The road construction sector in Cologne is defying the coronavirus crisis, as applications for work on public roads are now being submitted and processed digitally.
Whereas a personal visit was previously necessary, the procedure has now been switched to a contactless, digital process. The digital process is showing initial success, with 1,925 notices for work measures on public roads for March 2020, which is higher than the previous year’s figure of 1,901 notices. Traffic safety checks on construction sites have now also been adapted to the new requirements in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The construction site inspection service now accesses the permit information via mobile devices, eliminating the need for personal consultations with city hall employees.
To monitor construction sites, city employees use new “street orthophotos”, which are high-resolution photos that provide better image material than aerial photographs. The high level of detail of the images means that various rounds of duty can be dispensed with. Construction companies in Cologne have also adapted to the coronavirus situation and taken protective measures so that they can continue to carry out construction work on public streets.