Mayor Bevilacqua: Vaughan wins E.A. Danby Award – Certificate of Merit
The following statement
was issued by Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua after a special virtual presentation
during the June 22 Council meeting:
"I
am pleased to announce the City of Vaughan has received the E.A. Danby Award –
Certificate of Merit in the category of Municipal Administration for the City's
Winter Maintenance Artificial Intelligence System. This award is administered
through the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario
(AMCTO), an organization representing and promoting excellence in local
government management and leadership. Each year, the E.A. Danby Award is given
to municipalities that apply innovative techniques to produce tangible results
with positive outcomes.
"As
a City, we take pride in being innovative and forward-thinking. This award
further demonstrates staff's commitment to Service Excellence and our mission
to put citizens first in everything we do. Every day in every way, Vaughan's
dedicated Public Works professionals work tirelessly to ensure our city runs smoothly
and safely. The team continuously strives to implement new and innovative
technologies that improve the delivery of critical services while maximizing
the value of taxpayers' hard-earned dollars.
"The
City uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, known as the Maintenance
Decision Support System, in its winter road maintenance operations. This
technology leverages weather forecasts, real-time road condition data and
Vaughan's operating best practices to recommend the best treatment for the City's
roads and sidewalks. I am proud that Vaughan was the first municipality in
Canada to use this technology, which has since been adopted throughout Ontario.
This achievement reinforces Vaughan as a leader in our city-building efforts.
"Although
salt application is an important and necessary part of keeping roads and
motorists safe throughout the winter, it can adversely impact the environment.
Since the adoption of this innovative AI technology in 2020, the City has
reduced salt usage by 30 per cent and saved approximately $400,000 to date.
This has positively affected environmental and fiscal sustainability and, most
importantly, enhanced the citizen experience.
"I want to extend my gratitude and appreciation to the Transportation and Fleet Management Services department and the entire Public Works team for their efforts to ensure essential services proceed without disruption. I offer my sincere congratulations on this outstanding achievement.”
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