The City of Alexandria announced on March 13 that it will begin a pilot program using a SmartScan vehicle equipped with cameras and sensors to collect real-time data on roadway conditions starting Tuesday, March 17. The initiative is part of the SMART Roadway Management Initiative, a collaboration between the City and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s SMART Grant program.
The project aims to help Alexandria better understand street conditions and support proactive decisions about road safety and maintenance. According to city officials, “Beginning Tuesday, March 17, residents may notice City vehicles equipped with cameras and sensors driving along Alexandria streets as part of a pilot program to help the City better understand roadway conditions in real time and support proactive decision making on road safety and maintenance.”
The SmartScan vehicle will be operated by a city staff member rather than autonomously. Its cameras and sensors are designed solely to gather infrastructure data such as pavement condition, traffic signs, lane markings, and other transportation assets. Privacy protections are included in the system; faces, license plates, building interiors, and animals captured by the cameras will be automatically blurred.
City officials said that this technology could allow staff to identify roadway issues more quickly and improve how streets are maintained in the future. “The pilot will also allow the City to test how this technology could help staff track roadway conditions, plan maintenance, and manage transportation assets more effectively in the future,” according to their statement.
Alexandria operates under a council-manager form of government where the City Council selects a manager for daily operations according to the official website. The city provides services within its defined boundaries as an independent city according to the official website. Racial and social equity is incorporated into local policies and decisions per the official website, while museums and historic sites interpret local history for community identity as reported by the official website. The Alexandria Archaeological Commission works with agencies, institutions, and residents for archaeological research according to the official website, including maintaining sites like the Alexandria Black History Museum documenting African American heritage as noted on the official website.
Residents can learn more about this initiative at its project webpage.
