Camera Specifications
Minimum requirements for RoadAsset-compatible video capture devices
Purpose
This specification defines the minimum technical requirements for vehicle-mounted cameras used in road condition surveys, asset tagging, and GIS-linked video analysis. The intent is to ensure consistent video quality, accurate geolocation, and reliable downstream processing for inspection, reporting, and Bill of Quantities (BQ) derivation.
Supported Camera Category
- Action camera with integrated GPS telemetry
- Designed for continuous outdoor recording
- Proven compatibility with telemetry extraction tools
Minimum Supported Model (Baseline)
GoPro HERO 8 Black or newer
Other brands/models may be considered only if all technical requirements are met.
Video Requirements
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Resolution | ≥ 4K (3840 × 2160) |
| Frame Rate | ≥ 30 fps (constant frame rate preferred) |
| Field of View | Wide / Linear wide (road lane + shoulder visible) |
| Encoding | H.264 or H.265 in MP4 container |
| Bitrate | ≥ 60 Mbps recommended |
GPS & Telemetry Requirements
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| GPS | Built-in GPS module |
| Data Recorded | Latitude, longitude, timestamp (minimum) |
| Synchronisation | GPS data time-aligned with video frames |
| Export | GPS data extractable as standard GPX or equivalent |
Mounting & Operation
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Mounting | Vehicle-mounted (windscreen, roof, or external bracket) |
| Power | Continuous recording ≥ 90 minutes |
| Environment | Outdoor daylight operation (rain-tolerant housing recommended) |
Recommended Models
For production deployment, we recommend:
GoPro HERO 9 / 10 / 11
Improved GPS stability, battery life, and low-light performance
GoPro MAX (360° Camera)
PreferredPreferred for highway and long-corridor surveys due to full left/right coverage in a single pass
Non-Supported Devices
The following are not acceptable for RoadAsset surveys:
- Cameras without GPS telemetry
- Dashcams with GPS limited to speed overlay only
- Action cameras with non-extractable or proprietary GPS formats
- Low-resolution devices (<4K)
- Cloud-locked or app-only GPS playback systems
Smartphones (Conditional Acceptance)
Eligible Devices
- Apple iPhone (iPhone 11 or newer)
- High-end Android smartphones with equivalent camera and GPS capability
Mid-range or entry-level smartphones are not acceptable.
Video Requirements (Smartphone)
| Resolution | ≥ 4K (3840 × 2160) |
| Frame Rate | ≥ 30 fps (constant preferred) |
| Stabilisation | Optical or electronic enabled |
| Duration | ≥ 60–90 minutes continuous |
| Format | MP4 (H.264 or H.265) |
GPS Requirements (Smartphone)
| GPS Logging | Continuous tracking throughout recording |
| Export Format | Standard GPX file |
| Time Alignment | GPX timestamps aligned with video |
| Sampling Rate | ≥ 1 Hz GPS logging |
| Data Integrity | No OS-level power saving interruption |
Operational Requirements
- Mounting: Fixed vehicle mount only (handheld use prohibited)
- Power: External power bank or vehicle power supply
- Applications: Approved video recording and GPS logging apps only
Known Limitations
- • Thermal throttling during extended recording
- • Variable GPS accuracy depending on device and OS state
- • Background GPS suspension due to power management
- • Narrower field of view compared to action cameras
- • Higher variability across contractors and devices
Permitted Use Cases
| Scenario | Status |
|---|---|
| Pilot or proof-of-concept survey | Permitted |
| Rural or low-budget contractor survey | Permitted (subject to approval) |
| Emergency or ad-hoc inspection | Permitted |
| Highway baseline survey | Not recommended |
| Recurring PCI or asset inventory | Not recommended |
Compliance & Verification
Contractors may be required to:
- Submit a sample video file with embedded GPS telemetry
- Demonstrate successful GPS extraction and map replay
- Comply with RoadAsset survey SOPs (mounting, direction, and recording settings)
Summary (Procurement Clause)
The survey camera shall be a GPS-enabled action camera capable of recording ≥4K video with extractable geolocation telemetry. As a minimum, the device shall meet or exceed the specifications of a GoPro HERO 8 Black. Devices without integrated GPS or with non-extractable telemetry shall not be accepted.