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Mike Waters' blog: 4 December - Watch out for that pothole!
Date: 04 December 2015
The state of our roads is a regular talking point and potholes are a major issue for drivers. At low speeds they cause damage to our vehicles and at high speeds, they can be really dangerous. What's more, on congested roads it can be hard to spot them until it's too late, especially in the dark.
A quarter of the busiest roads in Britain are thought to have potholes and the government is struggling to allocate enough money to keep on top of them. However, thanks to advances in technology there could be some light at the end of the tunnel.
Smart van is a vehicle which can predict road damage before it has even formed, using sensors that record changes in air pressure inside the tyre.
The radar scans beneath the wheels to find air pockets under the pavement. It has only been used in the USA to date but if it works there seems no reason why the UK shouldn't adopt the same approach. In fact, we are hearing that in the UK, similar inventions are being tested.
Public services provider Amey is testing a machine, nicknamed the Dalek, that it states can get rid of potholes 30 times as fast as the conventional method of repair.The machine is capable of filling in holes in just two minutes and is being tested on the roads of central Bedfordshire.
The Dalek has an arm that extends from the cab over the damaged road and fills it with material.
It blows away the dust and loose debris, sprays a glue over the hole, then lays gravel on top. Job done.
You may worry that robots are taking over jobs which should be done by humans, but in this instance most drivers would agree that this is an exciting development.
