Challenge: Lack of Real-Time and Consistent Road Condition Data

Five years ago, the Pirkanmaa ELY Centre aimed to optimize road maintenance processes by adopting modern digital approaches using computer vision.

Previously, the organisation depended on two contracted inspectors who travelled to reported sites, captured photos of road damages and stored them in an external database.

This process resulted in delays, inconsistent damage assessment due to subjective evaluation, and rising operational costs caused by continuous field visits.

Solution: RoadAI as a Smart and Scalable Monitoring Tool

To access up-to-date and objective insights, the ELY Centre implemented RoadAI to support employees in road inspection and maintenance planning.

  • Works using a regular smartphone mounted inside the vehicle

  • Captures HD footage uploaded directly to a secure cloud service

  • Processes data with computer vision and provides map-based results within hours

Outcome: Remote Access to Accurate Condition Records

With RoadAI, staff can now analyse road conditions instantly and eliminate unnecessary travel, enabling faster, evidence-based decisions.

“We can now review the road network in less than a minute directly from our workplace, instead of spending hours driving.”

Tomi Keisala
Maintenance Manager, Waymo

Benefits: Reliable Detection, Savings, and Long-Term Planning

RoadAI enabled the transition from traditional contractor-based inspections to a smarter service-driven model, reducing expenses and administrative burden.

  • Damage evaluation is now standardized by AI, removing classification inconsistencies between human surveyors

  • Minor defects are identified early and repaired before escalating, preventing double repair costs

  • Archived video records support transparent and traceable liability and compensation processes

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Using Solrad Data Across Industries

Our solrad dataset plays an essential role in many sectors, from energy production to environmental safety.

  • Solar Development: Accurate radiation data ensures efficient placement, orientation, and long-term performance modeling for solar infrastructure.

  • Renewable Resource Forecasting: Businesses can predict energy yield, optimize storage strategies, and improve grid integration.

  • Environmental & Atmospheric Research: Researchers rely on irradiance measurements to study visibility, air quality, and climate impacts.

Strategic Impact: From Reactive Fixing to Preventive Maintenance

Real-time footage and objective severity categorization have empowered the ELY Centre to plan repairs proactively and ensure higher road safety standards.

Implementation Framework

Five years ago, the Pirkanmaa Centre for Economic Development, Transport, and the Environment (ELY Centre) sought to make road repair projects more efficient by adopting new operating models utilizing computer vision.

On-Road Data Collection

A smartphone is installed on the vehicle dashboard, continuously recording high-quality road footage during routine driving.

Automated Processing and Cloud Upload

Video files are uploaded to a secure cloud platform where computer vision analyses damages and classifies their severity.

Visual Map-Based Interface

Processed results are presented on a web map, allowing instant review without on-site validation.

Data-Driven Repair Scheduling

Engineers can prioritize maintenance tasks using consistent, comparable datasets, reducing delays and unnecessary visits.

Using Solrad Data Across Industries

Our solar radiation dataset serves as a critical resource for a wide range of industries, supporting everything from clean energy production to environmental protection.

  • Solar Development

    • enables accurate site selection for solar installations

    • helps determine optimal panel orientation

    • supports long-term performance and efficiency modeling

  • Renewable Energy Forecasting

    • allows companies to estimate future energy output

    • improves planning for energy storage solutions

    • enhances integration with power grids

  • Environmental and Atmospheric Research

    • provides essential data for studying visibility conditions

    • supports air quality monitoring

    • contributes to climate impact analysis

Key Capability Areas

The RoadAI-supported workflow strengthened several critical aspects of infrastructure management:

Operational Efficiency

Field visits became optional rather than mandatory, cutting travel costs and freeing staff hours for higher-value tasks. Real-time access eliminated waiting periods between feedback, inspection, and decision-making.

Consistency and Objectivity

Computer vision ensures identical criteria for identifying and grading damages, reducing subjective variance. Standardized results also simplify collaboration and reporting between departments.

Preventive Asset Management

Early detection of micro-cracks and minor defects prevents costly future repairs caused by deterioration. Long-term planning became proactive instead of reactive, improving asset lifespan

Transparent Record Keeping

Stored historical video allows quick retrieval for investigations or liability cases. This supports fair, evidence-based decision-making and contract negotiations.

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