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title: Space & Water Nexus Hackathon - Challenge by RWS
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# Preventing Roadside Fires: Supporting Tool for Roadside Management

### Published date: 31-8-2026

## What is the challenge?

Create a tool or develop a concept that converts remote sensing data obtained through satellite monitoring, potentially supplemented by other data, into actionable management information to support Rijkswaterstaat's development, management and maintenance activities.

Roadside clippings: Can satellite monitoring be used to verify whether contractors are maintaining roadside verges correctly?

- Timely mowing, including the height of the cut vegetation
- Removal of roadside clippings
- Automatic alerts for areas that have not yet been mowed by October
- Automatic alerts for areas where cut grass remains in October
- Automatic alerts for locations with an increased risk of wildfires due to tall grass or left-behind clippings, combined with indicators associated with fire risk, such as drought and yellowing of the grass

Objective: Rapid monitoring of mowing progress, reducing the risk of roadside fires, and preventing overgrown vegetation from obstructing drivers' visibility.

## Who encounters or is affected by this challenge?

Of interest to other roadside managers and contractors.

## What should you work towards during the hackathon?

Create a tool or develop a concept that converts remote sensing data obtained through satellite monitoring, potentially supplemented by other data, into actionable management information to support Rijkswaterstaat's development, management and maintenance activities.

## What could you demonstrate, test or validate by the end of the hackathon?

A concept for an automatic alert that identifies locations with an increased risk of wildfires due to tall grass or left-behind clippings, combined with indicators such as drought and yellowing of the grass.

## How is this challenge currently addressed?

Currently, monitoring often involves visiting locations.

## What is currently missing or could be improved?

Remote sensing could provide a clearer picture of what has already been mowed, thereby facilitating inspections aimed at preventing roadside fires.

## Challenge owner availability during the hackathon

A representative from Rijkswaterstaat will be available on site during the hackathon.

## Additional materials, data and tools

Additional challenge materials will be shared with registered participants ahead of and during the hackathon via Discord and on site.

### **Questions?**

[hackathons@groundstation.space](mailto:hackathons@groundstation.space)

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