomous vehicles. At present skid resistance measurements completed with contact equipment such as SCRIM, are well understood to vary cyclically with the seasons. We are also using remote sensors to assist with a long study of the environmental factors influencing the seasonal variation in contact derived skid resistance measurements.

For more information and postgraduate opportunities, please contact Vikki Edmondson.

We have worked with the Heritage Railway Association and various individual railways looking at how old railway infrastructure can be managed in an operational context by charities with limited access to funds and generally only volunteer staff.

We have created systems for earthwork and structure monitoring and are currently investigating the use of structure from motion for monitoring changes in slopes and other assets.

For more information and postgraduate opportunities, please contact Professor Martin Crapper.