An innovative automatic survey was performed by Yotta – the 3D mapping division of OMG plc – to map all the roads, signs, traffic lights and other assets bordering the highway in the borough.

North Tyneside Council drafted in the unique vehicle-based high-resolution digital photography system.

Officers hope it will support the development of the transport asset management plan by providing accurate details of the road network, including the length and width of roads and paths as well as the number and condition of specific inventory such as gullies and road signs.

Based on technology used in the medical world and for Hollywood animations, the video data is processed automatically and extracted using special software and imported directly into the council's asset management system.

Mark Newlands, assistant engineering services manager at the council, said: "We have not performed a full inventory survey on our entire network before and this is a cost-effective method to get the job done.

"The Yotta survey expedites the collection of essential data to deliver a clear and precise view of all our assets.

"The survey provides highly accurate information together with a high-resolution video record that we can revisit whenever we need additional data."

He added that the video makes it easier to demonstrate to cabinet members and stakeholders what the council's engineering services department is doing.

"The video footage enables us to show precisely what we are working on to interested parties," said Mr Newlands.

"Because it is a visual technique it gives a 'wow factor' to our work and clearly demonstrates that North Tyneside readily adopts innovative technology to support its programmes."

Yotta performed the survey using its specially designed and developed Y270 vehicle which is equipped with six high-definition cameras, taking an image every two metres.