# Prodigious Subway Plugs The Resilient Tunnel Project Has Produced an Enormous Flood Stopper By Amelia Roblin | Published 2013-11-01 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/resilient-tunnel-project References: [archinect](http://archinect.com/news/article/85445474/giant-tunnel-plug-could-limit-future-subway-flood-damage) & [popularmechanics](http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/engineering/infrastructure/the-inflatable-35000-gallon-subway-plug-7795767) The Resilient Tunnel Project came to the same marvelously simple conclusion that might have been suggested by a young child. When questioning the best solution for slowing the impact of [underground flooding](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grain-collective), it was decided that a giant tunnel plug was necessary to do the job. Really, it's brilliant. What you see is an oblong [inflatable ball](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stuff-bubble) that measures 32 feet in length and 16 feet in height and has a capacity of 35,000 gallons. It can be blown up in under half an hour from its deflated state and stored conveniently and compactly at just 20 inches thick against the [subway tunnel wall](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/masterpeace-painting). The DHS Science and Technology Directorate describes the Resilient Tunnel Project as a groundbreaking piece of equipment that could quite quickly inhibit the spread of water, fire and gas in the metro. Photo Credits: [silive](http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/10/cuomo_mta_strengthening_lower.html) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 16% | Activity: 64% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Inventions](https://www.trendhunter.com/inventions) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Resilient Tunnel Project:** The Resilient Tunnel Project's giant tunnel plug presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in underground flood prevention. - **Inflatable Ball:** The oblong inflatable ball used in the Resilient Tunnel Project could spur disruptive innovation in storage and deployment of emergency equipment. - **Metro Safety:** The Resilient Tunnel Project's ability to inhibit the spread of water, fire, and gas in the metro opens up new possibilities for disruptive innovation in underground safety measures. ### Where This Applies - **Infrastructure:** The Resilient Tunnel Project has applications in the infrastructure industry, offering disruptive innovation for flood prevention in tunnels. - **Emergency Management:** The inflatable ball used in the Resilient Tunnel Project has potential for disruptive innovation in emergency management, particularly in storage and transportation of emergency equipment. - **Transportation:** The Resilient Tunnel Project's impact on metro safety has implications for disruptive innovation in the transportation industry, creating opportunities for improved safety measures in underground systems. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Unsinkable Metal Vessel Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aluminum-tubes.md) - [Bio-Cement Oceanic Structures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reef-rocket.md) - [Semi-Amphibious Bus Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/estuary-hopper.md) - [Subterranean Garden Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thames-tideway-tunnel.md) - [Flexible Concrete Water Tanks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inflatable-concrete-tanks.md) - [Canadian Waterfall Tunnels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/niagara-parks.md) - [Knitted New York Subways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/straphangers-lounge.md) - [Sandwich-Inspired Water Slides](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dip-n-slides.md) - [Self-Defence Tubular Inflatable Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/street-seat.md)