Key Takeaways
- The city of Lakeland has signed a four-year contract with Roadways Management Technologies to use artificial intelligence technology to tackle pothole problems on roadways.
- The contract is worth $60,000 per year and involves installing sensors and cameras on 15 city vehicles to evaluate road conditions daily.
- The technology is expected to streamline the process of identifying and addressing potholes, making it more efficient and cost-effective than traditional methods.
- The city aims to use this technology to make roads safer for citizens, with improvements expected to be visible in a matter of weeks.
- The new technology is set to be ready for use on March 1st.
Introduction to AI-Powered Road Maintenance
The city of Lakeland, Florida, is taking a significant step towards improving road maintenance by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The city has recently signed a four-year contract with Roadways Management Technologies, worth $60,000 per year, to implement AI Sensor Roadway Intelligence. This innovative solution aims to tackle the persistent problem of potholes on the city’s roadways. By harnessing the power of AI, the city hopes to create safer and more efficient roads for its citizens.
How the Technology Works
The AI-powered system involves installing sensors and cameras on 15 city vehicles, which will take pictures every 75 feet to evaluate road conditions daily. This data will be collected and stored in a database, where crews can analyze and evaluate it to identify areas requiring maintenance. The technology is designed to streamline the process of identifying and addressing potholes, making it more efficient and cost-effective than traditional methods. According to city spokesperson, Jamin Smith, "Whether it’s evaluating the vibrations that are being registered through our cars on our roads, this is just a way of going ahead and streamlining the process per se." The use of AI technology allows for real-time monitoring and analysis of road conditions, enabling crews to respond quickly to emerging issues.
Comparison to Traditional Methods
The traditional method of evaluating road conditions involved manually driving on and visually checking city streets every two years, at a cost of $120,000. In contrast, the new AI-powered system provides a more efficient and cost-effective solution. With the ability to monitor road conditions daily, the city can identify and address potholes more quickly, reducing the risk of accidents and improving overall road safety. As Smith noted, "Now this process, what makes this technology better is it’s happening in real-time." The use of AI technology also reduces the need for manual labor, making the process more efficient and freeing up resources for other important tasks.
Benefits and Expectations
The city of Lakeland expects to see significant benefits from the implementation of this technology. With the ability to monitor road conditions in real-time, crews can respond quickly to emerging issues, reducing the risk of accidents and improving overall road safety. The technology is also expected to reduce the need for manual labor, making the process more efficient and cost-effective. According to Smith, "The city of Lakeland is pioneering the way we use this technology to make safer roads for all of our citizens." Residents can expect to see improvements in a matter of weeks, with the new technology set to be ready for use on March 1st.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The city of Lakeland’s decision to implement AI-powered road maintenance technology is a significant step towards creating safer and more efficient roads. By leveraging the power of AI, the city can streamline the process of identifying and addressing potholes, making it more efficient and cost-effective than traditional methods. As the technology becomes operational, the city can expect to see significant improvements in road safety and maintenance. With the potential for this technology to be replicated in other cities, the impact of AI-powered road maintenance could be far-reaching, leading to safer and more efficient roads for citizens across the country. As the city of Lakeland continues to pioneer the use of this technology, it will be interesting to see the long-term benefits and potential applications of AI in road maintenance.