Having detailed knowledge of the working environment and existing infrastructure is key to the effective planning, designing and budgeting of maintenance and upgrade projects on the highway network in the utilities and FTTH sector. Gaist data accessed from the desktop, such as surface type and dimensions, can mitigate health & safety risk and reduce costs through negating the need for site surveys, improve efficiency, reduce disruptions and variations through increased information at the scope / specification stages of a scheme.
Gaist can add value to utilities through the whole project life cycle (from feasibility to handover) of upgrade and maintenance works on their buried infrastructure in the highway network.
From initial condition assessment of the carriageway and footway; and asset inventory and location; through assistance with budgeting and prioritising maintenance schemes; improving the designing and planning process; and support during site works; on to on-going monitoring of the re-instatements for warranty claim mitigation.
Using a combination of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and human inspection the images are analysed to provide surface type categories (delivered as contiguous polygons), defect and condition reports and customer specific asset type and location. This information can be delivered as web services through AssetView (Gaist’s proprietary software) or as shape files for use in client specific GIS (Geographic Information System) and other planning applications.
The quality of the re-instatement following a dig or trenching is a key part of the commercial viability of a project and (not least) minimising complaints and claims from residents and the general public. Imagery from Gaist both before and after works can help with taking the subjectivity out of, and improving, the quality of contractor performance; and providing validation information in the event of a subsequent claim without the need for a site survey.
Buried services upgrade and replacement projects can be very costly for utility companies if the surface materials on the carriageway and footway are not understood, planned and accounted for. Some material reinstatements can be more expensive than others, and so building an accurate understanding of material types above buried services will enable cost-effective planning and improved compliance with codes of practice. The current process of visual inspection via site surveys is slow, expensive, open to subjectivity and can safety and security implications for personnel carrying out such surveys on the busy public highway.
Each section of the highway network is assigned a contiguous polygon relating to the surface material type in the verge, footway and carriageway.
At the project feasibility stage by being able to optimise the network route for minimal cost and time by easiest trenching options. At the project design stage through detailed analysis of the network area at a macro and micro level for scoping the works and creating bill of quantities from the desk-top, without the need for site surveys. By having increased knowledge of the working environment and highway conditions before teams are deployed for emergency repairs thereby reducing aborted visits.