Texas tollway using satellites to monitor condition of road

A Texas tollway is using satellite technology to evaluate the condition of the roadway with “millimeter accuracy” to address potential problems before they impact safety or ride quality.

SH 130 Concession Co. has partnered with Richmond, Virginia-based EO59, a technology startup that provides remote monitoring services to measure ground and structural movement.

Satellites will pass over the SH 130 toll road between Austin and San Antonio every six days and provide measurements on over 30,000 points along the roadway. The data is aimed at preventative maintenance, such as examining micro-shifting of soil and pavement that could lead to major issues on the road if unchecked.

Doug Wilson, CEO of SH 130 Concession Co., said that incorporating technologies like InSAR is critical for the company’s predictive approach to keeping the highway safe for both passenger and commercial vehicles.

“SH 130 Concession is taking a proactive approach to maintenance that uses incredibly detailed data to accurately predict potential problems so that we can address those issues well before they begin to impact the driving experience of our customers,” Wilson said. “The Austin-San Antonio corridor is booming, and SH 130 will be increasingly important as more people and goods move through the region.”