Drones to be used to pinpoint road defects and hazards
LDRSHighways engineers are to deploy special drones to help identify hard-to-reach defects and hazards with road infrastructure.
The technology has been trialled in Dunstable Road and St Margaret's Road in Thurrock, Essex, where steep embankments, dense vegetation and confined spaces can often make traditional inspections difficult.
Specialist drones with high-resolution cameras and GPS technology allow surveyors to capture detailed images and condition data without putting staff at risk.
"Using new technology like this can help us inspect our highway infrastructure more safely, quickly and efficiently," Thurrock Council leader Richard Bingley said.
LDRSHe added: "These surveys give our engineers detailed information without needing staff to enter difficult or hazardous locations, helping us identify issues earlier and make better decisions about maintenance and repairs.
"It is a good example of how we can use innovation to improve the way we look after important infrastructure across Thurrock."
The surveys have been carried out by specialist contractor ProDroneWorx, which uses advanced imaging technology to create digital records of structures and identify defects requiring further investigation.
The information gathered will help the council prioritise maintenance work, target repairs and inform future investment in its highway network.
The trial forms part of Thurrock Council's wider effort to use technology to improve services, reduce risks and better protect key public assets.
The authority has previously used drones to gather photographic evidence in planning enforcement investigations, particularly on sites that are difficult to access by conventional means.
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