Project development teams will improve them and prepare them for implementation during an intensive educational course
A new stage of the first road accelerator has begun, created at the site of the FAA "ROSDORNIA" for the technological re-equipment of road industry enterprises. 14 teams with their innovative developments have been selected for further participation. Now they will take a two-week training course in order to submit improved versions of their projects to the jury at the end of December. Teams with the most in-demand developments for the industry will have the opportunity to test and scale them.
This year, the first accelerator of the road industry was created on the basis of the FAU ROSDORNIA, whose tasks include finding interesting projects, finalizing them, increasing the educational and scientific and technical potential of specialists, opening new enterprises and involving experts and potential investors in the development of the industry.
In the fall of 2020, the first teams of developers of innovative proposals for the road industry were selected to participate in the project. They included specialists in areas of road construction, entrepreneurs, young scientists who have new ideas and who are ready to present them to potential investors.
Out of 67 submitted applications, after evaluation by experts – representatives of science and business – 28 teams were admitted to the qualifying round. Most of the developers' proposals were devoted to the development of intelligent transport systems and digital technologies. There were also proposals in the field of road construction and repair related to the use of new equipment, materials and technologies. For example, one of the proposed projects is related to the use of ash and slag in road construction. The experts were also presented with a new anti-corrosion coating for the construction of bridges; an automated traffic management system; a system for preventing accidents and analyzing traffic flow; several proposals for ensuring the functioning of unmanned vehicles.
The team of experts that evaluates, selects and helps to finalize projects includes: ROSDORNIA researchers, representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science, educational institutions in the region road construction and private investors.
The next qualifying round, during which the teams personally or remotely presented their projects to experts, was held recently in Moscow. As a result, 14 teams entered the next stage – the acceleration program. In the next two weeks, they will have a two–week educational "intensive" - a consulting and practical course with mentors and industry experts. The course includes blocks on technological entrepreneurship and special knowledge in the field of road construction.
«Projects that are not included in the acceleration program are also interesting and need support, next year we will prepare a number of activities for such teams aimed at improving the quality of applications submitted and their compliance with the goals and objectives of the road industry.
The projects invited to the acceleration program will be given the opportunity to test and pilot implementation in the industry. During the intensive course of the teams, a mentor will work with each project, together with which the teams they will be able to strengthen their technologies and better prepare for the final of the acceleration program," ROSDORNIA FAA reported.
At the end of December, a demo day will be held, in which accelerator graduates will present their projects finalized during the training to the experts. Those development teams whose projects have turned out to be the most mature and ready for implementation will have the opportunity to test and scale them.