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Blackpool Council is investing in artificial intelligence to improve its road maintenance programme and save hundreds of thousands of pounds in a move which the Department of Transport hopes will set an example for other councils.
The technology locates pot holes, cracks and general damage. The AI can detect damage in seconds, sending a signal to an operator who uses a colour coding system to decide what steps to take next.
A pilot has already taken place in Anchorsholme and Bispham, which enabled engineers to view the road network using space satellite image capturing. The highways team then inspected the roads and took action.
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