National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has mandated compulsory use of Network Survey Vehicle (NSV) to monitor and enhance National highways’ conditions.
NSVs capture high resolution images to survey Highways, which have been mandated at the time of certifying completion of project and there after every six months, the procedure has already been made part of standard bidding procedure of consultancy projects.
“In line with its commitment to provide better roads to commuters, NHAI has decided to deploy Network Survey Vehicle (NSV) to enhance quality of the National Highways. Carrying out road condition survey using NSV on the National Highways has been made mandatory at the time of certifying completion of the project and every six months thereafter,” the NHAI said in a statement.
The imagery data collected through NSV survey will be uploaded on Data Lake, NHAI’s AI based portal which be analysed for road conditions to prioritise road maintenance activities by Road Asset Management Cell (RAMS Cell), the pointed out deficiencies in road conditions will be further used to formulate analysis and maintenance strategies, and promote officials and contractors involved in BOT to take necessary steps for better road conditions, and develop better maintenance regime, the document said.
The statement further said, “The deployment will help in enhancing the overall quality of the highways as NSV uses the latest survey techniques such as high-resolution digital camera for 3,600 imagery, record images/videos at regular intervals, laser road profilometer and other related technology for measurement of distresses in road surface,”, it said.
Along with road imagery data, NSV will also help to collate and create database of road side drains, furniture and other amenities, including enhanced safety measures, leading to overall better and safer experience for road users.