Plexal, the innovation centre and coworking space based at the Here East tech campus in east London, has revealed the nine companies that make up the London RoadLab programme.
The programme is being delivered on behalf of Transport for London (TfL) and in partnership with major utilities companies and London Councils with the goal being to make London’s roads smarter, safer and more inclusive during roadworks.
The cohort members are working on a wide range of solutions, including innovative use of data to simulate and visualise roadworks, communication tools, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and physical barriers. The full cohort are:
EMU Analytics –Visual mapping software that enables public visibility of roadworks. It contextualises information by demonstrating how aspects of London’s public journeys might be impacted by roadworks.
Geve – An onsite communication app for contractors and roadworkers that integrates with in-house visualisation tools and maps.
Grid Smarter Cities – A Traffic Management system to identify and manage virtual holding bays for freight vehicles around roadworks and constructions sites.
Immense Simulations – A simulation-as-a-service platform that automates what is traditionally a very manual and time-consuming process of modelling to understand the impacts of roadworks on traffic.
Mobilized Construction – Using high frequency, network wide road quality data and analytics to monitor road network health and deterioration in real-time using retrofitted IoT devices on vehicles.
Oxford Plastic – New and innovative physical roadwork barriers and safety products.
RSK Environment – Novel deployment and advanced processing of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology to detect water leaks and collect information about the subsurface.
Route Reports – Vehicle fitted IoT devices specifically designed to collect data on road quality and potholes. The data is analysed and presented using Route Reports’ AI analytics platform.
Social Asset Management – SAM is a global disruption monitoring tool that will deliver speedy alerts and situational awareness to disruptive activities and emergency events relating to roadworks through the lens of social media.
The cohort is currently receiving expert advice from Plexal’s innovation team and mentors from TfL across technical disciplines, who are helping them to understand and utilise the transport body’s extensive data and technical experience.
As part of the programme, Plexal is hosting a series of roundtable discussions between cohort members, TfL, the programme partners and selected guests to boost TfL’s understanding of how innovations can be included into London’s transport network.
The goal of London RoadLab is to uncover and support solutions that can address some of the capital’s most pressing roadworks-related challenges. These include congestion, pollution, potholes and diversions that make streets inaccessible for cyclists, motorists and pedestrians alike. The programme also aims to make roadworks more efficient and safer for the workers on-site.
The programme will conclude on 1 May, when participants will pitch their ideas to TfL and its partners, and be considered for contracts.
Commenting on the programme’s launch, Francesca Lavey, innovation programme director, mobility, at Plexal said: “We’re hugely impressed by the calibre of companies joining us as part of the London RoadLab programme. I’m excited to see how a combination of funding, innovation support, pilot sites, data sets and data mentors results in fresh and exciting ways for roadworks to be carried out in the city.”