Research and development

Intelligent mobility - shared funding with academia

Working with the University of Loughborough Transport and Planning Group, we've developed the 3.5 year PhD project:

Assessing the impact of intelligent mobility on traffic performance

This is our first collaboration with academia.

The aim of the project is to develop statistical and artificial intelligence techniques to help us produce better real-time traffic prediction.

We can use this information to reduce delays and traffic accidents.

Project objectives include: ​

• exploring intelligent mobility services and their potential impact on our network
• constructing an integrated simulation platform (for example VISSIM and VSimRTI) to test various mobility services and scenarios ​
• developing estimation models that replicate traffic conditions in the presence of mobility services, and also involve fleets of connected and autonomous vehicles ​
• designing real-time traffic estimation, targeted at network level decisions

A three way collaboration - automated manufacturing of smart concrete components

National Highways and COWI Group are co-funding a highly innovative project at the University of Strathclyde entitled “Automated manufacturing of smart concrete components”. This 4-year PhD project will demonstrate the  automated integration of sensors into precast concrete construction elements. Wireless electronic- and skin- sensors will be embedded and surface mounted onto concrete elements using robotics, during off-site manufacturing on a lab-scale production line. 

These smart concrete elements will automatically set up ad-hoc, self-repairing wireless networks with  neighbouring smart elements. This could support the seamless tracking of elements’ locations, loads and performance throughout storage, transport, construction and utilisation. Unlike manually retrofitted sensors, automatic sensor deployment during manufacturing reduces installation errors and construction project delays. ​

This approach forms new, distinct UK capabilities in construction manufacturing that have a high global demand. Concrete is the most utilised material in construction, and today, asset managers worldwide are struggling to optimise the maintenance of their growing, ageing concrete population. This is causing infrastructure systems to break down more frequently, for longer, and cost more time and money to recover. This challenge can be addressed by intelligently scheduling maintenance, and by validating and improving structural design, but this demands real-time performance monitoring. Sensors themselves are affordable, but their use in construction is uncommon because sensor installation and data management campaigns pose  significant labour costs and risks to productivity. This PhD project seeks to eliminate these risks and make smart, resilient structures the new norm by innovating the off-site manufacturing process. ​

We will seek to apply successfully developed learning and technologies to our future Major projects Programme.

Centre for doctoral training (CDT) in future infrastructure and built environment

This CDT will develop the next generation of PhD graduates who can create, shape and deliver the national vision for UK infrastructure. They will be equipped with new thinking and approaches to tackle the infrastructure challenges, and exploit opportunities associated with a changing and uncertain world. ​

It tackles the strategically important theme of infrastructure resilience in the context of five categories of threats (and associated opportunities): ​

1. Infrastructure resilience against technological uncertainty
2. Infrastructure resilience against environmental causes
3. Infrastructure resilience in a world of economic and political change
4. Infrastructure resilience to support urbanisation and demographic change
5. Infrastructure resilience in a changing society and culture

The scheme is supported by many successful, strategic and long-term partnerships with industry with strong credentials for resilient infrastructure innovation and global leadership.

The partners include:

• private and public owners
• contractors
• consultants
• technology suppliers and international academic partners with strong engagement in the transport, waste, water, energy, and IT sectors

Targeting research excellence - early career researchers

We use our academic partnerships to support researchers starting their careers, through projects that will help us deliver our high priorities.

Our first project, with the Middlesex University Faculty of Science and Technology, is the 1 year postdoctoral study:

Factors Deterring and Prompting the Decision to Attempt Suicide on England’s Strategic Road Network (SRN): A Multi-Methodological Analysis

The aim of the project is to generate insights and practical intelligence for us, by:

• determining the factors that either stop or encourage people thinking of attempting suicide
• analysing the news and online content that may influence someone's decision to attempt suicide

This research will shape our monitoring, prevention and postvention of suicides on our road network, for example through:

• new or adapted infrastructure
• staff training
• improved reporting of road-related suicides​

The scheme is supported by our National Highways research team, together with an advisory group that includes academic, industry and clinical experts, as well as people with lived experience of suicide.