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Improving Field Inspections With AI
Presented by
Tyler Technologies
Presented by
Tyler Technologies
Field inspectors are on the front lines for safeguarding the environment, communities, and the lives of residents. However, governments face various workforce challenges — like imminent retirements and hiring new talent — that are impacting their ability to perform these critical functions.
Agencies are now turning to solutions powered by artificial intelligence (AI). These AI platforms transform the inspection process by replacing manual paper-based methods with advanced mobile tools in the field.
2024 marks the inflection point when Generation Z is set to overtake the baby-boom generation in the full-time workforce. This transition is notable both for the institutional knowledge and experience that will leave with the baby boomers and for the numerous job vacancies their departures will create. Agencies still relying on paper-based processes or outdated technologies may find it difficult to make those open positions appealing to Gen Z, who prefer the modern technology commonly found in the private sector.
The challenge of a shrinking workforce will impact field inspections that are dependent on these paper-based and laborious processes. Unless they invest in modern solutions, state and local governments will need to manage more work with fewer inspectors who are familiar with these legacy processes.
Traditional field inspections involve many time-consuming steps to ensure compliance, safety, and efficiency. These steps include reviewing documents or prior inspection reports, traveling to the site, handwriting notes, and taking photographs. Back at the office, the inspector manually enters data into a computer system and writes a detailed report.
AI-driven mobile platforms are transforming this process. With user-friendly dashboards, data analytics, cameras, and tools to auto-generate reports, inspectors can now complete high-quality inspections in a fraction of the time while in the field.
AI-driven technologies have proven to be a game-changer for governments aiming to do more with less. Agencies have improved the efficiency, accuracy, and effectiveness of their field inspections, freeing up staff to focus on more complex tasks.
Average times for field inspections have dropped dramatically. For example, in 2022, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection — winner of a 2024 Tyler Excellence Award — adopted Tyler’s Augmented Field Operations mobile inspection application to regulate solid and hazardous waste transporters. This tool has enabled the department’s seven inspectors to conduct more than 9,500 in-person inspections a year.
“Inspections are down to 10 minutes from two to three hours,” said an official from the Department of Environmental Protection. Inspectors are now spending more time in the field doing more productive work.
In a recent podcast, Vivek Mehta, vice president and general manager of the Platform Solutions Division at Tyler Technologies, said AI technology also enables swifter action in areas identified as potential risks to residents and the community.
By applying algorithms to inspection data, geographic data, facility data, equipment data, and more, Augmented Field Operations can quantify the risk associated with failure of each site under inspection. This can include compliance risk (chances a violation will be found) and environmental health and safety risk (risk to the community should something fail). The AI algorithms use machine learning to prioritize inspections based on various risk factors, enabling agencies to inspect high-risk sites first.
“AI is here to make you more intelligent, to help you focus on tasks that matter, like ensuring that the next Flint, Michigan, [water] crisis doesn’t happen,” said Mehta. “That's where we want to spend our time.”
“Gen Z is demanding this technology as they are not going to use pen-and-paper-based outdated work practices,” added Mehta.
By investing in technology that streamlines field inspections, governments can tackle workforce challenges and better safeguard the environment, communities, and residents they serve.
This content is made possible by our sponsor Tyler Technology; it is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Route Fifty's editorial staff.
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