THE number of pothole-related breakdowns has jumped three-fold according to a survey released by the RAC today.
The motoring group reports that its patrols rescued 4,694 drives who had ‘most likely’ broken down as a result of hitting a pothole in the first here months of 2021 – the equivalent of 52 drivers every day.
The report is the latest in a stream to highlight the ever-deteriorating condition of our local road network – an asset valued at £400 billion according to the Department for Transport. (English Local Road Network)
And it comes at a time when ‘active travel’ is positioned as a centre-piece of the post-pandemic build-back.
With Boris Johnson promising a return to a ‘golden era’ of cycling, now, more than ever, we need our local road network to be well-functioning, smooth and above all – safe.
The secret sauce: Data
At Gaist, we recognised over a decade ago, that a key ‘tool’ in the battle to fix our pothole-plagued road network is data.
Since then, we have amassed the most up-to-date digital roadscape map available, anywhere. Our map is a continuously updating picture of every asset and feature of our roads and footways.
And using our advanced digital and automated processes we supply our customers – local authorities, central government departments and asset owners – with the highest level of detail, analysis and modelling of their infrastructure.
Armed with this ‘digital twin’ of their asset they can answer the key questions:
- What are the priority areas?
- Where should we target our spending?
- At what rate is this area of our network deteriorating?
They can better target spending and take a proactive – rather than a ‘patch-up’ approach towards maintaining our roads, ultimately ensuring smoother, safer roads for all.
For further information on how Gaist supports asset owners with the provision of the richest insights possible into the condition of the road and roadscape, contact Jake.Lawson@gaist.co.uk
