AI Powers Van Wert's Revitilization
Determined to bring innovation and efficiency to infrastructure management, Van Wert, OH embraced the power of vialytics' AI solutions. As the city embarked on a pivotal revitalization project, it needed to address the substantial wear and tear on its 80 miles of roads, which had previously been managed reactively through resident complaints. In partnership with Tensar, vialytics equipped Van Wert with the tools to proactively manage its roads and create comprehensive plans for the future.
Van Wert
Van Wert, OH, located in the heart of the Midwest, is a small town experiencing new growth. Positioned as a center for business expansion, development, and cultural opportunities in northwest Ohio, Van Wert is strategically located between major metropolitan areas like Chicago, Detroit, Toronto, and Pittsburgh. In need of innovative solutions to usher in growth, Van Wert adopted vialytics - stepping into the future of road management.
The Shift to Intelligent Road Management
Van Wert’s 80 miles of roads, burdened by heavy trucking routes, were facing more wear and tear than the minimal staff could handle. Bill Lawson, the city’s Engineering Supervisor, shared, “There was no system for managing road conditions before vialytics.” The city's approach to road maintenance was reactive, primarily based on resident complaints. The engineering department spent more than 6 hours a week in the field responding to complaints and inspecting roads. With limited resources, the city struggled to develop a comprehensive plan for road maintenance and repair.
"There was no system for managing road conditions before vialytics."
Bill Lawson, Van Wert Engineering Supervisor
Collaborative Innovation with Tensar and vialytics
The Van Wert County Foundation's $40 million revitalization project marked a pivotal moment for the city. This investment, coupled with increasing pressure from the city council to address road conditions, sparked a transformation in Van Wert's approach to infrastructure management. Our strategic partner, Tensar, contacted the city about the benefits of integrating vialytics' AI technology for comprehensive road maintenance solutions. After learning more about vialytics, Van Wert implemented our Road Management System with the hopes of creating a 10 year plan for street improvement. This collaboration with Tensar showcases the success of our partnership and the synergy it creates, benefitting all parties involved.
Creating a Comprehensive Plan
Van Wert's adoption of vialytics has been comprehensive, involving the Engineering Department, Streets Department, Fire Department, and the Mayor's office. The system's AI-based road assessments and image documentation have provided an objective view of road conditions, while its budget planning features have enabled the creation of a comprehensive improvement plan.
With the collected data, Van Wert now has a solid foundation to propose a plan to the city council for repairing 75% of the poor-condition roads. The city is also expanding its use of vialytics, planning to inventory its 26 traffic signals and all fire hydrants, further enhancing infrastructure management efficiency.
AI for Revolutionized Infrastructure Management
Precision in Infrastructure Monitoring
AI enhances the accuracy and efficiency of identifying road defects.
Improved Resource Management
Objective data from vialytics optimizes the prioritization of maintenance tasks, streamlining team operations.
Labor and Time Savings
Our technology reduces manual effort, saving more than 20 hours of labor per week.
Conclusion
This small town's embrace of our AI technology demonstrates that innovation knows no size limits. Van Wert's story is not just about road repair; it's a testament to how forward-thinking leadership and the right tools can revitalize a community, paving the way for a brighter, more efficient future.