Des Moines, IA and university researchers test AI effectiveness on property assessments
City officials approved a four-month pilot with Iowa State University's Translational AI Center. Street-level images gathered by Des Moines in 2022 will be analyzed by AI technology. The resulting data provide accurate evaluations of exterior conditions for approximately 65,000 residential properties. Pilot data will shape the city's Neighborhood Revitalization Policy and create a cost-effective process for property assessments.
Des Moines, IA
United States
Des Moines, IA streamlines new home construction with its residential combination inspection pilot
The city's Permit and Development Center (PDC) selected 18 inspectors for additional certification. This training allows each inspector to evaluate a new home's structural, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing features in a single visit. Local officials found that PDC resources were limited by multiple inspectors visiting a new home at the same time. The program started as a pilot for new single-family homes and expanded to all residential building projects.
Des Moines, IA
United States
Des Moines, IA envisions Market District redevelopment project by building its own digital twin
The city's GIS team wanted a 3D model of the $750 million project without expensive consulting fees. A digital twin of Des Moines was created on Esri's GIS software from Lidar readings taken by an aerial imaging firm and existing data. Digital twin users can click on any structure within city limits for details like height and year built. This virtual view of the city includes tools for evaluating lines of sight, calculating shadows, and viewing buildings in different weather conditions.
Des Moines, IA
United States
Des Moines, IA launches Crisis Advocacy Response Effort program mental health screening of 911 calls
The city of Des Moines is partnering with mental health professionals to launch the Crisis Advocacy Response Effort (CARE) program. The CARE program allows Broadlawns Medical Center mental health professionals to help dispatchers screen 911 calls and respond to certain calls. The goal of the program is to help prevent situations from escalating and reduce the workload for police.
Des Moines, IA
United States
Des Moines, IA partners with Flowbird Group to install smart parking stations for payments/citations
The City of Des Moines is partnering with Flowbird Group, a kerbside management and urban mobility solutions provider, to upgrade its downtown parking system. The upgrades include integrating the system with the city's citation issue system and installing over 400 solar-powered smart pay stations configured for pay-by-space parking. Enforcement officers will be able to use the wireless devices to check the status of each space without the need to issue printed citations.
Des Moines, IA
United States
Des Moines, IA sends remote cameras into the sewer system for preventative maintenance
The Public Works team partners with infrastructure firm Equix on video evaluations of public sewers. Portable cameras are dropped into sewer mains for street-by-street assessments of structural integrity and flow. These videos identify cracks and obstructions before they impact the public. Des Moines pieces together recorded surveillance to build an overview of system conditions across 1,000 miles of lines.
Des Moines, IA
United States
Des Moines, IA adds smart parking system as part of downtown revitalization effort
The 18-month parking conversion replaces 3,000 street meters with 400 kiosks. Commuters find designated numbers next to spots that are entered into kiosks when paying parking rates. The Park DowntownDSM app offers another convenient method for locating and paying for downtown spots. Des Moines pursued the project in the midst of COVID-19 to maintain parking revenues, improve enforcement, and use data to improve traffic flow.
Des Moines, IA
United States