An artificial intelligence trial used to help decide when winter roads should be gritted has shown “some benefits”, but there are currently no plans for a country-wide rollout, the Infrastructure Minister has said.
The issue was raised by Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty, who asked Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins whether her Department was taking steps to ensure there was “no regional bias” when AI was used to support winter-gritting decisions.
Although there has been no official statement setting out how the technology is being used as the cold-snap season approaches, the Minister provided details in her response to the MLA.
How the AI gritting trial worked
Ms Kimmins said the Department had trialled an AI Assistant in one Roads Network Division. The software supported the Duty Manager when deciding whether winter gritting was required.
The Assistant was trained using historic weather patterns and earlier gritting decisions for that particular area. It then produced a percentage-likelihood figure to inform the assessment. Responsibility for the final decision remained with the Duty Manager, who also considered current weather reports.
“My Department trialled the use of an AI Assistant to support the Duty Manager in one Roads Network Division when determining whether winter gritting was required,” said the Minister.
The Minister said the technology had delivered some benefits, but confirmed that a wider implementation would require a formal business case to be prepared and approved before any further decision was taken.
Winter gritting capacity in the Southern Division
The trial comes as the Department prepares for the operational demands of winter across the Southern Division, which covers the council areas of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, and Newry, Mourne and Down.
In 2025, DfI Roads Southern Divisional Manager Simon Richardson said 74 staff would remain on standby from November through to April to salt main roads. Salt barns and stockpiles are filled to maximum capacity during the pre-winter period.
When ice or snow is forecast, 31 gritters are available. Together, they can salt the main network in just over three hours, although each operation costs about £20,000.
“When ice or snow is forecast, we have 31 gritters available which can salt the main network in just over three hours, a massive logistical exercise that costs around £20,000 each time it takes place,” he said.
The possible cost savings from assistive technology have not yet led to a commitment to expand the system. For now, winter gritting decisions will continue to be made locally by Duty Managers, informed by current weather conditions and existing operational procedures.
Ms Kimmins concluded that any future expansion would depend on the preparation and approval of a formal business case.