Welsh Highways Inspectors Get Mobile with Mayrise

13 January 2009, 4:32pm

The condition of roads across Wales is set to improve with a live mobile data capture and digital mapping solution. Supplied by Mayrise Systems and already introduced by nearly half of all Welsh Local Authorities, specially developed PDA software allows Inspectors working in the field to map and record highways defect information. Through wireless communication, this information can be synchronised with a centralised MAYRISE mapping and highways management system that automatically generates works orders, minimising the potential for errors and eliminating unnecessary paperwork.

The introduction of MAYRISE Mobile for Highways by Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Cardiff, Ceredigion, Flintshire, Pembrokeshire, Rhondda Cynon Taff and Torfaen has enabled the Councils to link field based duties and operations to back office systems. Routine inspection schedules, generated by MAYRISE Highways, are downloaded to the Inspector’s PDA. On completion of a route, street inspection records together with any defects noted are uploaded from the mobile units to the central management system, which processes the information and issues works orders to operational staff.

Torfaen Council has introduced the mobile data collection solution running on HP iPAQ devices, in a bid to eliminate unnecessary paperwork and reduce the potential for errors introduced in the transfer of information from paper records produced in the field to the final issue of works orders. “Using MAYRISE Mobile for Highways we are moving towards to a ‘paperless’ system,” commented Maureen Collett, Technical Support Officer. “Not only is the system is easy to use, there is less admin, less errors and it takes less time.”

To improve the accuracy of recording the position of defects Flintshire Council has added GPS functionality to their handheld computers. Combined with MapNow, the easy to use mapping solution from Mayrise, this has improved both the quality and consistency of information captured in the field and is proving especially useful in more rural areas where landmarks and reference points are fewer. “As with any new technology there is a learning curve,” said Mark Middleton, Network Asset Manager. “Despite this we are already achieving measurable benefits, not least an estimated saving of 1,000 man hours per annum.”

Blaenau Gwent Council has also selected HP iPAQ mobile computers for their mobile highways operation. “The mobile system will enable us to record defects accurately, consistently and efficiently,” concluded Dave Phillips, Highways Administration Officer. “The seamless process from inspection to issuing of works orders will reduce unnecessary paperwork and administration and the fact that we can customise the system to our own specification means that it is easy to integrate with existing working practices and processes.”

Contact Mark Clarke at Mayrise Systems: Tel. +44 (0)1453 827 400, www.mayrise.co.uk

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