Summer 2006

A "live" highways inspection system that allows engineers to update road and infrastructure information from the field, using standard PDAs, has been developed by Mayrise Systems, a supplier specialising in local authority and e-government products.

Using the system, engineers can report defects such as loose paving slabs and potholes from the field, speeding up response times. They can also update maps of the areas covered, using Mobile MapNow software. Digital maps and asset overlays of a given region are stored on high-capacity memory cards on the device itself, rather than remotely at the office, so do not need to be downloaded constantly when required.

There is, however, plenty of interaction between the mobile units and the engineer's base. The central Mayrise Highways system holds asset information, street gazetteer and records, and details are transferred between this system and the mobiles in near-real time.

Other features of the system include contractor and remote site access, integration with street works systems, and XML Web "schemas" for linking the system with contact centres and e-government services.