
Vaisala offers inspection software to road maintenance authorities and contractors
The environmental and industrial measurement company Vaisala is offering UK local authorities, government and road maintenance contractors free access to its Road AI system to support lone workers carrying out safety inspections during the Coronavirus lockdown.
The ITS (UK) member’s system allows users on the road to collect video, make notes and share via a map interface with remote-working colleagues. It is being offered free for a limited time while the present social distancing rules are in place.
Video is collected using an Android smartphone app, with the phone mounted on the windscreen of any vehicle. It allows video to be collected of an entire driven inspection route, with the user able to drop pins and add audio notes to the data which can later be reviewed to highlight issues found on inspection. The video and notes are uploaded via WiFi or mobile networks, with all of it anonymised and GDPR compliant. It is processed and available within two hours.
“Over the past week, I have been learning how operational teams have rapidly implemented resilience level service delivery, with reduced staffing levels, and lone worker policies being implemented in many places,” explained Ben Brown, Business Development Manager, Computer Vision, at Vaisala. “I have also been hearing how many of our clients are using our Road AI system to support lone workers carrying out safety inspections. We are offering this as a token of thanks to those in key services protecting the vulnerable and keeping critical services and supply lines open. Our offer includes free online training.”
“This is a great example of how the country is coming together to find new ways of working during the present, unprecedented, measures in place,” said Darren Capes, of the Transport Technology Forum. “I’d like to thank Vaisala for their idea which will really help highways authorities and contractors continue to do their job in very difficult circumstances. It is only right that we support and promote this sort of initiative.”
Vaisala says those wanting to learn more should email weathersales.UK@vaisala.com with contact details and one of the Computer Vision team will get in touch as soon as possible.