Abstract Manager

More and more Canadian municipalities have turned to new technologies such as artificial intelligence, for proactive and sustainable public service in the public works sector. With AI, it is possible to automate road inspections and optimize processes. One such technology is CityROVER, an AI smart camera system that was developed to scan a municipality’s road network and automatically collect data on road hazards. The application then generates detailed reports in near real time and conveniently transmits them to the cloud so that municipal staff can review on the system’s web interface, leading to efficient work planning, repairs, and asset management practices. CityROVER supports municipalities of all sizes, with over 180 municipalities in North America having worked with the technology.

While the technology is highly effective in identifying and reporting issues, it is just as important to ensure that the collected data is effectively integrated into work processes. Cities today already use Geographic Information Systems (GIS), work management tools, and systems to disseminate information to the public. The City of L’Assomption is a pioneer in the fusion, organization, collection, use and reporting of data from multiple sources, using popular tools (such as GIS system) and tools developed independently by the City. When the data collected by the AI system is fused with the staff and reports made by the public, it is then possible for municipality staff to assemble a complete picture of the issues across the entire road network. The fused data is then disseminated to field staff using an in-house work management app, allowing field staff to pursue efficient repair plans. Finally, the information can also be shared using an intuitive map interface to the public, showing the work that was completed by the City.

In this presentation, CityROVER and the City of L’Assomption will discuss common practices with respect to road maintenance operations and how AI and GIS can help complement them. Additionally, we will provide an overview of the award winning technology, how it can help maximize productivity infrastructure and asset management, and its latest features and developments, including integrated service requests. We will provide examples of the different types of data that the smart camera system will collect during a patrol, and how those reports can be further analyzed using GIS for planning more effective and efficient repairs. Finally, we will provide the municipal perspective, including examples of implementation, innovation, and the results.