AI-Powered Tool Comes to Bristol Twp to Monitor Road Concerns, Issues

Bristol Township is about  to launch an AI-powered road monitor management program, to oversee its more than 170 miles of township  roadways.

Council approved a $21,568 annual contract with Vialytics for the AI based technology at last week’s meeting.

The contract will be funded entirely through state liquid fuels funding, which comes from the taxes on gasoline, said officials.

The AI system will be installed on existing public works vehicles, capturing real-time data and images of road conditions, township manager Randee Mazur said.

“This is an AI-powered road management system,” Mazur said. “It goes on the existing cars that we have for the fleet for public works and it captures and it updates in real time consistently through AI.”

Mazur said the technology was recommended by Upper Makefield Township and has been successfully implemented by other municipalities in the region.

The AI powered system will significantly improve the township’s road maintenance planning and monitoring, officials believe.

The system will also assess the condition of street signs and stormwater inlets, Mazur said.

Officials believe the system will also help in terms of before and and work spots identified showing the improvements made at a specific location, with the indirect benefit of showing how the system itself is paying off on the townships investment of its now more than 10- year commitment to repaving its roadways.

It takes constant pictures of before and continuing on,” Mazur said.

The Vialytics system employs artificial intelligence to asses road surfaces, signage and drainage infrastructure systems.

Since launching its repaving program 145 miles of township roadways’ have been repaved.

The township is responsible for maintaining over 170 miles of roadways which does not include roads, bridges and highways maintained by PennDOT, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, and the county.

Residents can report potholes and roadway issues on township roads by calling 215-785-2758 or emailing rpp@bristoltownship.org. Problems on PennDOT roadways and highways can be reported by calling 1-800-FIX-ROAD or online.