By Kevin Garcia, General Manager of Civil Solutions, Trimble, and Dinorah Sanchez, Director of Product Management, Trimble
Drive anywhere in the US and it’s hard to miss a widening, concerning gap between the current state of roads and highways and the future requirements.
Given the rising demand for infrastructure investment, growing traffic volume and budget shortfalls, a smarter way of managing road maintenance is needed now. By integrating geospatial data, AI-powered analysis and connected software workflows, organizations can move away from delayed, reactive fixes and take action earlier to reduce costs, minimize disruptions and improve long-term performance.
This shift is already gaining traction around the world, with agencies seeing real results and finding better ways to manage their road networks.
Why this matters
When road conditions decline, the impact goes far beyond a rough ride. Poor pavement leads to vehicle damage, travel delays and safety concerns that affect both individuals and the broader economy.
According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, 39% of major US roads are in poor or mediocre condition. That costs the average driver more than $1,400 each year in extra vehicle expenses and lost time. Even with increased funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, roadways still face a projected $684 billion funding gap over the next decade.
Continuing with traditional approaches is not enough. Agencies need better visibility into conditions across their networks and a more coordinated way to act on that information.
