NHAI to deploy NSVs on 20,000 km of highways: How it will scan for defects, Pg15.

Key Highlights:

• The NHAI will deploy Network Survey Vehicles (NSVs) across 23 states, covering 20,933 km of National Highways (NHs).
• NSVs will collect data on road and pavement conditions, identifying defects like surface cracking, potholes, and patches.
• The collected data will be uploaded to the Road Asset Management System (RAMS), also known as Datalake, developed by MoRTH.
• Surveys will be conducted at regular intervals of six months for projects involving 2, 4, 6, and 8 lanes.

Detailed Insights:

• The deployment of NSVs aims to address criticism regarding the poor condition of NHs and improve road maintenance.
• Existing guidelines since 2019 mandate surveys with NSVs before issuing completion certificates for newly built highway stretches.
• RAMS serves as a single road database for planning, budgeting, managing, and maintaining the entire NH network through life cycle analysis.
• NSVs use sensors and instruments like Laser, GPS, video image processing, high-resolution cameras, and IMU to collect data.
• The survey will capture 13 types of defects, including crack measurement, ravelling, and potholes, along with details like carriageway and road type.
• The identified 20,933 km stretch for the survey is divided into five packages: north, west, center, south, and east, covering multiple states.
• No single bidder will be awarded more than one package for conducting the NSV survey.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Network Survey Vehicle (NSV): A specialized vehicle equipped with sensors to assess road conditions.
• Road Asset Management System (RAMS): A database developed by MoRTH for managing the national highway network.
• National Highways Authority of India (NHAI): The agency responsible for the development, maintenance, and management of national highways in India.