Smart digital integration supports M5 drainage survey programme

Drainage and wastewater specialist Lanes Group plc is using smart integration of data systems of support easier and faster delivery of a drainage survey programme along the M5.

Lanes has been commissioned by R&W Civil Engineering, working for Highways England, to survey the drainage system along the 10km stretch of the M5 between Junctions 19 and 20 of the M5.

Data gathering for the project is being made easier by Lanes’ ability to integrate the HADDMS highways drainage data system with its operational survey platform.

This has allowed data to be shared between the two systems quickly and easily and ensures final data files provided for R&W Civil Engineering can be compiled more quickly.

The Lanes Bristol depot has been carrying out the drainage survey work since April 2021. All the work is being carried out at night to minimise the risk of disruption to traffic and support safe working.

Lanes Bristol Area Development Manager Jamie Commons said: “Our expertise in preparing digital CCTV survey reports and integrating HADDMS with our own WinCan system is paying dividends.

“It’s allowing our operational crews to work more smartly on gathering data and will speed up the process of compiling all data in one final report and shapefile for R&W to supply to Highways England.”

HADDMS stands for Highways Agency Drainage Data Management System. It allows Highways England to record and update data on the design and condition of road drainage systems across the UK. Data is stored in a shapefile, a format for recording geographical features.

Nick Brook, Project Manager for R&W Civil Engineering, said: “The Lanes team has done a tremendous job. During one shift, alone, they surveyed 1.3 kilometres of drainage which is very good going. The data will support plans to maintain and improve this stretch of the M5.”

Lanes Bristol has been deploying a jet vac tanker crew with a CCTV drainage survey unit and a HADDMS survey technician to carry out the work over 17 planned shifts in a programme due to be completed at the end of June 2021.

Drainage on both the northbound and southbound carriageways and the central reservation are being cleaned and surveyed, with pipes ranging in diameter from 100mm gully channels to 575mm main surface water pipes.

The jet vac tanker has been needed to remove silt that has built up in the drainage channels. Removing it allows the CCTV robotic mini cameras to be sent along the pipes. It also reduces the risk of pooling of surface water on the carriageway, creating a traffic hazard.

Lanes drainage engineers have also carried out safe confined space entry to support the cleaning of catchpits built into the drainage system to hold silt and debris that would otherwise block pipes.

R&W operates across the south of England, providing civil engineering, rail infrastructure, environmental and plant services, with specialist expertise in highways maintenance.