Analyzing the Condition of Rural Roads Using Remote Sensing and GIS
Analyzing the Condition of Rural Roads Using Remote Sensing and GIS
Roads are necessary for the efficient transportation of products and resources, as well as people and other transportable items. A good road network promotes and accelerates a country’s fiscal growth through trade, tourism, and other feasible developments. It contributes to the advancement and acceleration of any nation’s financial development through improvements in business, trade, and tourism. In most African countries road networks are in poor condition due to either poor construction or poor maintenance, or both. Many places with significant development potential remain isolated as a result of insufficient road connectivity, particularly in the district’s distant rural areas, and the bulk of the rural population is deprived of basic requirements such as health care, education, and so on. Roads are critical in many sectors of development, including agriculture, health, education, and small-scale enterprise. Despite abundant resource potential, the lack of conventional roads in the district causes the villagers’ socioeconomic growth to stall.
Consistent monitoring of paved and unpaved road distress (such as road surface cracks, potholes, and surface roughness) early in order to execute maintenance on time. Early detection of road surface cracks offers information about the road network’s status before costly repairs are required.
Physical inspection is an outdated method of monitoring surface roads; nevertheless, it is time-consuming, costly, and requires a large amount of labor and supplies. It also endangers the surveillance crew, among other things. As more roads are built, the traditional approach to road inspection is no longer adequate. It is consequently critical to create new and sustainable methodologies, tools, and technology for adequate road monitoring.
As a result, remote sensing and GIS are being used as the ideal option for road monitoring. The advantages and potentials of using GIS and remote sensing techniques to detect paved and unpaved road distress (such as road surface cracks, potholes, and surface roughness) at an early stage have been very important in the maintenance of such roads. Remote sensing is a versatile platform capable of acquiring a vast amount of image data; satellites, UAVs, and other remote sensors are well-known for their incredible ability to monitor and observe the ground from space. They supply a wealth of data that is utilized to make decisions. Data captured through remote sensing techniques are imported to the GIS environment; an instrumental platform that could be applied in the analysis, monitoring, storing, and aid in decision-making of the processed data. GIS is also capable of producing a comprehensive map showing the road network which was prepared from the data gathered and further analysis can be carried out. GIS allows the operator to construct and develop an up-to-date digital database of road connections and public utility service accessibility that will allow proficiency in monitoring, administration, planning, and further development of each road network. The database gives various information concerning road infrastructure without manually assessing the road on a regular basis, assisting local authorities in determining the level of road damage, and successfully providing adequate resources required for road rehabilitation and maintenance. This technology provided a simple and cost-effective technique for monitoring road surface conditions. The strategy increases efficiency by rationalizing work processes for collecting field data and GPS data. It also boosts productivity by utilizing geo-tagged road distress images and processing the data in a geospatial environment. The integration of satellite imagery and data acquired from field measurements into a GIS system allows for the monitoring of road surface characteristics. When faults are discovered, immediate repair is planned and carried out because the position is critical.
Analyzing the Condition of Rural Roads Using Remote Sensing and GIS
