Lake Macquarie roads maintained by mobile app

A new mobile app is being used by Lake Macquarie City Council to help maintain its roads.

Embracing smart city ideas, the council has transformed its road maintenance processes by developing a custom-made software system using mobile technology.

Manager Asset Management Helen Plummer said that with $1.7 billion worth of road infrastructure, striving for continuous improvement in road maintenance practices is high on council’s list of priorities.

“As part of council’s Digital Economy Strategy we have been exploring how we can use technology to better connect the City’s widely dispersed communities — both physically and in the digital environment,” Plummer said.

“Seeing opportunity in the use of mobile technology in asset management, council embarked on a project to develop an app to enhance the efficiency of road maintenance and upgrade works.

“Developed in-house, this new app provides real-time, accurate information about planned roadworks.

“It also allows for the collection of valuable road condition data and displays this within our geographic information system (GIS).

“The app delivered major efficiency gains for our field workforce, because it was designed to minimise the need for staff to return to the office.

“When our field staff attend site to assess the severity of a reported defect they can use the app to also view any future planned works, take photos and add instructions before assigning the job to a field crew for rectification, if required.

“Once the job is assigned to a crew, it is prioritised by severity and location, ensuring that the crews complete the jobs in an efficient sequence.”

Over an expanse of more than 755 km², Lake Macquarie City Council is responsible for providing new local road infrastructure and maintenance of road, traffic and public transport assets.

Together with the community, Lake Macquarie City Council laid the foundation for creating a more connected, innovative and resilient city, with the adoption of the Lake Mac Smart City, Smart Council Digital Economy Strategy in 2016.

Image courtesy of Lake Macquarie City Council.

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