Cities and transport agencies across the U.S. are testing a wave of AI tools as they confront aging roads and a long backlog of repairs. From the Pacific Islands to large mainland states, officials are seeking faster, more accurate ways to track hazards and determine which issues require immediate attention.
In Hawaii, for instance, officials are giving drivers free dashboard cameras to curb a recent rise in deadly crashes. Traffic deaths in the state rose this year, reaching 106 by October, already surpassing 2024.
The state’s new campaign, dubbed “Eyes on the Road,” will allow a thousand drivers to register for a free dashboard camera valued at $499. The campaign started in 2021 with state service vehicles but was halted during the wildfires that swept through parts of the islands.
The devices will use machine learning tools to examine road signs, guardrails, pavement markings, and other features, giving transportation staff real-time assessments of problems that need urgent attention.
In San Jose, California, officials began installing cameras on street sweepers and found that the system caught potholes with roughly 97% accuracy. The city has since mounted the cameras on parking enforcement cars to expand coverage.
Mayor Matt Mahan believes the technology could improve even further if cities share images through a common database. The city helped form the GovAI Coalition in 2024 to encourage that collaboration. The group now includes governments in several states, including Colorado, California, Oregon, Washington, Texas, and Minnesota.
Not every attempt to use AI for safety relies on cameras. Cambridge Mobile Telematics, a Massachusetts company, created a platform known as StreetVision that evaluates cellphone sensor information to detect risky driving patterns. The firm works with states to determine where road conditions may be contributing to those behaviors.
In one case, company staff noticed an unusual spike in emergency braking on a street in Washington, D.C. The issue turned out to be a stop sign blocked by an overgrown bush. Once the vegetation was trimmed, the braking pattern returned to normal.
In Texas, where the roadway network is extensive, officials are rolling out a broad AI initiative that pairs cameras with voluntary cellphone data from participating drivers. The state has been using StreetVision and other AI platforms to address widespread issues, including a recent survey of more than two hundred fifty thousand lane miles that helped locate outdated or unreadable signs.
AI analysts say these early programs signal what is coming. Many expect that most new vehicles within the next decade will be equipped with cameras, whether they are driven by people or operated autonomously.
With many entities like D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) racing to bring to market even more sophisticated tech solutions, the range of tools available to state and local governments to address the challenges they face will definitely increase.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/QBTS
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