New Pothole Detecting Tech could Improve Roads

Blaenau Gwent council vehicles may be fitted with an innovative pothole detection system soon.

20:35 01 May 2021

An innovative technology that can detect potholes may be introduced by Blaenau Gwent council later this year. The scheme, which is in collaboration with Durham County Council, is being funded by the Government's GovTech Catalyst fund. It was set up to allow the council to explore ways on how to utilise and support services by collecting data using council vehicles. 

 

A report on the programme says: “If successful in detecting defects and potholes, it is hoped that with machine learning it will be possible to develop predictive models to consider degradation of road condition and predict when intervention may be required.

 

“This will support the service area to consider the business case of short term patching versus long term investment in repairing road surfaces.”

 

The trial will conclude in the summer and depending on the result, the council could deploy the system in more vehicles in the borough. 

 

Cllr John Morgan asked during the scrutiny meeting if the system could be used on different types of vehicles, including those that use back roads. Amy Taylor, the team manager for regeneration opportunities said that the council would be trialling the technology on different vehicles but the idea is "it would be deployable on any vehicles".