Bentley Systems has partnered with the Department of Infrastructure in South Africa’s Western Cape government to implement its AI-powered Blyncsy technology across sections of provincial roads.
Blyncsy will monitor around 5,000km of strategic roads, using AI to combat maintenance backlogs and enhance climate resilience.
This initiative, a first for Blyncsy on the African continent, will use automated computer vision to detect critical infrastructure issues.
Facing limited budgets and growing risks from weather-related impacts, the department is investing in smarter, more proactive technology to enhance road safety and protect mobility.
Recent extreme flooding events have isolated entire towns, highlighting the urgent need for a more resilient approach to asset management.
Bentley said that by deploying Blyncsy, an offering within Bentley’s asset-analytics portfolio, the department is moving toward a future-proofed acceleration agenda.
The technology uses crowdsourced dash-camera imagery and machine learning to automatically identify damaged guardrails, missing street signs, faulty streetlights, and debris.
Crucially, the system can also monitor vegetation encroachment, a key factor in maintaining visibility and preventing road obstructions during the province’s increasingly frequent storm cycles.
“Providing safe and resilient infrastructure is the foundation of economic opportunity in the Western Cape, particularly as we manage the impacts of climate change on our road network,” says Johannes Neethling, chief engineer for Transport Infrastructure Systems for the Western Cape.
“By integrating Blyncsy’s AI technology, we are gaining a level of visibility that was previously impossible. This allows us to maintain a precise digital inventory of our assets, from guardrails to streetlights, ensuring that our maintenance crews are deployed where they are needed most.”
“This isn’t just about better data; it’s about a proactive commitment to keeping our roads open and our citizens safe,” he adds.
This data-driven approach directly supports the Roads4U campaign and the Western Cape Infrastructure Framework 2050 which prioritises innovation and strategic partnerships to maximise the transport budget.
By automating inspections, the department can now identify and rectify hazards, such as potholes and drainage-blocking debris, before they escalate into costly repairs.
“Western Cape is leading the way on the African continent by embracing empirical evidence to drive financial and operational decisions,” said Mark Pittman, senior director of transportation AI at Bentley Systems.
“As we look toward bringing this technology to more markets worldwide, our goal remains clear: to replace historical precedent with AI-driven insights that reduce risk, lower costs, and ultimately save lives.”
The Department of Infrastructure’s Roads4U app allows residents to report various infrastructure defects such as road-surface damage, faulty traffic signals and faded signage. It aims to enhance the province’s road network by leveraging real-time data and citizen collaboration.
Future updates will include a broadcast feature that provides all app users with real-time notifications on road closures and other important events.
Key features of Roads4U include intuitive reporting where the app automatically pins the exact GPS location of a reported defect to ensure accuracy.
Users can upload photos and add detailed descriptions to assist repair teams. They will also receive status updates from the technical teams on their reports. Each report is assigned a unique reference number, allowing users to track the progress of their report if they don’t receive feedback through the app in time.
