This research has the objective to develop and implement substantially advanced systems for underground excavation through the establishment of (1) systems that advance continuously and safely through widely varying conditions, (2) systems that have substantially increased rates of advance, (3) an increased range of applications for mechanized cutting systems, and (4) increased safety of excavation operations. The research planned on continuous, automated excavation processes offers the greatest promise for substantial advances; however, other effort on the application of available and promising techniques that engage the entire excavation system will also be performed. The results of this research could transform today's individual struggles to cope with the hostile underground environment to routine, continuous, automated manufacturing processes. Broadly viewed, this integrated research effort has the goal to extend the benefits of automated manufacturing technologies into the new, unstructured area of tunneling.
