AI to be used to spot potholes and aid repairs

Computer vision cameras fitted to dashboards inside Surrey Highways vehicles will spot potholes

AI will be used by a county council to to detect potholes in a bid to speed up road repairs.

Computer vision cameras fitted to dashboards inside Surrey County Council's highways vehicles will spot and photograph potholes which will then be automatically recorded for repair.  

Future enhancements will also see other defects, such as missing signs and overgrown foliage, programmed for repair.

The council explained that highways inspectors would no longer need to step onto the road, which would make the process safer and more efficient.

Potholes that do not need immediate attention will also be regularly tracked to ensure they are dealt with when needed, the council added.

Matt Furniss, the council's cabinet member for highways, transport, and economic growth, said almost £300m had been allocated to repair and improve Surrey's roads until 2028.

"We're also resurfacing more roads and pavements than ever with 100 miles of roads and 30 miles of pavements resurfaced by our highways teams from April – December 2024 alone.  

"This will make our highway network more resilient which will reduce the number of potholes that develop on our roads in the first place."

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