Gaist has been appointed as the roads data and intelligence provider on a key framework – a win that will see it continue to play a central part in the post-pandemic build back.
The digital mapping company has been nominated as the preferred supplier to the latest renewed Roads Asset Management System (RAMS) framework – a four-year framework which runs until 2025.
Established by Blackpool Council, the framework provides a route for local authorities across the country to access services and future innovations from Gaist which can help them to better manage and maintain their vital infrastructure. Future innovations and data services include dynamic data and holistic service offerings.
Gaist has supplied services under a previous contract with Blackpool for seven years. Following this appointment, it will be responsible for both data collection, deterioration mapping, life-cycle modelling and professional services to help Blackpool and other authorities to understand the medium to long term deterioration of their highways networks and model the implications of any given investment/maintenance regime.
The company has has built a reputation both in the UK and internationally around the quality of data it captures and the depth of analysis it is able to provide to its clients – which include civils, telecoms and utilities group and ‘smart’ mobility operators such as AppyWay, as well as local authorities and central governments around the world. Globally Gaist is already using it’s state of the art services to help partners in Japan, Latin America, Spain with other discussions underway.
Its carriageway and footway surveys provide a depth of roads intelligence all of which is supported by HD imagery which has not previously been available and is industry leading.
Its innovative approach, which includes the increased use of Artificial Intelligence to help it analyse vast volumes of data at pace, and the richness of the intelligence it provides, is helping to revolutionise how risk is managed across the road network.
Well-maintained and safe, roads and footways are a critical enabler to the Government’s plans to make ‘active travel’ a permanent fixture following the pandemic. The additional data innovations and services Gaist will be bringing will help improve efficiency, safety, carbon reduction and increased data value for funding decisions or budget prudency.
Steve Birdsall CEO, Gaist, said: “Everyone at Gaist is very proud that we have been selected to provide a range of asset management related data services via the RAMS framework. For a number of years now the demand for our services has been growing rapidly as more and more local highways authorities and road maintenance contractors recognise the quality, value and cost effectiveness of our solutions that are transforming our client’s understanding of their networks.
“For our existing and future customers, the ability to procure our data services via the framework and therefore avoiding the time and cost overhead of having to go to tender is a significant benefit. Gaist is currently delivering significant savings for a large number of network operators across the whole of the UK and the RAMS framework will allow us to expand the savings and benefits we bring to more and more of the industry.
“I am very excited to announce that number of the services we will be delivering through RAMS involve new and exciting technological developments that will reshape our understanding of roads forever.”
Will Britain, President of the Local Council Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG), added: “With the expiry of the original four-year agreement, we are pleased to announce a complete refresh of the RAMS framework and have raised the bar to incorporate the very latest technology to drive innovation over the next four years in highways service delivery.
“We are proud to announce the updated RAMS framework, continuing to enable progressive councils to access to the best technology to support their ambitious maintenance programmes and funding bids for the next four years and beyond. The framework can be used by any local authority in the UK and has been used extensively in its previous iteration by the Department for Transport (DfT) to deliver groundbreaking projects and services.
“Local authorities can now continue to secure the expertise and knowledge of specialist providers Gaist, providing them with the most accurate data services and modelling capabilities available and enabling them to build strong business cases to attract further funding. LCRIG are committed to driving innovation across the highways sector and Gaist are central to our commitment to bring the next wave of innovation and positive change in local authority service delivery through the RAMS framework.”
