Surrey County Council has become one of the first local authorities in the UK to trial the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to spot potholes.

Computer vision cameras, fitted to dashboards inside council vehicles, spot defects and report their location, height, width and depth, along with information gathered by Highway Safety Inspectors. The software can also track the development of potholes that don’t need immediate attention by taking repeat measurements over time to ensure they are dealt with when needed.
AI technology is also being trialled for condition surveys on the highway network and to gather data on traffic movements to help design and review new schemes. Sensors are also being piloted to measure the temperature of the road network to inform decisions about winter gritting.

Cabinet Member for Highways, Matt Furniss, said: “We are always looking at ways to improve Surrey’s roads and keep the county moving.
“We are well aware that potholes are an area of concern for our residents and want to do all we can to help improve this situation. Whilst we have fixed 200, 000 potholes over the last four years, this cutting-edge AI technology can improve how we detect them for safer and even better managed roads. This trial is part of our £200m investment in Surrey’s highways over the next five years which will see us improve approximately 350 miles of road and 180 miles of pavements.

Video courtesy of Surrey County Council