Solutions for identifying and removing objects from motorways and roadsides
The Challenge
ASECAP, the European Association of Operators of Toll Road Infrastructures, seeks innovative technical solutions to detect and remove these objects efficiently and safely, minimising worker exposure and potentially incorporating new vehicle technologies.
Who can apply?
The ideal solutions would be technical solutions to reduce risks for workers by minimising the need for deployments on motorways. The goal is quick identification and disposal of objects without requiring maintenance vehicles to stop or workers to exit the vehicle. Solutions could include tip trucks, robotic arms, pick-up devices, plowing trucks, suction systems, drones, or other innovations, and can address partial aspects of the problem. There is openness to integrating these solutions with an evolving vehicle fleet, including electric and alternatively fuelled vehicles, ideally within the constraints of the current standard road patrol vehicle weighing less than 3.5 tons.
Background
ASECAP, the European Association of Operators of Toll Road Infrastructures, represents 125 companies across 18 countries, employing over 44,000 people directly and 200,000 indirectly. They manage over 81,000 km of roads, focusing on safety, zero fatalities, and net-zero carbon emissions. Objects like tyres, household appliances, and rubbish frequently pose hazards on motorways, requiring swift removal to prevent accidents. Currently, detection relies on drivers, police, and employees, with workers facing high risks during manual removal.