The Kiely Group has added an artificial intelligence (AI) visual monitoring system to its toolkit, using a camera and machine learning to inspect road surfaces in real-time.
The firm, which is thought to be the largest privately owned road surface maintenance company in the UK, said the 3DAI City AI camera tool can analyse road surfaces, create a plan for repairs to existing potholes and predict in advance where potential potholes could form.
In an announcement to mark National Pothole Day, it said this gives it the opportunity to repair existing potholes at the same time as preventing new ones, without needing costly and inconvenient road closures.
Picture: What the phone sees
Managing director Mike Kiely said: ‘Potholes are a bane for many people attempting to make simple everyday journeys. We know that preventative surface dressing is a cheaper and more effective way to repair and prevent potholes, but now we have the technology to support us to deliver effective interventions quickly.
‘With the help of AI, we can deliver timely and preventative works to avoid potholes and help all road users have smoother, safer and more enjoyable journeys. By delivering a solution to prevent potholes we can also help local authorities save costs in the long run.’
Picture: How the tool interprets the image
The Kiely Group has also invested in a Multipatcher machine, which carries out surface dressing works to extend the lifespan of the whole road.