Radar technology used to target grit and salt on Scotland's roads

Description

A spinout company from Heriot-Watt University is using smart sensing technology in a bid to help spread grit and salt on Scotland's roads more efficiently.

MicroSense Technologies has developed a sensing system - about the size of a mobile phone - to ensure an equal spread of grit across road surfaces.

When fitted to a gritter it uses advanced data analysis and radar sensing to detect how much de-icer salt is already on the road.

It can also spot the early signs of potholes before they develop into craters.

Last year 122,000 tonnes of salt and grit were spread on Scotland's main roads and motorways.

The UK-wide bill for gritting motorways and main roads is about £150m a year, and for potholes it is estimated at £120m.