Automated Road Safety: Enhancing Sign and Surface Damage Detection with AI

TL;DR

This paper introduces an AI-based system utilizing deep learning, cloud, and GPU technologies to detect road sign and surface damage, supporting proactive maintenance and enhancing road safety in smart city contexts.

Contribution

It presents a novel integrated AI approach combining deep learning, cloud, and high-performance computing for real-time road damage and sign detection, tailored for municipal use.

Findings

Effective detection of road surface damage and traffic signs

Supports proactive maintenance strategies

Improves resource allocation for road safety

Abstract

Public transportation plays a crucial role in our lives, and the road network is a vital component in the implementation of smart cities. Recent advancements in AI have enabled the development of advanced monitoring systems capable of detecting anomalies in road surfaces and road signs, which, if unaddressed, can lead to serious road accidents. This paper presents an innovative approach to enhance road safety through the detection and classification of traffic signs and road surface damage using advanced deep learning techniques. This integrated approach supports proactive maintenance strategies, improving road safety and resource allocation for the Molise region and the city of Campobasso. The resulting system, developed as part of the Casa delle Tecnologie Emergenti (House of Emergent Technologies) Molise (Molise CTE) research project funded by the Italian Minister of Economic Growth (MIMIT), leverages cutting-edge technologies such as Cloud Computing and High Performance Computing with GPU utilization. It serves as a valuable tool for municipalities, enabling quick detection of anomalies and the prompt organization of maintenance operations