Chicago exploring ways to use AI in road operations in effort to improve safety

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The city of Chicago has signed a written agreement to explore ways to use artificial intelligence in road operations.

Mayor Brandon Johnson attended a conference Tuesday morning and said the tech could help improve driver safety and increase cost efficiency within the city's Department of Fleet and Facility Management.

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The company Samsara is providing the technology.

They demonstrated their new pothole detection tool, which includes sensors and video technology, so the city can accurately log where potholes are at any given point across the area and fill them swiftly.

It could do the same for modernizing snow operations and trash collection.

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Samsara also introduced safety tools for school bus drivers, in which AI can detect if a driver is drowsy.

Company executives say their platform has been successful in other cities, like Kalamazoo, Michigan; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Mayor Johnson says Chicago, too, is committed to innovation, and this system could improve road safety.

"We have become a city known for its ability to host iconic events and meetings, a world-class transportation system and a leader in new and innovative uses of technology. And today, we are applying that same spirit modernizing our government operations," Johnson said.

The city has not officially stated when this AI technology might be implemented, solely that it is exploring potential uses.