Project Objectives
ECOROADS is a project led by ANAS SpA (Italian National Autonomous Roads Corporation), funded in 2025 by the Italian Ministry of Research in the frame of the National Operational Programme ‘Research and Innovation’ (PON). The project aims at the development and implementation of new technologies that can mitigate noise and air pollution. The innovative component of this project is the use of microbiological techniques to extend the traditional functionality of the noise barriers to the removal of the main pollutants present in the atmosphere, through adsorption processes on the surface of leaves and/or building materials, with subsequent bacterial biodegradation of chemical contaminants.
General description
The aim of the project will be achieved through the design, construction and certification of two types of multifunctional road barriers that can mitigate the noise and/or air pollution generated by running vehicles along road infrastructures. The first type is a multifunctional noise barrier consisting of a traditional acoustic barrier integrated with autochthonous plants functionalized with selected microorganisms and adsorbing biopolymers, also functionalized with microorganisms. The second type consists of a scarp planting, hosting plants functionalized with microorganisms. Overall, the project involves the design and implementation of two different approaches to the removal of chemical pollutants. The first of them exploits the interaction between selected tree and shrub crops, housed within the multifunctional barrier structure or being part of scarp planting, and specific microorganisms inoculated on the leaf surfaces and in the soil. The second approach consists in the use of porous biopolymeric materials positioned on the structure of the barrier, which allow the intensification of the metabolic processes of the microorganisms by providing a suitable microbial support.
The project also aims to bring to maturity and to a high degree of transferability on a large scale innovative microbiology techniques and material engineering that represent the core of the industrial research activities of the project, with the development of advanced methodologies such as the preparation of plants and bio-absorbing materials, functionalized with environmental microorganisms useful to the removal of pollutants. These technological solutions will be implemented in a pilot area of the Sicily Region, characterized by high levels of noise levels and the presence of sensitive receivers (school area). The project is carried out by a consortium of five main partners, including a public administration, three universities and one SME, with complementary skills on different scientific fields such as biotechnology, environmental chemistry, environmental acoustics, microbiology, ecology and
environmental remediation.
Collaborators
- ANAS SpA (Italian National Autonomous Roads Corporation)
- University of Palermo, Italy
- University of Perugia, Italy
- Inso System (SME operating in the field acoustic insulation), Italy
- University of Milan, Italy
- University of Florence, Italy
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