In a landmark announcement during the Gala Dinner on 16 October at the IRF World Congress 2024, held in Istanbul from 15 to 18 October, the International Road Federation (IRF) named TDRI Solutions as the winner of the fourth edition of the IRF Start-up Label. The award was presented to TDRI’s CEO, Damian Butters, by IRF President Dimitris Mandalozis, marking a significant achievement for this New Zealand-based start-up.

TDRI Solutions has quickly become a beacon of innovation in the transportation sector, offering groundbreaking solutions for road maintenance and infrastructure management. By leveraging advanced traffic data analytics and non-invasive moisture measurement technology, TDRI Solutions is transforming how governments and organisations enhance road safety and urban mobility. With a focus on moisture monitoring and data-driven insights, they are paving the way for safer, more resilient, and efficiently maintained road networks.

Now in its fourth iteration, the IRF Start-up Label continues to support and propel promising start-ups in the transportation sector. Launched by the IRF in 2021, this initiative aims to foster innovation and drive change in the transport industry. Winners of the label gain exclusive access to the IRF’s extensive resources for one year, including expert knowledge, networking opportunities, and increased visibility within the global transport community.

TDRI Solutions: The data you need to build resilient roads. A moisture digital twin for your network.

We spoke with Damian Butters, CEO of TDRI Solutions, to learn more about their innovative approach and future plans:

What problem is TDRI Solutions addressing, and how are you solving it?

“We’re very excited to share our subsurface moisture measurement solution with the world. There are many great technologies out there for building better roads, but what lies beneath the surface is often overlooked. The current method for measuring moisture—digging a test pit—is impractical at scale. Our non-invasive, high-speed moisture measurement solution allows us to create complete digital twins of moisture in road networks. This is a key indicator of accelerated pavement failure and can be used to inform drainage maintenance and design, addressing the root cause of pavement issues.”

What motivates the TDRI Solutions team to grow and scale rapidly?

“We see a tremendous opportunity globally. In New Zealand, we’ve had fantastic opportunities to validate our product with innovators, and now we’re eager to share it on a global scale where climate change makes moisture related issues including flooding and freeze/thaw cycles more impactful every year. What excites us most is not only improving pavement quality and infrastructure now but also creating something truly resilient for future generations.”

Where do you see TDRI Solutions in the coming years?

“In the next few years, our focus is on expanding beyond New Zealand. We have a great opportunity in the USA currently, from there we’re excited to explore opportunities in Europe and beyond. What I’ve learned since entering the infrastructure industry is that it takes a global community to adopt and understand new technologies. The IRF and the Start-up Label programme provide the perfect platform to start these conversations and build an understanding of how to use digital moisture twins to their full potential.”

How can the IRF help your business?

“Through the IRF, we have access to a network of industry leaders, government executives, and professionals with extensive experience. This enables us to share our solution and also receive invaluable feedback on how we can refine and best offer it to the world. It’s a tremendous opportunity to learn from those who deeply understand the industry.”

Learn more: https://www.tdrisolutions.com/