January 26th, 2023
Public Works Professionals Select Top Five Trending Technologies for 2023

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Kansas City, MO – After tallying over 3,000 votes from public works professionals, the American Public Works Association (APWA) has announced its Top Five Trending Technologies for 2023.

APWA’s Top Trending Technologies highlights trending technologies with practical applications designed to aid public works professionals in delivering essential services to various-sized communities and populations of differing needs. A technology is considered trending due to its projected impact on public works across all departments and at all levels.

“Identifying the trending technologies for public works each year is always an exciting activity. As the premier educational organization for public works professionals, APWA wants to be able to share technological solutions to help our members serve their communities,” said APWA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Scott D. Grayson, CAE.

The 2023 Top Five Trending Technologies are:

• Drones/UAS Technology
  • Bridge and sewer inspections, image integration with CAD systems, and continuous passive monitoring of power stations are some of the many areas seeing more efficiencies and cost savings by using drones.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • GIS has shown up consistently as a top trending technology as it intersects with nearly every other available public works tech. In addition, more and more uses are being found, such as indoor use of GIS mapping.
• Asset Management Technologies
  • Integrated data collection allows for more proactive asset management, leading to better planning and tracking, which enhances efficiency and reduces costs.
• Technologies for Field Crews
  • Having technology at the ready, such as being able to instantly pull up a work order on a device while in the field, continues to improve efficiency and enable workers to take the “office” to the field.
• Electric Vehicles (EV)
  • The Infrastructure and Investment Job Act is helping to accelerate the move to EV. Rapid developments in improving longevity for battery life are making the switch more feasible as well.

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

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.

Each year, 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.

For more information about the Top Five Trending Technologies for 2023, please contact APWA Education Manager Rita Cassida at [email protected], or by phone at (816) 595–5222.

For additional information about APWA, please contact Jared Shilhanek, APWA Marketing & Communications Director at [email protected], or by phone at (816) 595–5257.

Please be sure to subscribe to the APWA Reporter, and follow @APWATWEETS and @APWAGovAffairs on Twitter to watch for more APWA news.

About APWA
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. APWA is headquartered in Kansas City, MO, has an office in Washington, DC, and 62 chapters and 97 branches throughout North America.