The forest road network requires regular maintenance. It is subject to considerable stress due to precipitation, frost, drought, and heavy vehicle traffic, among other factors.
In Germany, a research project called « Contura » has developed a measurement system capable of automatically identifying the necessary maintenance measures and their associated costs. Preventive road maintenance could reduce maintenance costs by up to 80%.
As part of the project, optical sensors are fitted to vehicles that record the condition of forest roads while in transit. The data are then subjected to AI-based analysis: a computational tool determines the repair work required.
A video explains how the system works and its key advantages (in German).