Street lighting surveys in Birmingham now take less than one-fifth of the time they used to, thanks to drone inspections. Highways Drone Services (HDS) and contractor Kier Infrastructure received the CECA Midlands Innovation Award 2026 for this approach. The work shows the technology can improve safety, increase productivity and reduce carbon emissions during routine street lighting inspections.
Five times faster, 93.5% fewer emissions
The drone-based system increased survey productivity by a factor of 5.18 compared with previous manual inspections. At the same time, carbon dioxide emissions from the inspection process dropped by 93.5%. Both figures come from the results of the Birmingham City Council project.
Traditional inspections require operatives to work at height on lighting columns and use specialist access equipment, often with traffic management in place. Drones carry out visual inspections remotely, reducing exposure to the risks of traffic and working at height.
How drone surveys work
Drones fly close to street lighting columns to capture high-definition images and videos. These are analysed to assess the condition of each column and identify faults. The data collection covers large areas quickly without disrupting traffic flow or causing lengthy road closures.
The approach allows surveyors to inspect more assets in a single day than before, reducing the overall duration and impact of inspection programmes.
Where it fits on UK roads
The project started as a trial when Kier allowed HDS to deploy drone technology on Birmingham’s network. After successful results, it became a routine part of maintenance inspections.
The method aligns with UK regulations such as the New Roads and Street Works Act (NRSWA) and supports health and safety standards by limiting operatives’ time near live carriageways and at height.
What changes for contractors and road users
Using drones reduces the physical risk to inspection teams, requiring fewer people to work at height or close to traffic. The faster survey times free up road space sooner and cut costs related to access equipment and traffic management.
Reducing the carbon footprint also supports councils’ environmental targets, particularly important for local authorities like Birmingham City Council managing large asset inventories.
Industry recognition and future potential
The CECA Midlands Innovation Award acknowledges the collaboration between a contractor, technology provider and a local authority. It highlights drone technology’s growing role beyond aerial imagery, positioned now as a practical tool for asset management and safety improvement.
HDS is expanding drone use for other applications, including topographical surveys, construction monitoring, drainage inspection, and thermal imaging.
Marc Hobbins, director of HDS, said: “We are grateful to Kier and Birmingham City Council for supporting this work. It shows real advantages when technology is applied to operational challenges rather than just novelty. We see drones becoming an established part of highways inspection.”
