Gully sensor tech 'requires significant refinement'

18/04/2018 | CHRIS AMES

Following a trial of sensors that can report when road gullies are getting blocked, a highway authority has said the technology will require further work before being widely used.

In autumn 2016 engineering firm Amey installed new sensor technology into gullies in Hampshire, where it was at the time the county council’s highway maintenance contractor. 

The sensors measured the level of silt and the water level inside the gully, feeding this information back to a control centre managed by Amey via web-based, mapped, visualisation software.

It was said that technology worked well, gullies would only need to be cleansed when they are at risk of flooding, leading to 'a radically different approach' to gully cleansing.

However, both parties have presented the trial as something from which they have learned, rather than an outright success for the new technology.

A Hampshire CC spokesperson told Highways: ‘The County Council is always open to new ideas to help us make the most of the resources we have to look after Hampshire’s roads, such as potential ways to improve our response to adverse weather and flooding.

‘We looked into a trial of gully sensors which offered the possibility of helping us quickly resolve some types of flooding on the roads, by alerting us to blocked gullies; and also to provide data on key factors which affect flooding on the roads, such as silt and water levels in the gullies so we could proactively prevent flooding.

‘This was a useful trial; however we concluded that the technology requires significant refinement before the sensors might be rolled out further across the highways network.’

David Ogden, Amey’s business director for highways, said: ‘Following the results of the pilot, we calculated that we have the potential to reduce the cost of gully cleaning by 20%. This was through better knowledge of the gullies but also by developing an on-demand approach and real-time monitoring.

‘We are now looking to scale up these new approaches to gully cleaning on other accounts, using sensor technology and data analytics.’

The May issue of Highways magazine will contain a feature on the use of ‘smart’ gully technology, covering gully sensors, asset management software and the importance of using information from sensors as part of the bigger picture.

Amey spends almost £1m with social enterprises

A year on from joining the Buy Social Corporate Challenge, Amey has announced that it spent almost £1m with social enterprises in 2017.

The Challenge is an initiative run by Social Enterprise UK that sees companies open up their supply chains to social enterprises, businesses which trade to meet a social or environmental mission.

In 2017, Amey spent £930,000 with social enterprises, following extensive work with Social Enterprise UK to identify new organisations for Amey to work with.

It said work is now under way to secure an even greater spend for 2018.

Head of social impact Emily Davies said: 'Amey’s goal is to create better places to live, work and travel. We do this directly through delivering our services but have the ability to increase our impact – bringing greater social value to communities in which we operate – if we partner with social enterprises in our supply chain.'

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Traffic Management Technician - WMF2240e

£28,598 - £29,540
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking a committed and technically capable individual to join our Traffic Management Team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Technician-Road Closures

£35,422 - £38,730
The Network Planning division is seeking to appoint someone who is enthusiastic and a team player Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technician - Road Closures (2 Posts)

£29,719 - £31,691
The Network Planning division is seeking to appoint someone who is enthusiastic, an excellent team player Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Structures Inspector

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for two Permanent Structure Inspectors to join our dynamic SBIM team Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have fantastic opportunities for a permanent Highways Maintenance Operatives Kettering, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: Amey

Site Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Site Manager Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Principal Commercial Manager

£Competitive
The SBIM contract involves delivering inspection and maintenance programmes for National Highways Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Senior Commercial Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Senior Commercial Manager Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have fantastic opportunities for a permanent Highways Maintenance Operatives. Northampton, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: Amey

Managing QS

£Competitive
In this role, you will support the Senior Commercial team in the end to end commercial process for the Area 12 contract. Yorkshire and the Humber
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Inspection Officer

£32,962 - £36,791 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a Highways Inspection Officer to join us! Windsor, Berkshire
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Highways Technical Assistant

£29,064 - £31,537
Are you looking for a varied role in a dynamic and innovative team environment that can make a real difference to North Yorkshire’s highways? Leeming Bar, Northallerton
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Street Lighting Electrical Inspector

£34,434 - £38,220 per annum
Do you hold an ONC in electrical engineering or City & Guilds Electrician? Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior bridge Engineer - WMF2212e

£47,181 - £48,226
You will be the key responsible engineer for this area and will also provide technical advice and guidance to our team Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF2221e

£28,598 - £29,540
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Bridge Engineer - WMF2219e

£42,839 - £44,075
We are currently seeking to recruit an experienced and enthusiastic Bridge Engineer Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Public Transport Officer

£42,839 - £46,142
We are looking for an experienced public transport professional to become our Senior Public Transport Officer. Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Principal Transport Planner (Strategy) (Fixed-Term)

£48,226-£51,356
We are looking for an experienced professional to join as a Principal Transport Planner (Strategy) Northampton, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Mobile Street Scene Operative

£24,796 to £25,989 per annum
The Waste and Street Scene department requires enthusiastic and committed mobile street cleansing operative. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Technician - Highways Design (2 Posts)

Grade 10 £35,422 - 38,730 per annum
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Professional Services Section Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW