Brimbank Council’s innovative 5G-based solution research project has reached a milestone with the artificial intelligence developed able to detect damaged road signs and dumped rubbish.
The Mobile 5G Internet of Things solution for data driven road asset maintenance is being delivered in partnership with Swinburne University of Technology and Optus.
High resolution stereo vision cameras and GPS sensors were fitted onto 11 waste collection trucks to gather data during their usual rounds across Council’s 900km road network.
The technology documents visual evidence of damaged signs and dumped rubbish and pin-points their exact location on a municipality map dashboard.
This data enables Council to explore the possibilities of asset monitoring and automated notifications of maintenance requirements in real-time. The project’s next phase is to integrate this into Council’s digital systems and processes.
“This innovative 5G-based solution research project allows us to explore the possibilities of more efficient ways we can identify which assets need maintenance and how we can get this information to our work crews to respond,” says Brimbank Mayor Cr Jasmine Nguyen.
“Our exciting project milestone shows evidence that artificial intelligence can not only capture an image but identify something that should not be there, such as graffiti on a road sign or a mattress dumped along the roadside.
“This research is a great example of how we can incorporate technology into our current processes and optimise our existing services to the Brimbank community.”
Residents had told Council in a community survey that improving the appearance of Brimbank’s roads and roadside spaces is a high priority.
Council manages over 20,000 road signs and receives over 7,000 reports of dumped rubbish every year.
This research also aims to include identifying road maintenance requirements such as potholes and faded line markings.
The research project is supported by $1.18 million Federal Government grant under the Australian 5G Innovation Initiative. The program was created to help small to large businesses test and develop 5G uses, applications, services, and products.
