Scanning Northern Ireland’s roads

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has awarded a contract with roadscape intelligence company, Gaist, to deliver a survey of Northern Ireland’s road network.

Using advanced AI, HD imaging and roadscape modelling technology, Gaist will capture a digital twin of every road in Northern Ireland to an extraordinary level of detail. The system will also map the location of footways, cycleways and associated road assets – such as signage, manhole covers, lamp posts and verges – to a complete and consistent picture of a national network.

In ‘The Northern Ireland Road Network and Condition Statistics 2024-25 report’, published in November 2025, the total expenditure on the roads in Northern Ireland in 2024-25 was reported as £466 million. More than one quarter (29.2%) of the total expenditure was on Structural Maintenance (£136 million).

Once the survey is complete, the Gaist system will identify and prioritise maintenance, but will also perform lifecycle modelling that will provide long-term projections of how the road network will perform under different scenarios. This will help DfI to plan investments effectively, reduce carbon impact from maintenance and optimise the safety and lifespan of assets.

The survey will also help to ensure that utilities companies undertaking street works reinstate the roads to industry standards. By including footways in its modelling, it will highlight where improvements can be made to support safer, more accessible walking and cycling routes, and active travel efforts.
With a single national survey of its roads, the government will be able to better understand the investment required to prepare for emerging technologies such as driverless cars.

The Department for Infrastructure’s Director for Road Asset Maintenance, Colin Sykes, said: “We are very pleased to work with Gaist to use advances in technology to under-take the first digital survey of the road network in Northern Ireland. This work will give us the clarity and evidence we need to maximise investment, improve safety and deliver a better experience for everyone who relies on our road network.”

Steve Birdsall, CEO of Gaist, added: “The value of deeper, more accurate information to support intelligent road maintenance is widely recognised. A growing number of Councils in England, Wales and Scotland are already benefiting from Gaist’s roadscaping technology. However, Northern Ireland is the first to collect such a vast national data set to produce a national road condition baseline.