Blackpool Council has managed to save £1m and filled in more than 5,000 potholes by using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to detect road damage.
The successful pilot has seen the council use the technology to detect potholes and other damage via space satellite image capturing. The results are sent to the highways team to decide what action to take.
Since last summer, the council has filled 5,145 potholes and saved over £1m compared to using traditional methods.
It will now be the first local authority to roll out the use of AI technology to improve its road maintenance efficiency.
Cllr Fred Jackson, the council’s cabinet member responsible for Highways, said: ‘Project Amber and the use of artificial intelligence is another forward thinking and innovative approach that will deliver not only significant savings but will also benefit all road users.’
Steve Berry, head of local roads at the Department for Transport, added: ‘We hope that Project Amber will act as a showcase of what can be achieved by local authorities working in partnership with the supply chain to achieve lower whole life costs in highway maintenance through the use of surface treatments.’
