By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
The City of Decatur has jumped full-go into the world of AI.
At its latest meeting, city council signed on with Vialytics, a worldwide software company that will provide the city some amazing technology to provide all manner of information on infrastructure and more.
Vialytics sales manager Slater Rush was on hand at the meeting and provided council with information on how the system works, what it offers, and what it can do for a city.
For $14,560 a year, plus a $4,750 setup fee, Vialytics will provide the city with special cell phones to be mounted on city vehicles. The vehicles, as they are driven on city streets, will uncover all manner of problems – big ones and small ones – and things which may become problems.
Vialytics automatically photographs the road every 10 feet. The system logs each image with GPS data and timestamps, then uses AI (artificial intelligence) to detect pavement issues like cracking, patches, potholes, and surface wear.
It also recognizes key assets such as signs, manholes, drains, markings, creating a complete digital view.
All the information will be recorded on video-type devices which city officials and employees can use.
“It’s another way of being proactive, let’s get things done,” Mayor Dan Rickord said.
The Vialytics system had been discussed at a November council meeting, then again at the latest meeting, with Rush answering numerous questions.
The mayor said he had gathered information on the Vialytics system at several conferences he had attended. “There was a lot of discussion; this is kind of an asset management tool.
“Road management has never been easier,” noted Rush, who said he is based north of Indianapolis.
NO JOBS LOST: Mayor Rickord pointed out that no jobs will be lost by bringing on Vialytics.
“This is not going to get rid any employees; (anyone affected) can be used somewhere else,” he pointed out.
Earlier, Rickord said, “It will empower our employees to plan, to take on some projects on their own” as problem areas are discovered through the AI system.
Vialytics is being used in Bluffton, New Haven, Allen County and in other Indiana muncipalities.
In fact, Rush pointed out that his company is in use in 30 to 25 states – and seven countries!
Although most municipalities are on three-year deals, Decatur was offered a one-year start. “I appreciate the one-year deal, that gives us a chance to see if we like it,” the mayor said.
“I like it, I’ll move to try it for one year,” Councilman Matt Dyer added. He was seconded and a unanimous vote to approve the deal followed.
The setup is likely to begin within two weeks after Vialytics receives the contract,” Rush said.
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