Driving innovation forward in Public Works
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City showcases new technologies during National Public Works Week
National Public Works Week, which takes place until Saturday, May 21, is a time to celebrate the dedicated staff who work behind the scenes in Vaughan to provide high-quality services to residents and businesses. To ensure Service Excellence is always top-of-mind, the City of Vaughan’s Public Works team continues to introduce a number of innovations using cutting-edge technology to help keep the city moving. The innovations include:
SmartParks
SmartParks is a new pilot project that allows park visitors to access amenity and facility bookings, report a problem such as litter, and make a service request with the scan of a QR code on their smartphone! This exciting new technology that’s designed to connect residents with City services is available in the following parks:
- Chatfield District Park
- Dufferin District Park
- North Maple Regional Park
- North Thornhill District Park
- Sonoma Heights District Park
The QR codes are located on lamp posts near entrances or amenities, as well as fencing by gateway entrances to sports facilities. For more information on the City’s SmartParks pilot project, visit vaughan.ca/SmartParks.
IrisGO for Road Operations
IrisGO is a device that’s been installed on City vehicles to identify road-related issues as staff drive around and work throughout the community. IrisGO uses artificial intelligence to collect data on deficiencies, such as broken light fixtures, debris on roads and potholes, and then automatically creates a work order to address them. This results in safer, more efficient processes to identify and resolve road-related matters.
Ultimately, this new technology provides City staff with real-time automated road condition monitoring, leading to significant cost savings from manually collecting this information. For details on the City’s road operations, visit the Transportation and Fleet Management Services webpage.
Stormwater Ponds Automated Monitoring
The City has launched an exciting new proactive approach to stormwater pond monitoring with an innovative technology that automatically monitors the quantity and quality of stormwater in select City ponds, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The monitoring system provides location-based real-time data utilizing a secure and private wireless data network and industrial grade water and air sensors to remotely measure a variety of data from water temperature and salinity to pH and water levels. The monitoring system will provide early warnings to City staff to resolve any issues quicker than ever before and allow City staff to make more strategic decisions for stormwater pond maintenance by using real-time data. To learn more about the City’s stormwater ponds, visit vaughan.ca/stormwater.
New Tree Maintenance Strategy
Through a new Council-endorsed Tree Maintenance Strategy (PDF), every City-owned street tree will now be pruned at seven-year intervals. This initiative – which also includes increased tree inspections – allows the City to adopt a more cost-effective approach to tree maintenance and reflects the ongoing commitment to good governance and financial stewardship, as outlined in the 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan. It also prioritizes quality services by managing and improving the urban forest and increasing canopy cover – an important element of green infrastructure and the overall health of the Vaughan community and its ecosystem.
City staff prune trees routinely according to species, age and, in some cases, location. There are many benefits to regular tree pruning, including:
- promoting good tree health.
- removing potential safety hazards.
- making vehicle and pedestrian clearances.
- reducing storm damage from high winds, snow and freezing rain.
- accommodating streetlights, buildings and utilities.
The City is aiming to prune approximately 25,000 City-owned trees in 2022. For more information, visit vaughan.ca/trees.
Winter Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology
The City uses AI technology, known as the Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS), in its winter maintenance operations. It leverages weather forecasts, data from actual road conditions and Vaughan’s operating best practices to recommend the appropriate treatment for the City’s roads and sidewalks. In 2018, Vaughan became the first municipality in Canada to adopt this technology, which has since been used throughout Ontario.
Although salt application is an important and necessary piece of keeping roads and motorists safe throughout Canada’s winters, it can impact the environment. In just three winter seasons, the City has reduced salt usage by 30 per cent and avoided approximately $400,000 in costs annually. This has positively affected environmental and fiscal sustainability.
The City’s Public Works team’s dedication to these initiatives is reflected in the city-building priorities of the Council-approved 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan. Enhancing operational performance and fostering a culture of continuous improvement is central to the mission of Vaughan’s Public Works employees. Their achievements continue to receive national recognition for innovative thinking, the development of new best practices and a commitment to Service Excellence.
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