ASFINAG (Autobahnen- und Schnellstraßen-Finanzierungs-Aktiengesellschaft) was looking for innovative solutions for "New perspectives for sensor technology and remote monitoring in highway operations" as part of a challenge. ASFINAG offered five specific application areas for the Challenge:
1) Impact detection in restraint systems.
2) Leaks in fire water pipes
3) Water quality
4) Mold formation
5) Contamination of pipelines
The Intelligent Acoustic Solutions research group submitted solutions in two application areas. In both application areas the solutions of JOANNEUM RESEARCH convinced the prominent jury of ASFINAG and could emerge as winners.
The solution "impACT - Highly efficient sensor module for impact detection in the free field" is the winner in the application area "Impact detection in restraint systems". The solution is based on a fully integrated sensor module consisting of a sensor foil (PyzoFlex), evaluation and transmission electronics, and a rechargeable battery and solar module. The sensor module detects vibrations in the restraint system through an AI-based analysis of structure-borne sound.
The second winning solution proposed an innovative system for acoustically determining the degree of contamination of pipelines in application area 5. In the future, this will enable targeted cleaning of pipelines only when a defined degree of contamination is reached. The system is characterized by an innovative measuring principle and low maintenance and servicing costs.