DiKAS

How can construction sites, traffic signs, and other changes in the road environment be captured in real time, and how can digital road maps be updated automatically? The DiKAS (Digital control of work sites on roads) research project is dedicated to addressing this question.

The project is based on the Road-Glancr app developed at the institute. Using a standard smartphone, the app captures the road environment during regular bus trips and, with the help of artificial intelligence, automatically detects construction sites, traffic signs, traffic lights, and other traffic infrastructure. The analysis takes place directly on the device; images or videos are neither stored nor transmitted.

The detected objects are incorporated into a digital twin of the road environment, which automatically recognizes changes and can update digital road maps in near real time.

The project’s objectives include:

• automated detection of construction sites and traffic infrastructure,
• continuous updating of digital road space information,
• verification of detected construction sites against existing permits and orders,
• early detection of unauthorized or expired construction sites.

Buses are particularly well-suited for data collection, as they regularly travel through large parts of the city. This creates an up-to-date data foundation for government agencies, transit companies, and mobility services without requiring additional effort.

As part of the two-year project, the technology is being tested on BVG buses in Berlin and further developed for long-term use