A new app has been introduced which can allow motorists to report potholes to their local council automatically as they are driving.
Partnered with the RAC, Stan is an app that is available on Google Play and the Apple Store, which uses the camera to detect potholes in the road.
Mike Mockford, Product Owner of Stan, noted that the free app could lead to damaged patches of road being repaired at a much faster rate.
He explained: “Stan is not just an app; it’s a catalyst for positive change in our communities. Potholes pose a significant risk to road users, and with Stan, we are empowering communities to play an active role in ensure safer roads.
“Our partnership with the RAC is testament to our commitment to making a real difference, and we are excited about the combined efforts in creating a more secure and reliable road infrastructure.”
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Motorists do not need to do anything whilst the app is in use, simply fitting their smartphone securely to a mount with the camera pointing through the windscreen.
As they drive, Stan uses artificial intelligence to spot items in the road that could need repairing, such as joint failures and cracks, and sends their location to the local council.
According to the developer, Metricell, the app is able to detect 45 different issues with the road and infrastructure.
Simon Williams, head of policy at RAC, noted that reporting potholes is important for all drivers as leaving them to develop could cause costly damage to vehicles.
He advised: “Every pothole left unrepaired can cause expensive damage to vehicles and hurt or even kill anyone on two wheels.
“The more that can be done to make highways authorities aware of problems with their road surfaces, the better for everyone who uses them.”
