Surveyors from Northumberland County Council in the US state of Pennsylvania are using global positioning system (GPS) technology to collect information that will ease traffic flows and improve safety.

The technology will be used to collect information in areas covered by traffic regulation orders (TROs), which are legal documents that create local traffic rules and help manage one-way systems, speed limits, weight limits and loading bays.

The technology will enable one surveyor to perform inspections and record details of existing lines such as colour, width and type, and the type and size of associated signs.

The council will use the technology to consolidate the orders into more manageable documents that can be easily transferred to mapping software.

During the process old yellow road markings and damaged signs will be repaired and consolidated orders will be advertised.