West Sussex County Council has introduced new artificial intelligence (AI) technology to support the efficiency of highway inspections.
As part of the multi-year trial, the local authority will introduce dashboard-mounted cameras in eight of its highway inspection vehicles.
The AI-enabled cameras will automatically assess road conditions and pinpoint defects – including potholes, cracking, surface deterioration and faded road markings.
Once footage is collected by the cameras, it will be uploaded into the council's highway asset management system, then reviewed and validated by inspectors.
According to the council, the move could enhance the safety and efficiency of highway inspections, which are currently carried out by inspectors who complete drives of the routes to photograph defects and log information manually.
The new technology could help inspectors avoid time-consuming admin tasks and prevent them needing to leave their vehicles on busy roads. It will also enable inspectors to dedicate more time to other operational activities, the council hopes.
The trial will also involve the exploration of possible environmental changes – for example, limiting unnecessary journeys and decreasing fuel use via more efficient inspection processes.
Cllr Erika Woodhurst-Trueman, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at West Sussex County Council, said: ‘Improving our roads remains a key priority and this trial forms part of our wider Better Roads commitment.
‘Alongside investment in repairs and resurfacing, we're exploring how new technology could help us work smarter, improve the information we collect and encourage more consistent and informed decision-making across our highways network.’
