The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is gearing up to introduce an advanced AI-powered monitoring system on nearly 40,000 km of national highways. The initiative aims to make road management more efficient and data-driven. At the heart of the project is a system called Dashcam Analytics Services (DAS), which uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to monitor road conditions. Under this setup, high-resolution dashboard cameras will be installed on Route Patrol Vehicles (RPVs). These vehicles will regularly survey all sections of the highway, continuously capturing video footage and images that will be analyzed by AI-based models. The system is capable of automatically identifying more than 30 types of defects and anomalies, the authority said. This includes common problems such as potholes, cracks, and road surface wear. By reducing reliance on manual inspection, the technology is expected to help detect problems faster and enable faster maintenance action. In addition to pavement quality, the system will also monitor critical infrastructure elements such as lane markings, crash barriers, street lights, and road signs. It will further detect safety concerns such as unauthorized median openings, illegal hoardings, roadside obstructions, and improper parking. Other maintenance issues including water logging, blocked drainage, vegetation growth, and condition of bus shelters will also be covered under this monitoring system.
To strengthen safety checks, NHAI will also periodically conduct night-time surveys. At least one survey per month will be conducted at night to evaluate the visibility and performance of road markings, reflectors, and highway lighting systems to ensure that roads remain safe even in low-light conditions. The entire system will be supported by a central digital platform that includes dedicated modules for data management, AI analytics, and interactive dashboards. The platform will allow authorities to track road conditions in real time, compare data over time and monitor the progress of repair work more effectively. For smooth implementation, NHAI has divided the country into five zones, enabling better monitoring and quick response to issues flagged by the system. With this rollout, the authority aims to shift to a more proactive approach to highway maintenance, using real-time data and automation to keep roads in better condition.
