Tech plan to keep roads clear

Hi-tech systems will be employed to ensure 5,800 miles of road in North Yorkshire stay open this winter even during severe weather.

Artificial intelligence, computer modelling and live data as well as cutting-edge sensors to check road surface temperatures and moisture levels will be used by North Yorkshire County Council to closely monitor thousands of miles of roads.

The county council’s highways team has already invested in equipment to provide it with the most up-to-date weather information. The last tranche of investment was more than £500,000.

Now, the council is building on a working relationship of more than 20 years with Vaisala, a global leader in weather, environmental, and industrial measurements, to improve routine and winter monitoring of its network.

The council’s executive member for highways and transportation, Cllr Keane Duncan, said: “North Yorkshire’s extensive highways network is vital to the everyday lives of the county’s residents, its businesses, tourism industry and wider economic prosperity. That’s why we have a strong track record in putting ourselves at the forefront of technological advances that enable us to make well-informed decisions to help to keep our roads open.

“These latest developments with Vaisala continue that long-standing approach and demonstrate our commitment to ongoing improvement to enable our dedicated teams to support residents, businesses and visitors across the county.”