David Pethybridge, a graduate of the Master of Engineering Management (MEM) programme at the University of Canterbury (UC) in New Zealand, is working on developing RoadVac to address a worldwide issue. His focus is on New Zealand’s extensive network of 55,000 kilometres of gravel roads and, in a broader sense, the 13 million kilometres of dusty roads found worldwide.
In addition to presenting considerable environmental concerns, the dust generated by unpaved roads is believed to result in approximately 6 million accidents globally each year, along with 1.5 million premature deaths.
In New Zealand, a Ministry of Health study revealed that the long-term health effects caused by air pollution resulting from dust impose a financial burden of almost USD$3 million on taxpayers annually.
“When I was trying to quantify the impact of this issue, I read some council websites saying that dust is just a fact of life that comes with rural living. And I thought, ‘Why does it have to be?’” he says.
Unlike existing approaches that rely on water or harsh chemicals to bind dust to the road surface, RoadVac, the innovative solution developed by David Pethybridge, takes a different approach. This technology involves a specialised trailer unit that travels along the road, employing agitation and suction to extract dust.
The system separates the solid particles from the air, producing clean air emissions. By eliminating the necessity for excessive water usage and harmful chemicals, RoadVac addresses environmental concerns and generates a valuable by-product that can be marketed.
According to Pethybridge, RoadVac has been specifically designed to address the issue of harmful particles that can be breathed in, employing an environmentally friendly approach. Once the process is complete, the remaining fine particles can be utilised in various ways, such as being incorporated into construction concrete or, in certain circumstances, utilised in asphalt production.
Pethybridge explained this technology as employing vacuum trucks to clean and maintain sewer systems. It offers a more efficient and environmentally conscious alternative to conventional techniques like jetting. The system comprises a vacuum truck, a remotely operated camera, and a computer.
The vacuum truck has a robust pump capable of extracting solids, liquids, and gases. The remote-controlled camera is utilised to inspect the sewer system, identifying areas that require cleaning. The computer serves as a control centre for managing the vacuum truck and the camera, as well as storing data related to the sewer system.
It works by first inspecting the sewer system with the remote-controlled camera. The camera operator can identify areas that need to be cleaned, such as blockages, roots, and debris. Once the problem areas have been identified, the vacuum truck cleans them. The vacuum pump sucks up the solids, liquids, and gases, and the computer tracks the cleaning progress.
The RoadVac system is a more efficient and environmentally friendly way to clean sewers than conventional methods. It is more efficient because it can clean larger areas in less time. It is also more environmentally friendly because it does not use water or chemicals.
As time progresses, the RoadVac can be developed to be more advanced. For instance, the researcher can create a system with sensors that can detect leaks and blockages in the sewer system. This proactive maintenance enables people to prevent sewer overflows and other environmental problems.
Pethybridge is optimistic that his innovation can help to address the climate challenge. He believes the system can help reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere by sewer systems. He also believes that the system can help improve agricultural systems’ efficiency.
