Hydraulic Inspection Vehicle Explorer (HIVE) Culvert Upgrade

Currently VTrans owns 47,873 small culverts. The failure of culverts can lead to roadway closures and severe traffic disturbances. Therefore, performing accurate and timely culvert inspection is critical for asset management. Commercial video inspection equipment is costly and not suitable for large numbers of culvert inspections. In 2018, VTrans asset management team designed and built a Hydraulic Inspection Vehicle Explorer (HIVE) based on a Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) design [Griffin 2019, Coughlin 2016]. In this project, the research team proposes to collaborate with VTrans engineers to design a HIVE V2.0 robot to improve its sensing performance and functionality. Specifically, the team will focus on several aspects: (1) Improving the wireless communication reliability. To extend the communication distance, the team proposes to add repeater devices in the system that can serve as the relay between HIVE and the external operator. (2) Mechanical design to improve HIVE moving capabilities. Techniques under considerations: a) To design continuous track or large wheels to improve the barrier passing capability; b) To design small boat as the carrier for carrying HIVE in water pipes. (3) Considering attaching light weight wire, i.e. fishing line to HIVE. If HIVE gets stuck, the team may be able to drag it out. Whereas the team also needs to consider the design carefully so that the wire will not get stuck. (4) To explore HIVE 2.0 for inspecting pipes in closed system (between DIs). The mechanical structure will be designed so that the robot can be lowered and retrieved, and communication can be maintained between the robot and the operator.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $51525
• Contract Numbers:

  VTRC019-003

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Vermont Agency of Transportation

  219 North Main Street
  Barre, VT  United States  05641
• Start Date: 20191001
• Expected Completion Date: 20200930
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asset management; Culverts; Inspection equipment; Robots; Vehicle design
• Identifier Terms: Vermont Agency of Transportation
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01721569
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Vermont Agency of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: VTRC019-003
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Nov 4 2019 10:19AM