NYC’s Inflatable Tunnel Plug will stop Floods and Smoke

A device called “tunnel plug” will be used in subway system in New York City, to help halt the rising tides, floods and gas, from hurricanes like Sandy. Image by Governor Andrew Cuomo on Flickr

The strong inflatable tube 32 feet long and 16 feet wide, designed to store in the tunnel’s ceiling, can fill “every nook and cranny of the tunnel when expand, halting not only flood waters, but also smoke from fires, gas attacks, and other perils.”

The large inflatable cylinder filled at 17 to 25 psi, is strong enough to hold 35,000 gallons of water.

When the system will be installed, local authorities would be able to remotely activate multiple plugs along the impacted line.

Dave Cadogan, Director of Engineering at ILC Dover, told Physorg:

“We used the same design and manufacturing techniques we use in space suits and inflatable space habitats. The webbings and underlying layers form a tough barrier that is strong and resilient.”