National Highways is set to launch a virtual twin of the road network that can predict the time and location of potholes and other maintenance issues. 

The road twinning system will see drawings and static models replaced with digital versions that can identify when maintenance is needed.

According to National Highways, other initiatives that could lead the charge on a digital revolution for roads include intelligent road materials able to repair themselves and more connected and autonomous plant.

Combining ‘live’ data from intelligent materials in the existing road surface with a digital twinning system that visualises the road and its condition will identify when maintenance work is needed, with roads able to repair themselves using self-healing materials. 

Also in use or being developed are connected and autonomous plant, off-site fabrication and modular construction methods. 

These are some of the systems set to be rolled out as part of National Highways’ Digital Roads strategy.

National Highways Executive Director of Strategy and Planning, Elliot Shaw, said: “The Digital Roads journey, the strategy that will create the roads of the future, is huge. It covers every aspect of the roads infrastructure from design and construction, to how roads are operated to the changing experience for all road users.

“Digital Roads will make our roads safer and greener. Improvements and maintenance will be delivered more quickly with less disruption and road users will have a far better end-to-end journey experience, with savings on time and the cost of travel.”