AZORES | Regional Government acquired electric lifting platform for geomorphological risk mitigation
The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, attended the delivery of a new electric lifting platform in São Miguel last Friday, which was acquired under the PRISMAC project. The equipment will significantly enhance the Azores’ capacity to mitigate geomorphological risks.
PRISMAC is based on three key pillars and involves three regions of Macaronesia sharing challenges associated with slope instability. With an expected duration of four years, the project includes the development and harmonisation of susceptibility analysis methodologies, the implementation of monitoring programmes, warning and alarm systems, and the creation of a network for collaboration, capacity building and public engagement.
In the Azores, the consortium comprises the Regional Directorate for Public Works (lead partner), the Regional Civil Engineering Laboratory (LREC), under the administration of the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, the University of the Azores and the Gaspar Frutuoso Foundation.
Among the planned strategic investments, a new electric lifting platform was purchased at a total cost of €123,540.
According to Berta Cabral, this equipment “plays a crucial role in the survey, inspection and clearance of slopes located within the Ribeira Quente basin, an area known for its high geomorphological risk, covering the Ribeira Quente Regional Road and Povoação.”
The Regional Secretary also highlighted that the new platform “directly integrates the component of the project dedicated to identifying areas at high risk of landslides, significantly improving the operational safety of the Road Services teams at the Regional Directorate for Public Works, as well as the effectiveness, speed and accuracy of maintenance work.”
The new equipment will also strengthen collaboration among the Regional Directorate for Public Works, the Regional Civil Engineering Laboratory and the University of the Azores, facilitating the collection and analysis of geological, geotechnical and slope monitoring data. This will be essential for scientific research and the development of new risk mitigation methodologies within the PRISMAC framework.
In addition, the platform will boost the operational capacity of the Road Services Maintenance Division, equipping them with modern and suitable resources for regular maintenance and inspection work. This will help maintain the regional road network and carry out interventions in adjacent areas with more demanding technical requirements.
Berta Cabral concluded that, with this purchase, the Regional Government “is reinforcing its commitment to road safety, natural hazard management and territorial resilience, thereby consolidating the Azores as a leading region in scientific and technical cooperation within the Macaronesia region.”
GRA/RÁDIOILHÉU
