Inspecting busy highways and expressways has always been a formidable challenge. These extensive networks in Hong Kong carry thousands of vehicles daily, making the identification of road defects — such as cracks, discolored markings and other abnormalities — a labor-intensive task. To assist our client, the Highways Department (HyD) of the HKSARG, AECOM was commissioned to develop the GeoAI Road Defect Detection System (RDDS). By combining geospatial expertise with advanced artificial intelligence, this system automatically detects defects from road images captured by vehicle-based camera systems. The result is a web application platform that displays identified defects, and thus streamlining inspections and improving road safety.
Transforming road safety and efficiency through GeoAI
No longer solely reliant on human inspection, which can at times be subjective and time consuming, automated defect detection ensures that defective road conditions are promptly addressed.
- Safety first: Cracks and worn-out markings may pose risks to road users, but with GeoAI aims to streamline the process, minimizing paperwork and allowing personnel to focus on other critical tasks. The anticipated time and cost savings will benefit communities and taxpayers, as resources are allocated more effectively.
- Predictive insights: GeoAI detects and visualizes defects on a dynamic map. By analyzing patterns, it prioritizes maintenance efforts, ensuring that roads are repaired in a timely manner. This predictive capability transforms road maintenance from a reactive to a proactive process.
Enhancing road maintenance with precision and insight
The RDDS web application platform developed by AECOM displays the identified defects aiming to help inspectors swiftly locate problem areas with precision.
- Map and spatial search: Whether it’s a hairline fracture on a highway, faded markings or a worn-out crosswalk in a neighborhood, this dynamic map harnesses geospatial data to locate issues efficiently and accurately.
- Dashboard insights: The RDDS dashboard compiles statistics on detected defects — how many, where, and the degree of severity — providing engineers and decision-makers with a comprehensive view of road health. This information supports strategic planning and resource allocation, ensuring that road maintenance is both effective and efficient.
- Defect reports for contractors: Clear communication is crucial for timely repairs. Upon identification of defects, our system generates detailed reports for engineers and term contractors. These reports outline the information of each detected defects such as image, size, and locality for easy reference and follow up.
Integrating GIS and AI for sustainable infrastructure
Digital AECOM’s development of the RDDS through the integration of GIS and AI technology aligns with the Highways Department’s mission.
- Enhancing road network quality: The RDDS enhances road network integrity by automatically detecting cracks, faded markings and other defects to facilitate repair works, ensuring road safety and maintaining the network’s quality.
- Efficient maintenance: With geospatial insights and predictive analysis, critical areas for repair can be identified from the RDDS that streamlines resource allocation in a cost-effective manner.
- Long-term prosperity: Safer roads contribute to the community’s well-being by preventing accidents and minimizing disruptions.
The GeoAI Road Defect Detection System developed by AECOM isn’t just about identifying cracks and faded road markings — it’s a transformative leap toward safer, more efficient and sustainable road networks.