Overview

Technology is transforming how highway green spaces are managed. Direct Enviro Services partnered with National Highways to deliver an innovative VM-Ai solution, combining specialist equipment with advanced digital modelling to improve efficiency, safety and compliance in vegetation surveying.

Traditional surveying methods relied on manual inspections, with operatives driving at reduced speeds to visually assess roadside vegetation. This approach was time consuming, labour intensive and introduced additional risks to both operatives and road users.

Approach

Direct Enviro Services developed a smarter, safer approach by integrating bespoke hardware with intelligent software.

A purpose-built survey vehicle was designed and equipped with AI-powered camera systems capable of scanning roadside vegetation in real time. Crucially, the system operates effectively at speeds of up to 70mph, removing the need for slow-moving inspection vehicles and significantly reducing disruption and risk.

Data is captured in a single pass and uploaded instantly, enabling faster decision-making and eliminating delays associated with manual reporting.

Solution

The VM-Ai system combines advanced imaging with bespoke software models tailored to the needs of highway vegetation management.

Key capabilities include:

• Invasive Species Detection: Automated identification of high-risk species including Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed and Ragwort
• Digital Sightline Mapping: Simultaneous analysis of vegetation impacting visibility and safety
• Real-Time Data Capture: Instant upload and processing of survey data
• Integrated Planning Insights: Clear, actionable outputs to direct vegetation management teams efficiently

By running multiple models in a single pass, the system maximises productivity while minimising operational time on the network.

Results & Benefits

The implementation of VM-Ai has delivered measurable improvements for National Highways:

• Enhanced Safety: Eliminates the need for slow-moving survey vehicles
• Time Efficiency: Large areas surveyed in a single pass at normal traffic speeds
• Cost Savings: Reduced labour, time on site and repeat visits
• Improved Accuracy: Data-led insights replace subjective visual assessments
• Smarter Resource Allocation: Targeted deployment of vegetation management teams
• Reduced Disruption: Minimal impact on road users during surveys

National Highways have already seen the cost and time benefits from using Direct Enviro Services VM-Ai services, and it is ticking all the boxes for them.