AI Technology to Help Detect Potholes Across Surrey Roads
Surrey County Council is introducing artificial intelligence to detect potholes and improve road maintenance. The move aims to speed up repair times while making inspections safer and more efficient.
Dashcam Cameras to Spot Road Damage Automatically
The council will use computer vision cameras fitted to the dashboards of its vehicles plying the highways. These cameras will identify and photograph potholes as vehicles travel around the county. Each identified pothole will be automatically recorded in the system, triggering necessary repairs.
This technology reduces the need for inspectors to walk on busy roads, making the process safer for staff. It also allows the council to track road conditions continuously, providing more data to improve long-term maintenance.
In addition to potholes, future upgrades will enable the system to detect other highway issues such as missing road signs and overgrown vegetation.
Road Repairs Backed by Major Investment
Matt Furniss, cabinet member for highways, transport, and economic growth, confirmed that the council has committed an amount of nearly £300 million to improve roads and pavements by 2028.
“We’re also resurfacing more roads and pavements than ever,” said Furniss. “From April to December 2024 alone, we resurfaced 100 miles of roads and 30 miles of pavements. This will help make our road network more resilient and reduce future potholes.”
The council also plans to monitor potholes that do not require urgent repair. These will be checked regularly to ensure they are fixed at the right time, preventing larger problems later.
A Smarter, Safer Future for Surrey’s Roads
The introduction of AI technology is part of Surrey’s wider strategy to modernise infrastructure. By combining smart tools with long-term investment, the council hopes to improve road conditions and reduce the need for frequent emergency repairs.
with inputs from Reuters
