ZEB Experience Exchange and Maintenance Management 2026

The 14th “ZEB & Maintenance Management” conference brought together around 80 experts from road construction authorities, local governments, research institutions, and the private sector in Darmstadt at the end of April. Over the course of two days, the event provided a platform for in-depth professional discussion on current challenges and future trends in road maintenance management.

The focus was on presentations regarding the future of ZEB with LIDAR and 360° technologies, new approaches to digitalization in condition assessment, and practical examples from current projects for states, counties, and municipalities. Presentations on the use of artificial intelligence in road maintenance management, as well as the subsequent panel discussion on the opportunities, risks, and requirements of modern AI applications, drew particular interest.

Other topics included innovative pavement management systems for assessing maintenance needs, strategies to combat increasing cracking in road infrastructure, and holistic approaches to the maintenance management of airport aprons. The program was complemented by presentations on sewer infrastructure and the use of modern sensor and camera technology in condition assessment.

The combination of technical presentations, case studies, and open discussions facilitated an intensive exchange of knowledge and provided numerous new insights for daily practice.