Limiting construction noise, detecting potholes priorities for rising NYC transit tech startups

Source Domain: statescoop.com

It’s that time of year again, when New York City transit agencies once again turn to startups and emerging technologies to tackle some of the metropolis’ biggest transportation challenges, like potholes, aging subway trains and construction noise, through the eighth annual competition led by the Transit Tech Lab, a business accelerator for startup and growth-stage transportation technology companies.

A common theme across this year’s cohort is using artificial intelligence, cameras and motion sensors to address infrastructure monitoring, bridge safety, construction management and operational resilience, areas that transit leaders say are increasingly critical as aging infrastructure and climate threats strain systems across the region. Eighteen companies focused on data modernization and improving infrastructure.

“This NYC DOT is going to be aggressively delivering on our Vision Zero goals, with ambitious, bold projects to make our streets safer. Doubling down on this work will require looking at every opportunity to become a more efficient and organized agency,” Mike Flynn, commissioner of New York City’s Transportation Department, said in a press release in January, when the competition began.

Cyvl, a Boston-based startup, will mount cameras and sensors on vehicles driving throughout the metro area, like street sweepers or garbage trucks, to automatically detect potholes and other pavement problems, in an effort to replace manual inspections with searchable map of infrastructure conditions. The city’s Department of Transportation, which has repaired more than 80,000 potholes this year so far, aims to address 311 road complaints within two days.

To tackle some of the city’s transportation problems below ground, Ontra Mobility, a transit planning platform based in New York City, will use AI to analyze subway ridership and operations data to predict travel demand, recommend service design changes and keep trains running on…

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