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.
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:
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.
