Luton Council and VolkerHighways are at the cutting-edge of innovation as they adopt Asphalt-IQ for a trial to capture and visualise data on roads resurfaced and patching repairs across Luton.
Asphalt-IQ brings new digital solutions into the highway industry to capture carbon at the source of each surfacing and patching scheme. Geo-locating data with Smart A-Tags and smartcards enables accurate information to be held centrally and by the road itself.
To improve the way we collect surfacing data, Asphalt-IQ’s digital app is being piloted to calculate carbon emissions from roads resurfaced and patching repairs. The app works by inputting information about each scheme which automatically generates carbon output in less than 60 seconds.
A bespoke app has been developed for the contract, allowing data to be seamlessly uploaded to a central office by scanning a smartcard or road tag embedded in the road before compaction. This data helps generate a detailed history for each road.
In the future, simply scanning the road tag or viewing the dashboard will display the road’s full history and detailed carbon information. This will offer valuable insights into what has and hasn’t worked on the surface, aiding in more informed decision-making for maintenance and improvements.
The trial started beginning of April, during which we will collect data to evaluate its effectiveness and determine whether it should be adopted permanently in the future.
“We are proud to be at the forefront of digital innovation in road maintenance. By trialling Asphalt-IQ, we’re not only improving the way we manage our roads but also taking a significant step towards meeting our climate goals – part of the Luton 2040 vision. This technology gives us the data we need to make decisions that benefit both our highways and the environment.”
Councillor Javed Hussain Portfolio Holder for Highways and Sustainable Transport at Luton Council
“During last year’s surfacing programme, we resurfaced 37,420 m2 of roads across Luton. Asphalt-IQ will give us better visibility on the carbon generated on each scheme, as well as materials used and other useful information. In turn, this will help us to accurately calculate our carbon footprint and enable us to offset the impact by making positive, lasting differences in the local environment.”
Jerry Pert Operations Director for VolkerHighways
