Artificial intelligence to improve Surrey's Pothole Detection and Road Repairs

AIs’ role in Road Maintenance:

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used by Surrey County Council to address the major issue of road maintenance. The cameras installed in highway vehicles, computer vision cameras, will be used by the council to automatically detect and record potholes, improving the efficiency of repair procedures. Along with detecting other road imperfections like potholes, the AI will also be able to identify overgrown vegetation and missed warning signs, setting the stage for future improvements. This innovative measure ensures that highway inspectors are no longer physically present on the road, making it safer for staff. Regular monitoring will be implemented to detect potholes that don't require immediate repairs, ensuring timely response and making our roads safer with better control, according to the council. According to Matt Furniss, the council’s highways cabinet member, nearly £300 million will be spent on improving Surrey's roads by 2028. Between April and December 2024, its teams resurfaced 100 miles of roads and 30 miles of pavements; Surrey is the first UK council to log pothole repairs using AI alone.