Brimbank Council is implementing an innovative mobile 5G-based camera or laser solution mounted on its waste trucks, to automatically detect, identify and map road side assets that need maintenance.
The pilot project is supported by $1.18 million Federal government grant under the Australian 5G Innovation Initiative. The program was created to help small to large businesses test and develop 5G uses, applications, services, and products.
Brimbank is the only local government area to receive funding under the inaugural round of these grants.
The Mobile 5G Internet of Things (IoT) solution for data driven road asset maintenance in Brimbank project will be delivered in partnership with Swinburne University and Optus.
The project will automate asset condition monitoring and auditing, reducing the time (to within a week) to identify and document all of Brimbank's road and roadside assets requiring maintenance, and provide real time information to maintenance crews.
5G-based camera or laser technology will be fitted onto Council's waste trucks as a way to gather data on Brimbank's roads and footpaths as the trucks travel over the municipality delivering waste services.
This collected real-time data will be used to decide what public roads, road signs, road spaces and other public assets need maintenance.
The automated process will transform the current time-based maintenance approach into one that's reactive - it will help fast track data collection, and maintenance of assets, and also slash asset auditing costs by more than 50 per cent.
Quotes to be attributed to Brimbank Mayor Cr Jasmine Nguyen:
"Brimbank Council has welcomed the Federal Government's announcement that Brimbank will receive funding to implement a high tech automated mobile 5G solution to gather data on the condition of the municipality's roads and footpaths.
"Residents have told us via the Community Survey that improving the appearance of Brimbank's roads, road signs, bus stop shelters and roadside spaces is a high priority.
"This innovative 5G-based project offers us a quicker and more efficient way to identify which assets need maintenance, and to get the information to the work crews.
"Simply put, this project will help Council respond faster to assets that need maintenance.
"Council is pleased to be working with Swinburne University and Optus on this ground-breaking project.
"Our project will also lead the way for other councils considering 5G based solutions for road and roadside asset condition monitoring."
Quotes to be attributed to Associate Professor Prem Prakash Jayaraman, Director Factory of the Future and Digital Innovation Lab, Swinburne University of Technology:
"Swinburne is bringing together researchers, government and industry to co-create safe, resilient solutions for smart and sustainable cities. Together, we are enhancing access to services, places and economic opportunities, and improving quality of life.
"We are delighted to be working with the forward-thinking Brimbank Council, and utilising Swinburne's leading capabilities and world-renowned expertise in Internet of Things and digital innovation to demonstrate a solution that can be used in cities across Australia and around the world."
