Digital Twin Lab
A team from JOANNEUM RESEARCH is conducting a highly accurate 3D survey using a measurement vehicle for this purpose (Digital Twin Lab) of the municipal roads and subsequently derives a digital twin of the entire road surface, making all road damages visible in detail. AI algorithms analyze this information and create precise models that allow for well-organized planning. Patrick Luley, head of the Digital Twin Lab in Carinthia, explains: "We are developing AI-based detectors and classifiers for road damage that utilize 3D survey data to automatically determine the condition of the roads." The advantages are obvious: damages are detected early, and repairs are efficiently planned. This saves time and costs. At the same time, precise planning increases safety, as roads can be better maintained, keeping wear and tear, and thus traffic disruptions, to a minimum.
How does it work? The approximately 60 kilometers of municipal roads in Frantschach – St. Gertraud are driven in each direction once. A repeat is only necessary if the traffic volume is so high that individual vehicles obscure damages. This creates a grid from above, with colors marking the damages. Depending on the color (traffic light system), one can identify which damages are the most critical.
Mayor Günther Vallant is convinced of the success of the innovation partnership: "With the targeted data from the Digital Twin Lab, we create an objective assessment of the damages and thus a decision-making aid for prioritizing repairs. This allows us to use the budget in a targeted, transparent, and sensible way." The responsible State Councillor, Daniel Fellner, adds: "The data from digital twins is a cost-effective way to monitor the condition of roads and should be used more frequently in the future. Repairing the worst damages first makes the roads safer and preserves budgets."
A look into the future reveals even more potential. Autonomous systems, such as self-operating robots, could soon take over road repairs. They could detect and repair damages on-site based on the data from digital twins. While these technologies are still in the development phase, pilot projects and prototypes are showing promising results. The trends towards smarter, connected cities suggest that AI and digital twins will soon play a central role in road maintenance.
