Greg will get drivers out of deep water
A student from Ibstock has created a system that could help save lives by alerting drivers to dangerously high levels of water on the road.
Flood water can cause cars to aquaplane or damage the engine and brakes.
Greg Rolleston has created a sensing bollard for flood prone areas, such as the notorious Watery Gate near Thurlaston, which records the level of water collecting on the surface and sends a message to a nearby LED sign.
The sign displays three warning levels, depending on the severity of the flood: beware of flood; beware of flowing flood; road impassable.
The bollard, which is concreted in beside the road, contains a hydrostatic level sensor to record the water level. The sign and bollard interact via radio telemetry.
Product design student Greg created the ‘ GYZR’ Flood Awareness System after completing a placement at Stormsaver, a company that specialises in collecting, storing and reusing rainwater by installing large tanks in businesses and homes.
Greg, 22, who studies at Nottingham Trent University, said: “Approaching a large amount of water on the road can be daunting as you have no idea how deep it might be.
“A bigger car could pass through which might influence the decision of a driver in a smaller car.
“This system removes that doubt and provides data which can help drivers make sensible decisions that could help reduce accidents and potentially save lives.
“An egg cup of water in the combustion chamber can be enough to wreck an engine and aquaplaning essentially turns your car into an uncontrolled sled.
“The data can also be sent to organisations who will find it useful, such as the Environmental Agency.”
Greg’s design is set to go on public display at Nottingham Trent University’s Art and Design Summer Show 2018.
Dr Matthew Watkins, Senior Lecturer in Product Design at the university, said: “Greg has identified a need in relation to driver awareness and the need for real-time accurate monitoring of roads at risk of flooding.
“He has developed a novel solution.”