Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a magic bus – they created a unique laboratory van with equipment and sensors for field data collection ready to see below the surface to water and wastewater pipes. The van is also equipped with computer, software, and generator. The robotic CCTV camera can be used for inspection of pipes with diameter ranging from six to 24 inches. Using the van and a web-based geospatial tool, they can assist water utilities in performing a network-level risk screening of their buried water and wastewater pipeline infrastructure systems. Essentially, they are providing a preliminary risk screening of the underground assets to quickly identify problematic hot spot areas and find places where further analysis is needed before trouble strikes.
Robotic and Geospatial Screening Identifies Hot Spots
