Research
Technical Services Group | QFleet | QBuild
The Department of Public Works continually looks for new and better ways of improving the "built" environment to ensure the best possible quality of life for all Queenslanders.
Just some of the areas of research the Department is involved in are indoor air quality; development of energy-efficient buildings; the use of web-based technologies in the design, planning and management of building and construction projects; ecologically and economically sustainable building products and practices; an energy rating standard for housing, water conservation in schools and other government buildings, and reduction of gas emissions through trial of fuel-efficient vehicles.
Technical Services Group
The Technical Services Group undertakes applied research, development and demonstration of new building technologies, products and practices that will lead to improvements in the environmental and economic sustainability of the Queensland Government’s buildings and facilities, as well as for Queensland’s private and commercial built infrastructure.
The Technical Services Group works closely with Queensland’s research institutions and industry in developing, evaluating and demonstrating innovative technologies that can improve building performance.
Technical Services’ applied research activities are focused on energy efficiency and water conservation, together with healthy indoor environments, and improved community health and quality of life – all of which can be influenced by building design, construction and operation.
Amongst other technologies and systems, the Technical Services Group has developed an innovative “hybrid” air conditioning system offering significant gains in energy efficiency. Applications have been made to patent the technology.
Technical Services has also produced a guide for new air conditioning design temperatures for Queensland. The relevant information can be found in the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH)’s EcoLibrium (February 2006 edition) at http://www.airah.org.au/
Technical Services Group has worked closely with the Cooperative Research Centre for Construction Innovation on the development of a life cycle assessment design tool for architects and other building design professionals. This tool is designed to interface with 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) software applications to enable rapid assessment of the environmental credentials of any particular building design.
The Group has also led development of a web-based guide to assist home builders, owners and occupiers reduce the risks of bush fire damage when building or living in bush fire prone areas. This guide can be found at http://www.bushfiremitigation.qld.gov.au/
QFleet
QFleet is actively supporting research in pursuit of improved fleet safety outcomes for the community and Queensland Government drivers. This research, being undertaken by the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety Queensland (CARRS-Q), aims to create safer driver behaviours, and reduces the frequency and severity of crashes involving the Government fleet.
As manufacturers release new vehicles onto the Australian market, QFleet evaluates selected models to determine their suitability for inclusion in the Queensland Government fleet. This enables QFleet to provide clients with advice in selecting fit-for-purpose vehicles.
Further information on QFleet’s activities can be found on the QFleet web site.
QBuild
QBuild has conducted key research and development initiatives such as:
- water conservation at public facilities through a structured process of auditing, retro-fitting and waste-water recycling activities;
- energy conservation auditing at schools to help reduce excessive electricity costs and also identification under-capacity electrical systems;
- enhancing building condition and assessment services to provide asset owners and managers with more strategic maintenance planning and information.
