After tallying over 3,000 votes from public works professionals, the American Public Works Association (APWA) has announced its Top Five Trending Technologies for 2023. APWA’s Top Trending Technologies highlights trending technologies with practical applications designed to aid public works professionals in delivering essential services to various-sized communities and populations of differing needs. A technology is considered trending due to its projected impact on public works across all departments and at all levels.
“Identifying the trending technologies for public works each year is always an exciting activity. As the premier educational organization for public works professionals, APWA wants to be able to share technological solutions to help our members serve their communities,” said APWA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Scott D. Grayson, CAE.
The 2023 Top Five Trending Technologies are:
- Drones/UAS Technology
- Bridge and sewer inspections, image integration with CAD systems, and continuous passive monitoring of power stations are some of the many areas seeing more efficiencies and cost savings by using drones.
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- GIS has shown up consistently as a top trending technology as it intersects with nearly every other available public works tech. In addition, more and more uses are being found, such as indoor use of GIS mapping.
- Asset Management Technologies
- Integrated data collection allows for more proactive asset management, leading to better planning and tracking, which enhances efficiency and reduces costs.
- Technologies for Field Crews
- Having technology at the ready, such as being able to instantly pull up a work order on a device while in the field, continues to improve efficiency and enable workers to take the “office” to the field.
- Electric Vehicles (EV)
- The Infrastructure and Investment Job Act is helping to accelerate the move to EV. Rapid developments in improving longevity for battery life are making the switch more feasible as well.
“Technology advances at such a rapid pace that we consistently need to evaluate how it can enhance the role of public works. Whether it’s improving safety by using drones to inspect bridges, improving our decision making by using asset management tools, or using GIS technology to figure out how many people can be housed in a facility during inclement weather, APWA’s trending technologies help our members better serve their communities,” said APWA President Keith Pugh.