Macon-Bibb County is using artificial intelligence to decide which roads need repairs the most, with costs expected to reach tens of millions of dollars. This marks the first time the county is working with StreetScan, a company that uses data and technology to assess road conditions.
Chris Floore, the county’s chief communications officer, explained that this approach will prioritize fixing the worst roads first instead of guessing. A car equipped with cameras, lasers, and AI technology will scan about 1,200 miles of county roads over the next month and a half, depending on the weather. Major highways and state routes won’t be included since they are managed by Georgia’s Department of Transportation.
StreetScan’s AI system will analyze the collected data to rank roads on a scale of 0 to 100, looking at issues like cracks and potholes. This information will create a detailed digital map of the county’s road network using advanced LiDAR, 360° imaging, and AI-powered analytics.
Funding for the project comes from state grants, general funds, and a 1% Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). Voters will decide in March whether to extend the SPLOST period, which would continue to support road repairs and other community projects.
Macon previously worked with a similar company, Roadbotics, in 2020. That analysis found most road issues were in residential neighborhoods, not downtown. While repairs from that study are ongoing, it’s unclear when work based on the new AI scan will begin.
Mayor Lester Miller said the next SPLOST period, starting in September, will fund additional road repairs along with other projects like park improvements and transportation upgrades.
Source: macon
