Top 5 Trending Technologies According to The APWA in 2023

 

The Top Five Trending Technologies of 2023 have been revealed by the American Public Works Association (APWA), which gathered votes from public works professionals.

The list highlights popular technologies that help public works specialists provide crucial services to numerous communities. The APWA considers the anticipated influence on public works across all departments and at all levels before identifying technology as a trend.

"Identifying the year's top technology for public works is usually a fun task. According to APWA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Scott D. Grayson, CAE, "as the leading educational institution for public works professionals, APWA wishes to be able to offer technical solutions to assist our members in serving their communities.

The Top 5 Trending Technologies for 2023 are:

1. Drone/UAS Technology: This technology reduces costs while assisting with power plant continuous passive monitoring, bridge and sewage inspections, picture integration with CAD systems, and inspection of sewer and bridge networks.
2. Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Nearly every other public works technology is impacted by GIS.
3. Asset management technologies improve planning and data tracking, increasing efficiency and lowering costs.
4. Technologies for Field Crews: This technology boosts productivity and enables workers to access an office environment while being on the job site, for example, by pulling up a work order.
5. Electric Vehicles (EV): The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is hastening the adoption of EVs by improving battery life and making EVs more affordable.

"Technology advances at such a rapid pace that we consistently need to evaluate how it can enhance the role of public works. APWA's trending technologies help our members better serve their communities, whether it's improving safety by using drones to inspect bridges, improving decision-making by using asset management tools, or figuring out how many people can be housed in a facility during inclement weather," said APWA President Keith Pugh.