Surrey County Council vehicles will use cameras to spot potholes and schedule them for repair. The council aims to speed up road repairs with AI technology.
Dashboard-mounted cameras in Surrey’s highway vehicles will capture images of potholes, which will then be automatically logged for repairs. This advanced system eliminates the need for manual inspections by highways officers, enhancing safety and efficiency.
Expanding Capabilities and Long-Term Improvements
Future upgrades to the system will enable it to identify additional issues, such as missing road signs and overgrown vegetation. These defects will also be scheduled for maintenance to ensure road safety and usability.
The council noted that even non-urgent potholes will be regularly monitored to address them when necessary. This proactive approach aims to improve long-term road quality and reduce recurring issues.
Matt Furniss, Surrey’s cabinet member for highways, transport, and economic growth, highlighted the council’s significant investment in infrastructure. Nearly £300 million has been set aside to repair and upgrade roads across the county by 2028.
“We are resurfacing more roads and pavements than ever before,” Furniss said. “From April to December 2024 alone, our teams resurfaced 100 miles of roads and 30 miles of pavements. This work will make Surrey’s roads more resilient, helping prevent potholes from forming in the future.”