After tallying over 1,000 votes from public works professionals internationally, the American Public Works Association (APWA) has announced its Top Five Trending Technologies for 2022.
January 17, 2022 | Emma Tyborski
The American Public Works Association (www.apwa.net) is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 30,000 members involved in the field of public works. APWA serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy, and the exchange of knowledge. “Each year APWA spotlights the best in trending technologies, chosen by public works professionals worldwide. APWA highlights these trends in its role as the voice of public works professionals. It is always exciting to see which technologies are being used by the profession,” said APWA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Scott D. Grayson, CAE. The technology contenders are selected based on the anticipated impact on the public sector—across all departments and at all levels. Those 16 trending technologies then go toe-to-toe in a bracket challenge, where APWA opens the voting up to public works professionals around the world.
APWA’s Top Trending Technologies highlights trending technologies with practical applications designed to aid public works professionals delivering essential services to communities of all sizes, and to meet the needs of various populations. A technology is considered trending due to its projected impact on public works across all departments, and at all levels.
The 2022 Top Five Trending Technologies are:
Asset Management
– Integrated data collection allows for more proactive asset management, leading to better planning and tracking, which enhances efficiency and reduces costs.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
– GIS continues to show up as a top trending technology with its ability to intersect with other trending technologies, allowing for mapping, spatial functionality, and asset management.
SMART Technologies
– These technologies identify and interconnect public assets managing the data to improve efficiencies, enhance safety and enable cost savings.
Intelligent Transportation Systems
– Actuated intersections, managed lanes, and alternate route management are a few of the things now in use to facilitate traffic flow. Using ITS to monitor traffic reduces commuter frustration by shortening travel times.
Fleet Electrification
– Climate protection and cost savings lead the way in the push toward fleet electrification. Reduced maintenance costs are expected as well as EV fleets become more common.
“Rapid Technological developments can improve asset management and safety for public works professionals, resulting in efficiencies and cost savings for public works agencies. In APWA’s role as the premier technical and educational resource for public works professionals, keeping an eye on trending technologies allows our members to better fulfill their missions,” said APWA President Stan Brown. “Whether it’s improving traffic flow, or developing an electric fleet, public works professionals are continuously improving the lives of the people they serve.”
APWA uses the Top Five Trending Technologies in developing programs such as Click, Listen & Learn webinars, APWA Reporter articles, and comprehensive, high-quality education resources. APWA created the “Top Five Tech” logo to identify APWA Reporter articles, Click, Listen & Learn webinars, and APWA Public Works Expo (PWX)/PWX@Home and Snow Conference education sessions. PWX exhibitors can also use the logo on PWX marketing material to customers, including on their booth and in presentations.
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