MicroSense Technologies (MTL), a spinout from Heriot-Watt University, has developed a smart sensing system to improve the spread of grit across road surfaces.

Using sensors and data analysis, the mobile phone-sized device can detect how much de-icer salt is already on the road and spot the early signs of potholes before they develop into craters.

Fitted to the gritter, the radar has a small microwave transmitter that relays real-time information about the road to a laptop, or within the platform that delivers the salt, and determines how much salt is needed. In addition, the device also records the condition of the road surface helping to identify potholes before they become a problem.

Last year 122,000 tonnes of salt and grit were spread on Scotland’s main roads and motorways, with the help of these smart sensors this figure could be cut significantly. The cost of gritting the motorways and main roads across the UK costs an estimated £150 million a year, while potholes cost about £120 million.

Not only would this result in a smaller bill for the taxpayer, it would also see less wastage and reduce the amount of sale that ends up in the watercourses. An additional bonus is that by minimising the amount of salt used councils are less likely to run out, which can cause massive disruptions.

With temperatures forecast to drop dramatically next week, Scotland’s gritters will be out in full force, however, MTL say there will be a wastage of salt being used where it is not needed. MTL co-founder Professor David Flynn said: “At present, when gritters spread salt over multiple days, no account is taken as to how much de-icer salt is left on the road.

“We have created an affordable and robust means of assessing the road surface conditions and accurately determine how much salt, if any, a stretch of road needs. This holds obvious advantages to local authorities but also to road users, helping ensure conditions are as safe as they possibly can be.

“In addition, during our preliminary trials we have also discovered that through subtle adaptations of our system we can actually scan the internal road condition. This ability to evaluate the tarmac allows us to identify early signs of pot-hole formation before they start.”

Potentially these state-of-the-art sensors could be installed onto gritters and highway maintenance vehicles within the next few months. MTL is now working in partnership with the UK’s largest importer of salt products, Peacock Salt, on the pioneering technology.

Gregorie Marshall, managing director at Peacock Salt, said: “We are excited about the early results from this collaboration and the possibilities it has beyond residual salt measurement.”