<p>The challenges of road maintenance, particularly in detecting potholes and cracks, and the proposed method using transfer learning and convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are significant advancements in this domain. Transfer learning is particularly beneficial, as it allows leverage pre-trained models to enhance the performance of the pothole detection system. CNNs, with their ability to capture spatial hierarchies in data, are well-suited for image-based tasks like pothole detection. The potential applications of the suggested method for intelligent transportation systems (ITS) services, such as alerting drivers about real-time potholes, demonstrate we research’s practical implications. This contributes to road safety and aligns with the broader goals of innovative city initiatives and infrastructure management. Achieving a 96% accuracy rate is a significant result, indicating the robustness of the proposed approach. Using this information to assess initial maintenance needs in a road management system is forward-thinking. Overall, we work is a valuable contribution to intelligent transportation and infrastructure management, showcasing the potential of advanced machine-learning techniques for addressing critical issues in road maintenance.</p>