Protection of highways workers from Covid 19 whilst maintaining and repairing highways and pavements

坑洞工程是一个困扰了这个国家十年的项目。在2020年的预算中，政府承诺了逾期已久的资金，但Covid - 19大流行现在已经停止了除紧急修复工作外的所有工作。这意味着，当司机和骑自行车的人回到道路上时，坑洼的危险仍在继续，如果在冬季之前不进行有意义的维修，那么明年的道路可能会受到严重影响。高速公路工作人员被归类为关键工人，他们面临的主要问题之一是无法保持社交距离。大多数维修保养要求工人以2或3人为一组，坐在同一辆卡车的驾驶室里，无法以隔离和安全的方式履行他们的职责。Rejuvetech有限公司开发了一种创新的沥青修复技术，利用新鲜空气来修复道路。这个创新的过程使用了一个氮气发生器，它从大气中吸收空气，将氧气从氮气中分离出来，然后通过一个专门的加热器，加热用于熔化旧沥青的氮气，当与新沥青混合时，形成一个无缝的粘合剂，从而产生持久的修复。该装置被设计放在拖车或平板卡车的后面，带有一个热箱，因此可以在任何大小的道路上使用，并且道路干扰最小。该项目已进入最后阶段，需要一个全尺寸的工作原型，以便在道路上进行测试和演示。最低限度的资金将用于最终确定原型，并且由于该技术具有很强的适应性，该装置可以在大流行期间由一个操作员单独使用。这一过程已经受到英国专利的保护，扩大原型的资金将加快维护道路安全的能力，并以安全有效的方式保护工作。继2020年初Rejuvetech Ltd获得创新奖后，该公司已成功制造和利用该专利技术的全尺寸演示器。额外的延长拨款将用于对设备进行必要的进一步改进，以促进更有效的示范，最大限度地提高沥青维修商业示范的质量。这将使公共资金的使用发挥最大可能的价值。在与合适的合作伙伴进行商业化之后，其意图是生产“现成的”和定制的单元，根据英国的个人客户需求量身定制。Rejuvetech有限公司的目的是利用这项技术来解决持续存在的“坑”问题，利用其可持续的方法来最大化和保留就业机会和财富创造。最终，该公司打算通过英国贸易署负责任地出口这项技术，最终在短期和长期内造福社会和环境。

Project pothole has been a venture which has vexed the nation for a decade. The 2020 budget saw the government commit long overdue funds, but the Covid 19 pandemic has now stopped all but emergency repair work. This means that when drivers and cyclists return to the roads, the hazards from potholes continue and if no meaningful repairs are carried out before the winter, then the roads may be severely effected next year. One of the main issues faced by highways operatives, who are classed as key workers, is an inability to social distance. Most repair maintenance requires operatives to work in gangs of 2 or 3 men, sitting in the same lorry cab and unable in the performance of their duties to work in an isolated and safe manner.Rejuvetech Ltd has developed an innovative asphalt repair technology which uses fresh air to repair the roads. The innovative process uses a nitrogen generator which draws in air from the atmosphere, separates the oxygen from the nitrogen, and then by using a specialist heater, heats the nitrogen which is used to meld the old asphalt and when mixed with the new, forms a seamless bond thereby producing a durable repair. The unit is designed to sit on the back of a trailer or flatbed lorry, with a hot box, and thus can be used on any size of road with minimal road interruption.The project has reached a final stage of needing a full scale working prototype to take it out on the roads for testing and demonstration. The de minimis funding will be used to finalise the prototpye and because the technology is so adaptable the unit can be used on a sole operator basis during the pandemic. The process is already UK patent protected and the funding to scale up the prototype will speed up the ability to maintain roads safely and protect jobs in a safe and efficient manner.Following the Innovate award to Rejuvetech Ltd earlier in 2020 the company has been successful in fabricating and utilising a full scale demonstrator of the patented technology. The additional extension funding will allow additional necessary improvements to the apparatus to facilitate a more efficient demonstrator to maximise the quality of commercial demonstrations of asphalt repair. This will give the maximum possible value for the use of public money. The intention, following commercialisation with suitable partner(s) is to manufacture both 'off the shelf' and bespoke units, tailored to individual customer requirements here in the UK. It is the intention of Rejuvetech Ltd to use this technology to address the ongoing 'pot hole' problem using its sustainable methodology maximising and retaining job and wealth creation. Ultimately, the company intends to responsibly export the technology via UKTi ultimately benefitting society and the environment in both the short and longer term.