dr.ir. F. Vahdatikhaki (Farid)

ExcaSafeZone

ReDUCE

ReDUCE is the initiative that aims to improve design, construction, installation, and maintenance of buried infrastructure in shallow subsurface. The focus of the programme is on Reducing Damage to Utilities and Careful Excavation. The initiative wants to enhance the awareness of the excavation supply-chain regarding the relevance of careful excavation, and additionally involves organizations in developing initiatives that prevent damages to subsurface utilities. ReDUCE (the English equivalent to the Dutch acronym ZoARG) is a collaboration between the utility sector and the University of Twente. The collaboration involves research, design, and development of new methods and techniques for excavation. These efforts are instantly valorised by implementing findings in education and (academic and practical) training programmes.

ASPARi

ASPARi (Asphalt Paving Research and innovation) is a network of organisations working collaboratively to improve the asphalt construction process. Recent contract change developments in the Netherlands (especially lengthier guarantee periods) has seen the rules of the game change in terms of process control, quality, maintenance and risks to contractors. In response, several construction companies joined forces with researchers of the University of Twente to form the ASPARi network in 2007, to collaboratively work towards improved process control. These construction companies, known as the Founders, are collectively responsible for more than 80% of the asphalt turnover in the country i.e. in excess of 8 million tonnes each year. More information can be found by clicking on the Founders and Partners tab. The ASPARi research unit is based at the University of Twente's Construction Management Department. Professor André Dorée and researchers Seirgei Miller and Farid Vahdatikhaki lead the research activities.