The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to modernize highway operations with the introduction of an AI-powered Dashcam Analytics Services (DAS) system across nearly 40,000 kilometres of the national highway network. The initiative is designed to improve road maintenance, enhance safety and enable data-driven management through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).
Under the project, specialized dashboard cameras will be installed on Route Patrol Vehicles (RPVs), which will conduct weekly surveys of highway stretches. These cameras will capture high-resolution images and videos, allowing AI-powered models to automatically identify more than 30 types of road defects and anomalies. This includes potholes, pavement cracks, rutting, damaged lane markings, faulty crash barriers and non-functional streetlights.
The system will also help authorities detect safety concerns such as illegal median openings, unauthorized signboards, encroachments and improper parking. In addition, periodic night-time surveys will assess the visibility of road signs, lane markings, road studs and highway lighting to ensure safer driving conditions after dark.
By replacing manual inspections with AI-driven monitoring, NHAI aims to identify issues faster, prioritize maintenance efficiently and improve the overall quality and safety of India’s highways. The initiative marks a significant step toward building smarter, technology-enabled transport infrastructure and delivering a safer travel experience for millions of road users across the country.
