New Delhi: In a major step towards improving the quality and safety of India’s road infrastructure, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced the deployment of Network Survey Vehicles (NSVs) across 23 states, covering approximately 20,933 km of National Highways. The initiative aims to enhance the overall riding experience by systematically collecting and analyzing data on road inventory and pavement conditions.
The deployment of these technologically advanced vehicles will enable NHAI to identify issues such as surface cracks, potholes, and patches through automated and high-precision surveys. The collected data will help the authority take timely corrective measures to ensure smoother and safer travel for commuters.
The data gathered by NSVs will be uploaded to NHAI’s AI-driven portal “Data Lake,” where a team of experts will analyze it to generate actionable insights for better road asset management. The analyzed information will be preserved in prescribed formats for future technical reference and use under the Road Asset Management System.
Each NSV is equipped with a 3D laser-based system capable of capturing and reporting road defects automatically without human intervention. These vehicles are also fitted with high-resolution 360-degree cameras, Differential GPS (DGPS), Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), and Distance Measuring Indicator (DMI) — all supported by sophisticated data acquisition and processing software to ensure precise measurement and reporting of road conditions.
As per the guidelines of the Government of India, the surveys will be conducted before the start of highway projects and at regular six-month intervals thereafter. To implement the initiative efficiently, NHAI has invited bids from qualified companies specializing in infrastructure data management and analysis.
The Network Survey Vehicle (NSV) System represents a modern, data-driven approach to infrastructure maintenance and planning. By adopting this advanced technology, NHAI aims to not only improve highway durability and safety but also contribute to the efficient management of India’s rapidly expanding road network.