AI-Powered Scanner for Detecting Potential Issues in Roadways
Hertfordshire County Council is exploring a new artificial intelligence (AI) technology that could help identify potential potholes before they become problematic. The council has been trialling Robotiz3d’s ARRES Eye, an AI scanner designed to be mounted on normal maintenance vehicles. This device scans the road surface as usual duties are carried out and detects defects such as potholes or cracks.
Phil Bibby, executive councillor for highways, commented that preventing issues is more effective than reacting after they occur. “We know prevention is better than cure,” he said. “Trialling technology like this to prevent potholes forming in the first place [and] fits well into our long-term strategy.”
The ARRES Eye provides real-time data about defect dimensions, location, and severity on a remote screen. This allows highways engineers to plan road resurfacing programmes and pothole fixes more effectively. The council has been working closely with Robotiz3d scientists to refine the technology.
Initial trials were conducted last year on a short route before being reintroduced for long-term testing in Hertfordshire County. Over several months, using laser technology to scan the road surface, tiny changes like widening cracks can be detected during winter weather conditions, which typically worsen roads and cause potholes.
“We know that our residents care about roads and pavements in the county,” Bibby added. “The changeable weather we’ve had over the last few months, including excessive rainfall and long periods of colder weather, all contribute to potholes appearing and a decline in road surfaces.”
While fixing potholes remains challenging for the council, they believe that this new AI technology could help identify issues at an early stage. The council has proposed increasing its next year’s highway maintenance budget by 6 million to address these challenges effectively.
The implementation of such advanced technologies in infrastructure management not only helps improve road conditions but also enhances public safety and satisfaction with local services.
