Community Resource Information Support Platform (CRISP)

An innovation project in collaboration with HS2 partner Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV) to design and pilot an innovative resource utilisation software CRISP (Community Resource Information Support Platform).

What will the software do?

This unique software will maximise the reuse of redundant materials thereby dramatically lowering waste production while saving on costs and carbon. The platform identifies potential match opportunities for unused or redundant resources to be reused on other projects across sublots within HS2, or donated to local community groups, instead of going to waste.

Adapted from International Synergies’ award-winning SYNERGie® platform, CRISP was tailored to meet HS2 requirements and piloted on-site to capture spare and redundant resources, prioritising ease of use, data quality, impact tracking and reporting, and secure access levels.

How does it relate to HS2?

The software is designed to be compatible with operational processes across HS2 delivery partners, with details and photographs of redundant resources entered directly on-site to look for matches (often referred to as synergies). When a match is approved, collection is arranged between the resource owners and the intended beneficiary.

CRISP’s technology is designed to prioritise material reuse internally for HS2 projects, but where a match cannot be identified, resources are instead offered to third party charities and community groups in need, increasing community engagement and enabling a streamlined donation process.

The platform allows photographs and details to be entered for any spare or waste materials generated in projects, with the capability to find a reuse match for anything. Resources successfully rehomed during the pilot included signage, badger gates, toolboxes and jerry cans.

How will it benefit people?

This process of industrial symbiosis benefits everyone, a real win-win-win – saving money on waste disposal costs, saving the beneficiaries of the resource’s money on purchases, and benefiting the environment by reducing waste generation, landfill, and associated carbon output.

With an estimated waste reduction potential of up to 20%, CRISP’s innovative offering could see cost savings of up to £2.24million on two sections of HS2 development (between the Long Itchington Wood Green tunnel to the Delta Junction / Birmingham Spur and from the Delta Junction to the West Coast Main Line (Lots N1 and N2)), clearly demonstrating the benefits of resource reuse/efficiency across projects and industries.

International Synergies’ programme manager for CRISP Ian Humphries said that he was delighted to have worked with BBV to develop and pilot CRISP and is looking forward to seeing the future cost savings and waste reduction it will enable benefiting HS2 sites and the wider community.