Monitoring construction sites with drones
Increased road safety with innovative drone construction site monitoring system.
Work Zone Monitoring
Increased road safety with innovative drone construction site monitoring system.
The maintenance of motorways is essential to ensure the functionality and safety of roads, but construction sites, especially those with lane closures, may disrupt traffic and increase the risk of accidents. This calls for an innovative approach using emerging technologies to monitor and analyse traffic data, with the aim of enhancing security, minimising risk and identifying the factors that contribute to that risk, in order to take targeted and timely action.
The use of drones (UAS) represents an advanced solution, offering precise and detailed monitoring of construction site areas, as well as information on the interaction between vehicles and between vehicles and road infrastructure. Drones collect visual and spatial data that optimise traffic and safety management. The strength of drone videos is that they allow us to observe the interaction between vehicles and road elements, such as guardrails, cones and lanes. Drones offer a full view of the surrounding environment.
A study conducted on 32 construction sites along 11 stretches of Italian motorways demonstrated the effectiveness of drones, in conjunction with the development of new AI models, in collecting crucial traffic data, such as volume, speed, measured safety surrogates such as sudden braking and, guiding improvements in the layout and signage of construction sites. The drones were operated in VLOS (Visual Line of Sight) mode, complying with ENAC (Italian Civil Aviation Authority) regulations. The data collected were analysed using advanced computer vision and convolutional neural networks techniques, which provided detailed information on driver behaviour and risk factors associated with construction sites.
The result of this study is an innovative methodology that uses artificial intelligence to analyse the behaviour of motorway drivers and optimise safety strategies. This technology allows risk factors to be managed quickly and efficiently, improving road layout and traffic signs, reducing the risk of accidents on construction sites.
Research & Development
We collaborate with startups, research centers and universities, in Italy and abroad, to develop solutions that improve operational processes and introduce new features, making mobility more efficient, safe and sustainable. As the technology hub of the Autostrade per l’Italia Group, we are committed to developing advanced solutions for improving mobility, with applications ranging from motorways to urban infrastructure.