STATE-of-the-art technology will be used to help keep roads in South Craven and across North Yorkshire open during severe weather this coming winter.

Thousands of miles of roads will be monitored using measures including artificial intelligence, computer modelling and live data – plus cutting-edge sensors that record road surface temperatures and moisture levels.

The county council’s highways team has already invested in over £500,000 worth of equipment to provide up-to-date weather information.

A network of 27 weather stations at locations across North Yorkshire, including one above Cowling, provide real-time data to help the council make decisions on when and where to grit.

The stations include solar-powered cameras that relay live images of road conditions to the county council’s website, where the pictures can be viewed by motorists to help with journey planning.

Now the council is building on a long-term working relationship with Vaisala – a global leader in weather, environmental and industrial measurements – to further improve monitoring.

Latest technology will speed-up road surveys to quickly locate defects.

The authority is also trialling Vaisala Wx Horizon – a system that uses real-time weather information, plus historic weather and road condition data, alongside computer modelling to help identify required winter treatments.

And special sensors – known as Internet of Things – could be introduced to supplement the existing weather stations, providing accurate data at more locations across the county's roads network.

Councillor Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transportation, welcomes the latest developments.

He says: "North Yorkshire’s extensive highways network – which includes many rural roads – is vital to the everyday lives of the county’s residents, businesses and tourism industry, as well as for wider economic prosperity.

"That’s why we have a strong track record in putting ourselves at the forefront of technological advances that enable us to make quick, well-informed decisions to help keep our roads open and people on the move.

"These latest developments with Vaisala continue that long-standing approach and demonstrate our commitment to ongoing improvement to enable our dedicated teams to support residents, businesses and visitors across the county."

Jarkko Sairanen, Vaisala’s executive vice-president for weather and the environment, says: "I'm convinced the county and its people will benefit from the latest advances in mobile and Internet of Things technologies to help keep the road network safe and accessible, whilst minimising the cost and carbon footprint of winter maintenance operations."