An artificial intelligence assistant trialled by the Department for Infrastructure to support winter gritting decisions has shown some benefits, but there are no plans for a wider rollout. Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins told Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty that the software was used in one roads network division to assist the duty manager in determining whether gritting was needed.

The AI assistant was trained using historic weather patterns and previous gritting decisions for that area. It provided a percentage likelihood figure to inform the duty manager's assessment, while the final decision remained with the duty manager and was based on current weather reports.

Minister Kimmins said while the AI assistant demonstrated some benefits, a wider rollout is not currently planned. Any further implementation would be subject to the preparation and approval of a formal business case.

The response came after Mr McNulty asked if the department was taking steps to ensure there is no regional bias when using AI for winter gritting decisions.

In 2025, DfI Roads Southern Divisional Manager Simon Richardson detailed the scope and cost of winter gritting in the region. He said from November to April, 74 staff are kept on standby in the Southern Division to salt main roads. Salt barns and stockpiles are filled to maximum capacity before winter in the division, which covers the council areas of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, and Newry, Mourne and Down.

When ice or snow is forecast, 31 gritters are available and can salt the main network in just over three hours, at a cost of around £20,000 each time.

Winter gritting is a key function of the department during colder months. The trial of AI is one measure being explored as part of ongoing efforts to support decision-making on road safety.