Geoptic is preparing to undertake an innovative and first-of-its-kind muon imaging survey of the Canal and River Trust’s Islington Tunnel on the Regent’s Canal in central London. This unique project will deploy a bespoke muon sensitive instrumentation system that has been specifically designed for this application.
To ensure that the survey is completed quickly and with the least possible impact on the Canal and River Trust’s operations, the equipment will be mounted on a dedicated barge. This represents the first time that muon imaging has ever been carried out from a barge in the United Kingdom, setting a new precedent for the use of advanced scientific instrumentation in the assessment of historic infrastructure. The barge-based approach will allow Geoptic to conduct a continuous non invasive scan of the entire tunnel length in a safe, efficient and unobtrusive way.
The resulting data are expected to provide significant new information about the condition of the overlying ground. These findings will become an integral part of the tunnel’s digital twin being developed by Arcadis, who are leading the overall structural assessment and the design of future mitigation strategies.
This survey not only illustrates how novel technology and digital solutions can transform the operation and maintenance of historical tunnel assets, but it also demonstrates the pioneering role of Geoptic’s work. By delivering the first barge-based muon imaging survey in the United Kingdom, Geoptic and its partners are showing how new methods can be introduced to improve safety, speed and understanding in the management of complex infrastructure.