Advancing safety inspections: the case for change

The way in which roads are designed; maintained and inspected has stayed the same for many years. Many local authorities are facing an increasing squeeze on budgets and remain risk averse when it comes to trailing new ways of doing things. Safety though remains a number one priority for councils and they must regularly inspect the roads they’re responsible for by way of statutory obligation. The way in which these inspections are done can be time consuming; but they are vital for keeping roads safe and provide authorities with critical evidence necessary for defending against claims. Technology can play an important role in advancing how these inspections are carried out and help move the sector away from traditional approaches. Capturing data which highlights safety defects across inspection routes can support decisions made by safety inspectors and the benefits can be even wider than this. The information can also be used to drive maintenance efficiencies which ultimately means councils can increase mobility; reduce congestion and reap the social; economic and environmental benefits of smooth; longer-lasting and safer roads.