CHANDIGARH: Road maintenance operations in Chandigarh are all set to go high-tech with a combination of artificial intelligence and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools used for real-time analysis of road conditions and maintenance needs. MC started a project where he assessed the condition of 200 km of roads using AI and GIS. Work begins after the model code of conduct is removed. The MC has a total road network of 1,800km under its jurisdiction. If successful, the project will be expanded across the network. “The MC has introduced Al and GIS to assess and monitor the condition of roads.As per the norms, the MC approves re-carpeting of roads after five years of last carpeting; Over the years, AI tools have observed that some roads require repainting even after 3 years, while others do not need to be repainted even after 6-7 years. It will help quickly assess the condition of the car and determine if the carpet needs to be re-installed. This will be done based on the road surface conditions,” the official said. This will also serve as a monitoring tool for engineers and police officers to identify the causes of premature road deterioration and take remedial measures accordingly. “A pilot project has been launched to assess the condition of 200km of roads. The goals of the project are to identify potholes and irregularities, monitor flooding, identify the condition of road signs and fill gaps, and improve smooth traffic flow. The goal is to identify obstacles to the flow of information,” the official said. The evaluation results are uploaded to his GIS layer of roads with annual/monthly data of updates and supplemented with adopted specifications, so planning can be completed in one click and no duplication is avoided. His DG (audit) letter last year took a critical view of the MC's road re-carpeting work and recommended the use of AI-based surveys. The MC discontinued the re-carpeting in response to his DG's letter. The Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) then requested the administration to carry out the carpet re-upholstery work as per the IRC (Indian Road Congress) and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) specifications and guidelines. How does it work?Chandigarh administration has a GIS-based 3D map of the city including road network. Manual analysis of road maintenance is an expensive and difficult process. AI enables early detection of damage at a much lower cost and time. Vehicles such as waste trucks and recycling trucks equipped with AI cameras spot potholes and cracks during regular patrols. AI algorithms analyze data to find early signs of wear on roads and bridges. This allows the MC to perform repairs quickly. The data is fed into his GIS-based 3D map. “All this information will be available on the desktop of senior officials to make timely decisions regarding road recarpeting.”
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