Hawaii Enlists Citizen Drivers and AI to Revolutionize Road Maintenance

• 14 January 2026
• Construction Focus
• 943 Views

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) has launched a pioneering program, “Eyes on the Road,” using artificial intelligence to transform how the state identifies and repairs road hazards. By turning everyday commuters into data collectors, the state aims to stay ahead of the relentless wear and tear caused by Hawai‘i’s unique volcanic and tropical environment.

In collaboration with the University of Hawai‘i and Blyncsy (a Bentley Systems company), HDOT has distributed 1,000 high-definition dashcams to local residents. As these volunteers drive their normal routes, the cameras capture anonymized footage of the roadway.

The AI-driven process includes:

• Automatic Detection: Machine learning algorithms scan the footage for guardrail damage, overgrown vegetation, and road debris.
• Rapid Reporting: Issues are uploaded to the cloud via cellular connection, providing real-time visibility to maintenance crews.
• Anonymity: All data is anonymized to protect the privacy of participating residents.

Traditional road inspections are often slow and expensive, sometimes costing up to $300 per mile and taking months to process. According to Mark Pittman, Senior Director of Transportation AI at Bentley, Blyncsy’s technology delivers this information at 50% lower cost than traditional methods and 98% less time for data processing.

This initiative follows Bentley Systems’ recent acquisition of Talon Aerolytics and Pointivo, further cementing the company’s position as a leader in “Asset Analytics.” By combining these technologies, Bentley is providing infrastructure owners with the tools to modernize everything from highways to power grids through automated, data-driven insights.

• Blyncsy
• Bentley Systems
• Hawaii
• DOT