Public Works Professionals Select Top Five Trending Technologies for 2024

For Immediate Release

Kansas City, MO – January 16, 2024 – After tallying over 4,500 votes from public works professionals, the American Public Works Association (APWA) has announced its Top Five Trending Technologies for 2024.

APWA’s Top Trending Technologies annual contest highlights those technologies having practical applications designed to aid public works professionals in delivering essential services to various-sized communities and populations of differing needs more efficiently. Technologies are chosen because they are either rapidly developing technologies, or they are being used in new and innovative ways.

“Watching the voting for the top trending technologies is always exciting. I’m proud of our members who have made the commitment to continually seek ways to improve their service to their communities by staying on top of the latest technology trends,” said APWA President Gary Losier.

The 2024 Top Five Trending Technologies are:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Condition Assessment Data Collection
  • Using AI algorithms can improve efficiency, accuracy, and analysis capabilities, allowing for better decision-making, proactive maintenance planning, and optimal resource allocation.
• Availability of Centralized Community GIS (Geographic Information Services) mapping data
  • Integrating GIS with machine learning can help public works professionals streamline their asset management capabilities.
• Lead Service Line Identification
  • Learning to identify Lead Service Lines is taking on increasing importance with a deadline on the horizon for utilities and governments to know where and how many lead service lines they have and their strategy for replacing them.
• Microgrids
  • Microgrids are a trending technology due to their ability to integrate renewable energy sources, provide resilience during grid disruptions, and optimize energy efficiency.
• Sustainability Due to Severe Events—Improving Transportation Infrastructure
  • With weather events becoming more severe, designing transportation infrastructure to be more environmentally friendly and resilient is taking on increasing importance.

“This year’s selections differ from previous year’s illustrating how quickly technology changes. Whether it’s using AI to perform condition assessments, or taking an older technology, microgrids, and using it in a more advanced way, APWA’s trending technologies are valuable tools for our members to use to better serve their communities,” said APWA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Scott D. Grayson, CAE.

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 that feature one, or more, of the trending technologies. 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 2024, please contact APWA Education Manager April Jones at ajones@apwa.org, or by phone at (816) 595–5234.

For additional information about APWA, please contact Jared Shilhanek, Chief Growth Officer at jshilhanek@apwa.org, or by phone at (816) 595–5257.

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