One item at the meeting was the announcement of $450,000 secured for an all-inclusive playground, a first for Gloucester County. This funding was the result of joint efforts by local representatives, including Assemblyman Hutcherson and Senator Paul Moriarty. A speaker at the meeting thanked Mayor Laurie Burns and the council for their collaborative efforts, emphasizing the project’s broad benefits for the township and all of Gloucester County. The Blackbird Foundation and Green Acres funds were also mentioned as key contributors to this initiative, which was described as a “Washington Township success story.” Following the announcement, a photo opportunity was held to commemorate this achievement, although it was noted that the check presented was ceremonial and could not yet be cashed as the funding process was ongoing.

The meeting then shifted focus to the introduction of a new collaboration with Vialytics, a company specializing in intelligent road management systems. This technology uses artificial intelligence to provide real-time data and analytics on road conditions, identifying issues such as potholes and surface distresses. Dan Laugher, a representative from Vialytics, explained that their system is a straightforward application mounted in municipal vehicles, capturing images of the road every 10 to 12 feet while the vehicle is in motion. The AI processes these images to detect up to 15 different classes of roadway damage and also helps maintain an inventory of infrastructure like manholes and street signs. Traditionally, condition assessments of roadways required extensive visual inspections by engineers, often taking months to complete, but with this AI-driven approach, such assessments can be executed in mere days.

Laugher emphasized the ease of use of this technology, noting that municipal workers could be trained to operate the system in under an hour. He highlighted the partnership between Vialytics and Remington and Vernick Engineers, which facilitated the adoption of this technology within the township. The technology enables dynamic creation of action plans based on collected data, expediting the process of identifying and addressing roadway hazards. Additionally, the system uses data from an accelerometer to assess ride quality, providing further metrics on roadway conditions. This capability not only identifies existing damage but also predicts future issues by detecting early signs of wear, allowing for preventative maintenance.

The meeting also included discussions about the technology’s application beyond roadways to include municipal infrastructure like storm drains, manholes, and traffic signs. The Vialytics system can automatically catalog all traffic signs managed by the township and issue alerts if a sign becomes faded, dirty, or damaged. This comprehensive monitoring extends to conditions that could pose risks to bikers, pedestrians, and vehicles, such as raised manholes or blocked storm drains. The program’s compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) ensures data privacy by blurring identifiable features in collected images.

Questions from the council addressed how Vialytics differs from the current system where residents report issues, which are then assessed by Public Works. The township receives approximately six complaints daily, necessitating on-site assessments and consuming significant manpower. Vialytics could save up to 120 hours weekly by reducing the need for field visits. Additionally, the technology builds a digital bank of visual documentation. The cost structure for Vialytics was clarified as an annual subscription based on total centerline miles, with unlimited use included, funded by reallocating existing funds within the township’s capital road program.

Another notable topic discussed was the “smart button” technology, designed to enhance data collection for town infrastructure. This tool allows users to capture images and voice notes while on the move, streamlining the process of reporting issues like trash or roadkill and making it easier to catalog assets such as fire hydrants. Council members noted the success of similar technologies in other towns, allowing for dynamic management of various infrastructure components including street lamps and playground equipment.