Honda and DriveOhio, the smart mobility hub of the Ohio Department of Transportation, have completed a first-of-its-kind pilot project demonstrating how real-time vehicle data can be used to detect and report roadway deficiencies.
The project, conducted with technology partners i-Probe Inc., Parsons, and the University of Cincinnati, tested an automated road condition management system designed to help state transportation agencies improve maintenance efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance roadway safety.
As part of the pilot, ODOT team members drove Honda test vehicles equipped with advanced vision and LiDAR sensors across approximately 3,000 miles of roadways in central and southeastern Ohio.
The vehicles operated in rural and urban settings, under varying weather conditions, and at different times of day.
Honda’s Proactive Roadway Maintenance System identified a range of roadway and infrastructure issues, including damaged or obstructed road signs, guardrail damage, pothole development, shoulder drop-offs, insufficient lane striping, and rough road conditions.
Detected issues were reviewed in real time through web-based dashboards, allowing ODOT to compare the data with traditional visual inspections.
According to pilot results, the system achieved high accuracy rates, including 99 percent accuracy for damaged or obstructed signs, 93 percent for damaged guardrails, and an average of 89 percent accuracy for pothole detection.
An AI feedback loop allowed ODOT personnel to flag misdetections, helping the system improve over time.
The project team estimates the technology could save ODOT more than $4.5 million annually by reducing manual inspections, improving maintenance planning, and preventing costly deferred repairs.
The system also enhances safety by limiting the amount of time maintenance crews are exposed to traffic.
Honda and its partners are now exploring ways to scale the technology for real-world operations.
Future plans include allowing Honda customers to contribute anonymized vehicle data to help improve road conditions statewide.
