The Local Council Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG) is hosting the latest in a series of webinars designed to facilitate fresh thinking in the industry, with a focus on utilising technology to deliver change.
Delivered in association with Gaist, the webinar will examine the role of technology in driving change in the highways sector, with the following topic areas discussed:
- The importance of data
- Using technology as part of the Covid-19 recovery
- AI – friend or foe?
- The balance between using tech and people
- Is technology making roads safer and cost effective
- How councils are using technology
Local authority highway teams are presented with an abundance of challenges, but above all they must ensure that roads are safe, and they perform.
The technology available to help them do this is advancing all the time but thought must be given to the types of practical suggestions that can help improve digital infrastructure and services across the highways network.
The Government continues to set out ambitious plans for the UK to be at the forefront of digital technology and innovation.
This vision needs to be delivered locally in all regions and requires local highways authorities to be enthusiastic champions and advocates of change.
The need for accurate data has never been more important as it helps local highway authorities to plan, install, design and maintain the roads they’re responsible for.
Some local authorities have started to implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems which can be used to survey a network, and identify not just assets but the condition the assets are in. Results could transform how we monitor our road assets and of course maintain the network. But is AI as reliable as humans yet – this is a question that remains unanswered for now – and one that will be examined during this exclusive webinar.
The discussion – which is taking place at 11am on 11 February 2021 – will challenge the government, local authorities, supply chain and other key players to take forward ideas and actions around this important subject area.
The panel is made up of the following participants: Angus Bodie, former lead of the Scottish Roads Collaboration Programme; Sean Rooney, Head of Service – Highway Maintenance at Oxfordshire County Council; Steve Birdsall, CEO, Gaist; Department for Transport representative (TBC).
The event is being chaired by LCRIG Content Director Alec Peachey who said: “This will be the third LCRIG led webinar that we’ve put on and once again we’re delighted to have secured such a strong panel of speakers to talk about the importance of technology.
“Data is clearly vital in helping local authorities to understand and maintain the roads and assets that they’re responsible for. The discussion will help inform participants of the types of technology available to help them do their jobs and how this ultimately benefits road users. We hope that our members and the wider sector will take the opportunity to hear what the panel have to say and put their questions to them.”
