Port Phillip Council works with maintenance contractor on zero emissions and AI innovations

Fulton Hogan’s electric truck on a job in Port Phillip.

To prioritise available road funding, the City of Port Phillip in Melbourne worked with Fulton Hogan to apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and machine learning on an assessment of the road network.

Under the stewardship of Nick Canton, Southern Region Specialty Products Manager, Fulton Hogan applied RoadBotics AI technology and machine learning to perform pavement assessments throughout the jurisdiction.

Fulton Hogan have also introduced an electric road sign and maintenance vehicle, that produces no emissions, for use across the council. City of Port Phillip and Fulton Hogan have a commitment to reduce their collective carbon footprint in the delivery of maintenance services and the idea for this truck came from that commitment.

Working with ORIX Australia, discussions with SEA Electric began in mid-2017 to create the truck which is capable of generating its own sustainable electricity to power ancillary tools.

It was the first time SEA had been asked to develop an electric truck with an inverter to power electric tools.

Glen Walker SEA Electric’s Regional Director of Oceania said the SEA Electric team had some fun bringing this idea to reality.

“We joked we have just built the world’s most versatile zero emissions power board,” he said.

Canton said this sustainable initiative has been a long time coming, but well worth the wait.

“It is truly awesome to see this eventuate, a great example of how committed and passionate we are about the environment and helping ensure we leave it in the best possible condition for future generations.”