Operational Tunnel Vehicle

About

Operational Tunnel Vehicle (OTV) 
National Grid will own a robust, ultra-flexible 'work-horse' vehicle, achieving cost-effective safety, duty of care and peace of mind for employees and employer, using;

 Patent-granted, turnkey, ultra-cabin space efficient, automotive suspension system enables intuitive/low-skill in-use, new vehicle type/s <0.8m wide, camber and high centre of gravity (Cg) tolerant, to traverse a 3m diameter, circular section tunnel invert, travelling at 14km/hr carrying two people. There would be no change to tunnel infrastructure. It can support two operatives (weight capacity of up to 150kg) in escaping from a tunnel environment in the instance of a fire or in the instance a member of the working party becomes injured. 

 Unladen mass of between approximately 300kg and 450kg, depending on battery choice and numbers, fully enclosed or not.

 It can transport these two operatives through the tunnel lengths, of up to 14.4km, in order to perform operation and maintenance activities, at a maximum speed of 14km/hr and can have sufficient storage space for a first aid kit, defibrillator and lightweight tools up to 50kg (800mm x 800mm storage). 

At least 80km range. The vehicle can turn on the axis of its rear wheels, so 1.9m turning radius possible, even on cambered surfaces. 

 It is able to tow an attached stretcher/trailer that supports the evacuation of a casualty in the event of an emergency. 

 The vehicle can be enclosed, semi-enclosed or open, depending on client requirement; <2.2m long x <0.8m wide x 1.65m high fully enclosed, up to 33 degrees from vertical camber possible. It has lifting points and fits through access hatch opening of 1.2m x 2.25m. 

 Rubber puncture-proof tyres insulate the occupants and stretcher-user from stray power. Occupants may be shielded from water-splashes. It is failsafe in statutory and all other scenarios. 

The whole-vehicle technology is vehicle power-source agnostic, so future-proofed. 

 -- Future uses; Beyond OTV, road-enabled versions of the vehicles enabled have the ability to help balance peak demands on the power-grid infrastructure, especially in cities with the ongoing electrification of mobility. Recharging/battery-swapping requires approximately one quarter to one third the power/time of conventional size cars. All the comfort and convenience of a car, with parking/congestion-busting, zero-emission and affordability advantages too. ...and fun to drive! In our emerging-field, Stryker tech-enabled vehicles represent a realistic way of persuading reluctant, habitual motorists out of overly-wide, polluting, energy/resource-wasteful cars/vans/taxis/PHVs, including all-electric and hybrids ones, which also cause congestion. Stryker-enabled vehicles fill a market gap between cars/motorbikes. We would be delighted to present this unique, patent-granted, problem-solving innovation, preferably in person, or online please. -- It is unclear if a physical or virtual prototype is required by National Grid by July 2023. We have asked this question, so far with no response. If the former, we would like to offer another, two-wheel solution which is already available.