Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, is also known as the capital of Vandhar. The total population of Tamil Nadu is 7 crore, but Chennai, a small district of Tamil Nadu, is home to more than one crore people.

The Chennai Corporation is taking many initiatives to cope with such a large crowd and regulate traffic! In that regard, now the Chennai Corporation will monitor Chennai’s roads using AI technology!

AI technology in Chennai Corporation

The Chennai Corporation (GCC) is going to launch an AI-based fully automated system to assess the condition of roads and pedestrian paths, covering 419 km. Bus routes and 100 km. Footpaths. At an annual cost of Rs. 24.75 lakh, the project is expected to improve the maintenance and demand for Chennai’s roads and pedestrian paths.

Pre- and post-monsoon survey

The project, which was tendered on March 6, will conduct surveys using RoadMetrics technology twice a year – before and after the monsoon season. According to the tender document, RoadMetrics will be responsible for planning the survey, collecting data, analysing it, providing detailed reporting and ensuring that the processed data is mapped on a web-based GIS platform.

Quality analysis of Chennai roads

A dedicated person from RoadMetrics will be appointed to collect video data of the road and pavement, conduct road condition surveys using smartphones and GoPro cameras, which will then be processed and analysed by AI algorithms to generate detailed reports on road conditions. This will enable a fitness analysis of Chennai’s roads.

Images, maps, charts

The collected data will be mapped on a web-based GIS platform, providing a bird’s eye view of road conditions, helping authorities visualise the findings with images, maps, charts and graphs. The data will also be uploaded to the mobile RoadMetrics data collection app, which will make all the data visible to the municipality.

All defects will be detected

Detailed reports will include insights into road defects including minor, moderate and severe potholes, crocodile cracks, vertical and horizontal cracks (classified from level 0-4, from early stage to late stage of deterioration), calculation of road maintenance budgets and recommendations for repairs.

It’s time to maintain road infrastructure

For pavement assessment and asset mapping, it will include a colour-coded segment view to highlight stretches that require immediate attention, and will also provide a list of over 50 types of street signs, traffic signals and other assets such as lights based on the guidelines of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). This initiative is expected to ensure timely and data-driven decisions for the maintenance of the city’s road infrastructure.