AUTOMATED POTHOLE DETECTION AND ROAD QUALITY MONITORING USING NODEMCU AND MQTT

Authors

  • Nurul Nisa Che Lah Faculty Informatics of Computing, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut Campus, Malaysia
  • Siti Dhalila Mohd Satar Faculty of Informatics and Computing, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia
  • Nazirah Abd Hamid Faculty Informatics of Computing, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut Campus, Malaysia
  • Raja Hasyifah Raja Bongsu Faculty Informatics of Computing, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut Campus, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37231/myjcam.2026.9.1.172

Keywords:

pothole detection, , road quality, NodeMCU, MQTT, Haar Cascade

Abstract

Road safety is influenced by various factors, including driving habits, weather conditions, and the quality of road infrastructure. Ensuring a smooth traffic flow and safety requires continuous monitoring of road conditions; however, poorly maintained roads can lead to vehicle damage, driver discomfort, and increased accident risk. Traditionally, road inspections are carried out manually, a process that is time-consuming and costly, posing challenges for transport authorities in maintaining road networks efficiently. To address these limitations, this study proposes the development of an automated pothole detection system. The system collects road condition data and utilizes the Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol for efficient transmission of data to a central server. Haar Cascade algorithm integrated into the NodeMCU devices assesses road quality parameters, enabling real-time detection of potholes. Data collected by the system is transmitted via MQTT to a central server for analysis and reporting. Experimental results demonstrate that the system successfully detects potholes, automatically sending alerts to the central server to enable prompt road maintenance. The automated pothole detection system provides a cost-effective, automated solution for monitoring and improving road conditions, offering transport authorities a more efficient, data-driven approach to road maintenance. 

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Published

2026-03-31

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2026): Malaysian Journal of Computing and Applied Mathematics

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Malaysian Journal of Computing and Applied Mathematics

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