10098661GCRE: Railway Construction Innovation Phase 2, (Project Nr: 10060478)ClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKhyperTunnel proposes "an innovation to reduce the need for cut and cover underpass construction". hyperTunnel is a technology scale-up, with a clear route to commercialisation, carrying out the project and exploiting results from the UK, with global trade opportunities in rail and beyond. It will contribute towards Government goals to make UK rail more competitive, by providing new solutions for railway construction. hyperTunnel is working with the underground construction industry to completely change how underground spaces are built, maintained and monitored. Its highly innovative, patented approach greatly reduces costs and environmental impacts, enabling projects to be carried out far more quickly, safely and with less project risk than existing methods. Unlike traditional civil engineering approaches to creating underpasses, it would not require track closure or disruption to the existing rail infrastructure. These capabilities align with the GCRE scope and delivers all benefits: \*lower carbon footprint and environmental benefits \*reduced construction costs \*reduced through life costs \*improved resilience \*enhanced safety \*reduced timescales \*efficiencies in materials handling or efficient use of resources This technology can create future growth in the underground construction market by bringing projects that were previously unviable, which provides genuine economic and societal benefit. It uses a unique combination of proven technologies from diverse industries -- including digital twins, robotics, 3D printing and digital underground surveying, supported by AI and VR. The technology provides solutions not only to the rail industry (in both construction and asset repair) but also roads, mining and utilities industries. Instead of digging a hole and building a tunnel, hyperTunnel builds the tunnel and then digs the hole. Approach \*traditional drilling methods to place 280mm diameter plastic pipes in the ground in appropriate pattern \*geophysical survey robots sent into pipes to compile data for Digital Twin \*Subject to survey findings, construction robots sent into the pipes to construct the permanent tunnel lining \*excavation using traditional plant. The project envisaged is a short pedestrian sized tunnel under the test railway track. The trial tunnel would be about 20m long with an internal diameter of 3.5m, constructed as a full-scale trial. The patented process is unique. We have a strong technical and commercial team and understand the requirement to develop a proactive working relationship with the GCRE teams, sharing information and other support activities. hyperTunnel will deliver: \*a demonstration at GCRE for use and feedback \*an evaluation phase to inform a cost/ benefit analysis \*demonstration retained onsite