SCOTTISH transport chiefs have launched a new artificial intelligence pilot scheme to catch slovenly drivers throwing litter out of their cars.
The six-month trial will see LitterCam technology deployed on the Edinburgh City Bypass and the A1 from mid-September.
Software will detect rubbish being thrown from moving vehicles to measure the scale of the problem across South East Scotland.
It follows the collection of more than 3,000 bags of waste – equating to 15 tonnes – on the bypass alone over the past year.
Transport Scotland and operating company BEAR Scotland are running the project on the major trunk routes.
Tommy Deans, BEAR Scotland SE Network Manager says: “Scotland is renowned for its natural beauty, yet the amount of litter discarded on these major routes is an eyesore and an embarrassment.
“Littering is against the law. This trial uses the latest technology to record incidents of littering. It is hoped the project will prompt people to think twice about committing this anti-social behaviour.”
He added: “Working on high-speed roads comes with risk but the risks during litter picking could be completely avoided if drivers/passengers took litter home.
“The resources invested in picking litter could be ploughed into other tasks that contribute to keeping these strategic routes safe and reliable for the people of Scotland.”
Andrew Kemp, chief executive of LitterCam, claimed that previous projects have seen a 40% reduction in verge side litter.
“We are confident that working with Transport Scotland and BEAR Scotland will help tackle the blight of litter on these strategic routes,” he concluded.
Recent clean-up efforts on the A1 near Dunbar required lane closures for safety, with ten workers collecting 122 bags of litter along a 3km stretch in just one day.
Heather McLaughlin, Campaigns Manager at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “There’s no debate about the impact roadside litter is having on our country: 90% of people believe it’s an issue.
“As the lead delivery partner on roadside litter for the government’s National Litter and Flytipping Strategy, we’re pleased to support BEAR’s continued efforts to tackle this issue.
“Roadside litter is not only dangerous for drivers, wildlife and those who have to clean it up, but it also has a financial cost. We all have a part to play: give your litter a lift or take it home.”
- This article is provided by the news agency Deadline News Limited and published here with permission.
- Contact Deadline News Limited if you would like to use any or all of this article.
- [email protected] or [email protected]
