Machine Learning and Route Patrol Vehicles to Auto-Detect Highway Defects
Siliguri, March 20, 2026 — In a massive technological upgrade aimed at improving road safety and maintenance, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to roll out an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based dashcam monitoring system. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways confirmed on Friday that this advanced system will cover approximately 40,000 kilometers of the country’s national highway network.
The initiative, officially termed Dashcam Analytics Services (DAS), will leverage AI and machine learning models to fundamentally change how highways and expressways are monitored, maintained, and secured.
How the Dashcam Analytics System Works
Under the new DAS initiative, high-tech dashboard cameras will be installed directly onto Route Patrol Vehicles (RPVs). These vehicles will conduct mandatory weekly surveys across designated highway stretches.
As the RPVs drive, the dashcams will capture high-resolution imagery and video data. The integrated AI models are specifically trained to instantly identify and flag more than 30 different types of road defects and infrastructural anomalies.
Key issues the AI will detect include:
Pavement Defects: Potholes, rutting, and surface cracks.
Infrastructure Flaws: Damaged crash barriers, broken streetlights, and faded lane markings.
Safety Hazards: Illegal median openings, unauthorized signboards, improper parking, and illegal encroachments.
Night Surveys and Digital Dashboards
To ensure complete round-the-clock safety, the NHAI has mandated that at least one of these automated surveys be conducted at night every month. This will specifically evaluate the visibility and condition of road signage, reflective pavement markings, and lighting infrastructure. Additionally, the AI will keep an eye out for missing drainage covers, water stagnation, and overgrown vegetation blocking the road.
To efficiently process the massive influx of video data, the NHAI has divided the country into five operational zones. All AI-generated data will be funneled into a centralized, dedicated IT platform equipped with visual dashboards and analytics modules.
According to the Ministry, this centralized data integration will allow authorities to compare road conditions over time, track the progress of repairs, and transition the NHAI toward a highly efficient, data-driven maintenance model. Ultimately, the deployment of AI dashcams is expected to drastically cut down repair response times and significantly enhance the safety of commuters traveling across India’s vast highway network.