Utah DOT Pilots Blyncsy's AI Road Maintenance Technology

Addressing Road Maintenance with AI-Powered Technology

Commuters frequently encountering issues like potholes and worn lane markings often rely on reporting these concerns to their local department of transportation. This reactive approach is what Utah-based startup Blyncsy aims to change.

Introducing Payver: A Proactive Solution

Blyncsy, a movement and data intelligence firm, is launching Payver, an AI-powered technology designed to provide transport agencies with current data regarding road maintenance and improvement needs. This service is being offered to governmental bodies with flexible terms and reduced costs.

Initial Pilot Program in Utah

The Utah DOT will initiate the first pilot program on June 1st, deploying Payver within Salt Lake County, encompassing over 350 miles of roadways. Blyncsy anticipates announcing additional pilot programs across various states in the coming weeks.

The Shift Towards Smart Transportation

While the U.S. DOT has invested over $250 million in smart city and advanced transportation initiatives, much of the focus has been on enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of public transit systems. Blyncsy’s founder and CEO, Mark Pittman, contends that inadequate road maintenance poses both safety risks and contributes to increased carbon emissions.

The Genesis of Payver

“The concept for Payver originated in 2017 when the UDOT executive director expressed a desire to be the first department nationwide with real-time situational awareness of our roadways,” Pittman explained to TechCrunch. “The goal is to automatically detect issues – such as roadside debris, missing stop signs, or faded paint lines – without relying on public complaints or waiting for accidents to occur.”

How Payver Works

Blyncsy’s Payver technology gathers HD images and videos from diverse sources, including Nexar dash cameras. This data is then analyzed using machine vision, delivering actionable insights to customers.

These insights are presented to transit agencies through a user-friendly dashboard and can also be integrated into existing maintenance management software to prioritize repair tasks.

UDOT Pilot Focus and Budget

The initial UDOT pilot will concentrate on monitoring paint lines, a fundamental requirement for supporting autonomous vehicle technology. Future expansion may include monitoring potholes, construction barrels, and damaged signage. UDOT has allocated approximately $90,000 for this pilot program, according to Rob Miles, UDOT’s director of traffic and safety.

Moving Beyond Complaint-Based Systems

“Currently, we conduct lidar scans of our roadways every two years, but the resolution isn’t sufficient for managing lane striping effectively,” Miles stated to TechCrunch. “We primarily address striping issues based on public complaints. We hope this new data collection system will enable a transition to a more objective, data-driven approach.”

Prioritizing Equity and Inclusion

As Payver evolves, Pittman emphasized a priority on optimizing active mobility by predicting repair needs for pedestrian crossings and identifying safe locations for bike lanes. This is crucial for ensuring equitable and inclusive transportation options.

Addressing Systemic Disparities

Payver can also help address disparities in road conditions across different communities, according to Pittman, enabling DOTs to provide equitable services to all citizens.

“Pete Buttigieg recently highlighted how transportation infrastructure has historically contributed to systemic racism by disproportionately impacting lower-income communities located near highways,” he noted.

“A similar pattern exists in roadway maintenance. Lower-income populations are less likely to file complaints, but the impact of a pothole can be significantly more severe, potentially leading to vehicle damage that jeopardizes a family’s financial stability. This is less likely to be the case in higher-income areas.”