The problem:
Stormwater slots and grated trench drains are commonly used to collect runoff from a road surface, ensuring optimal performance and reducing the risk of unsafe surface flooding. However, they produce a MO challenge: it’s time-consuming to remove and reinstate the grates for high-pressure hydro-jet flushing, plus they cause unsafe flying debris. To manage the jet spray, a half barrel was dragged by rope over the drain while flushing – a clumsy and cumbersome practice.
The solution:
Our HydroVac team worked with Auckland Motorways to develop a better way of cleaning motorway slot and grated trench drains while reducing jet spray. We designed a simple, safe, effective and cost-effective solution, fitting a half-barrel with a handle and trolley system. Now an operator can safety and easily follow the jet-flushing head during cleaning and eliminate the risk of flying debris, without needing to remove grates.
The result:
The innovation is simple, safe, effective and cost-effective. It reduces the exposure of our people to safety risks, plus it saves time and cost, to the satisfaction of our client. “Very impressive. Innovation meets innovation,” Paul Casey, MD at ACO Ltd”Great piece of equipment. Awesome innovation,” Marc Love, Senior Engineer at Auckland Transport.