Project Summary

Civil Water Management is developing advanced recycled materials for use in roadside drainage to improve both road users’ safety and the capacity of the filter drain network, so it can handle increasingly heavier and more frequent rainfall events. Recycled materials will include end-of-life tyres that will be used in drainage applications rather than being incinerated; reducing carbon release into the atmosphere. It is thought that around 6100 tyres could be used for every kilometre of filter drain installed, equating to 134 tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

Project Achievements

The project successfully simulated and tested roadside filter drain environments and the various types of surface run-off fouling they encounter. A first-of-a-kind testing regime was developed specifically for the project, in which unique modular drainage system materials made from recycled tyre rubber were tested in roadside filter drain simulations. The hydraulic characteristics, and the effects invoked by several of the most common fouling types were put under the microscope, and long-term durability factors were successfully tested and analysed. Civil Water Management worked closely with industry stakeholders, including the DfT, National
Highways, geotechnical experts, and civil engineering firms, to ensure that the findings and approaches were aligned with real-world transport infrastructure needs.

Conclusions

Through engineering rigor, following a scientific and consistent approach, emphasis was placed on the consistency of the materials used to uphold the integrity of the project activities, tests and findings. The team at Civil Water Management and their supply chain partners have proven repeatable efficacy and high-performance in their unique approach to prolonging essential drainage functions.
The findings are completely unique to the materials and specifications adhered to during the tests, and have far-reaching environmental and economic advantages, including:

  • Major reductions in filter drain pollution and maintenance costs for transport authorities.
  • Driving down carbon emissions from quarrying, transport, and stone replacement.
  • Safer, more resilient infrastructure with significantly less HGV movements and road closures.

Next Steps

To advance the innovation further, Civil Water Management are developing close collaborations with key transport stakeholders including the DfT, Connected Places Catapult and National Highways to grow their commercialisation strategy. They are also identifying commercial partnerships within the transport sector to support large-scale deployment.