Wall-climbing robots, acoustic sensors and laser technology are among the pioneering ideas which could help write off graffiti from alongside National Highways roads in the future.
National Highways says it is “is on a mission” to tackle the blight of graffiti by finding new products to remove graffiti but also potential solutions that will prevent the vandalism appearing in the first place.
A competition was launched to harvest innovative and modern solutions to the problem that “continues to plague the road network”.
National Highways says graffiti on bridges and next to roads can be distracting for drivers and the clean-up often requires lane or road closures, disrupting traffic, and that it is costly – up to £10,000 to remove one instance of graffiti.
National Highways, formerly Highways England, has launched the competition with partners Kier and Connected Places Catapult to identify new solutions for dealing with graffiti.
More than a dozen companies submitted their concepts and products and the five most promising entries have now been announced. These winning ideas will each get up to £30,000 to spend taking their products forward.
National Highways Head of Innovation, Annette Pass, said, “We are very excited about taking forward these fascinating, innovative solutions that could help us tackle the relentless problem of graffiti which takes up time and money that would be better spent elsewhere on our network.
“The standard of entries was very high and difficult decisions had to be made to whittle them down to a final five. But we are confident that as we develop these ideas further we will be able to identify modern solutions to this age-old problem.”
The five winning ideas from the competition are:
Innovation Factory – audio sensors will detect the application of graffiti in order to alert authorities and trigger audio and visual deterrents.
Sensing Feeling – AI software will analyse behaviour to detect vandals at graffiti hotspots and then deterrents such as alarms and lights can be activated.
HausBots – wall-climbing robotics will be used to apply graffiti preventative paints, reducing the risk of such hazards as working at heights for the workforce.
Powerlase – this innovation will use lasers to remove graffiti from surfaces whilst preventing additional damage to the finish of surface coatings and films.
Nano Eco Group – a 3D chemical coating to prevent the adhesion of graffiti to a variety of surfaces and films.
Each of the winners will use the money to develop their idea and produce a feasibility study for National Highways which will then decide the most promising products to take forward for use on the road network.
(Picture – The HausBots wall-climbing robot which can apply graffiti-preventative paints, courtesy National Highwasy)
