NEWS RELEASE: San José AI Road Safety Pilot Data Shows 97% Accuracy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Chelsea Palacio, Public Information Manager, Information Technology Department 408-406-5723; [email protected] Tasha Dean, Chief Communications Officer, Office of Mayor Matt Mahan 510-612-6488, [email protected] San José AI Road Safety Pilot Data Shows 97% Accuracy Early results show AI can make San José's streets safer and cleaner SAN JOSE, Calif. (September 29, 2025) - The City of San José today released results from its Al-powered Road Safety Conditions Pilot, showing that the system identified potholes with 97% accuracy and trash or debris with 88% accuracy. Building on this success, the City is now in phase two testing of the pilot technology with expanded capabilities and additional funding from the Toyota Mobility Foundation. First launched in 2023, the pilot uses cameras mounted on City vehicles equipped with AI technology trained to spot parking violations, illegal dumping, potholes, and lived-in vehicles in real time - with the goal of allowing City crews to respond faster, fix issues before they escalate, and prevent damage or safety hazards for drivers and pedestrians. "The early results are clear - AI can transform how we serve our residents," said Mayor Matt Mahan. "This pilot has proven that we have the power to identify and fix street-level problems before they become our residents' problems. By making government more productive we not only make our lives better but also start rebuilding trust in our institutions." Led by the City's Information Technology Department in partnership with the Transportation Department, cameras were mounted on City vehicles to capture footage and train the AI model. Phase one results are promising, and phase two is underway - powered by a $260,000 grant from the Toyota Mobility Foundation - to sharpen the system's accuracy, expand community outreach, and teach the AI to spot more issues in bike lanes and on sidewalks. This next phase also broadens video collection to vehicles such as street sweepers and deepens partnerships with academic institutions, including San José State University which helped develop a model to detect construction signs and traffic cones. "As the Capital of Silicon Valley, it is only fitting that we lead by piloting innovative solutions in the Transportation and Aviation City Service Area, building safe and efficient systems that enhance community livability throughout the city," said City Manager Jennifer Maguire. "Technology should serve people," said Chief Information Officer and Director of the Information Technology Department Khaled Tawfik. "This pilot helps us shift from a reactive service delivery model to one that proactively detects and anticipates problems. Equally important, it safeguards privacy and allows San José to share insights with other cities through our leadership in the GovAI Coalition." The system follows the City's Digital Privacy and AI policies. Personally identifiable information, such as faces, addresses, or license plates, are automatically blurred to protect resident privacy. "This is about making San José safer and easier to move around in," said Director of the Transportation Department John Ristow. "If we can spot issues sooner, we can fix them faster. That's a win for everyone whether they bike, walk, take transit, or drive our streets." As part of this effort, San José is building the nation's first open-source AI training database through the GovAI Coalition on road safety for cities, researchers, and universities to share resources and advance AI detection capabilities. San José welcomes collaboration from both public and private partners to advance this work. By joining the coalition and helping to scale this innovative technology, organizations can accelerate safer, cleaner, and more resilient streets, not just in San José, but in cities across the country. Today's news follows the announcement of the inaugural winners of the City's groundbreaking AI Incentive Program, the first city-run grant program of its kind in the United States. Designed to support early-stage AI companies tackling critical real-world problems, the initiative awards both cash grants and hands-on support from leading tech, venture capital, and city partners to help startups thrive. It also comes on the heels of a newly launched Innovation Hub - an always open portal for vendors to bring ideas to the city with monthly in-person pitch days. To learn more about partnership opportunities, contact the City's Information Technology Department using the Road Safety Conditions Pilot Partnership Form. About the City of San José With almost 1 million residents, San José is one of the most diverse large cities in the United States and is Northern California's largest city and the 12th largest city in the nation. San José's transformation into a global innovation center has resulted in one of the largest concentrations of technology companies and expertise in the world. About the Information Technology Department The City of San José's Information Technology Department leads the City's technology strategy, infrastructure, and digital services to improve operations and deliver exceptional service to residents, businesses, and visitors. The department is also recognized for its leadership in responsible AI innovation, ensuring that emerging technologies are implemented ethically, transparently, and in ways that protect privacy while delivering real benefits to the community. ###