Chongqing - As Chongqing, a megacity in Southwest China, embarks on a journey to modernize urban governance, technology is proving to be an indispensable ally. The city is revolutionizing its infrastructure management with innovations like smart road inspection vehicles.
Involving 3,000 key facilities for quick emergency response
A smart road inspection vehicle equipped with a high-definition camera and intelligent recognition system recently patrolled Puti Subdistrict, Changshou District, Chongqing. While moving at 30 km/h, its roof-mounted camera detected cracks in the road, instantly flagging the issue on the vehicle's onboard computer.
Meanwhile, Changshou District Urban Management Bureau received an alert on the exact location of the damaged pavement and quickly went to address the issue.
"The vehicle detects not only cracks but also road subsidence, potholes, and 12 other issues," said Gan Liyong, deputy director of Changshou District Urban Management Bureau. He highlighted that smart technology helps urban workers quickly spot and resolve problems, especially in large communities where issues can be easily overlooked.
The Smart City Operations Management Center of Jiangbei District also integrates over 30,000 video feeds from public security, environmental monitoring, and other systems. It identifies 70 types of urban management issues in real time, involves over 3,000 key facilities like bridges and tunnels, and responds quickly to emergencies.
The platform integrates data from city operations like sanitation, lighting, and parking with continuous updates. This allows officials to predict, assess, and address issues efficiently. For example, on May 26 last year, an inspector discovered a blocked manhole near the Shanshuijia community, causing sewage overflow. The problem was reported through the smart platform and resolved within four hours, significantly speeding up response time.
"Since its launch, the platform has managed over 3.7 million cases," said an official with the Smart City Operations Management Center of Jiangbei District. "Public satisfaction has risen from 40% to over 95%, thanks to the unified management system."
The Smart City Operations Management Center of Jiangbei District. (Photo/Zheng Ran)
Septic tanks and parks under constant digital surveillance
Hazardous septic tank gases compose a critical element of urban safety. In Jiangbei District, over 2,000 septic tanks are under continuous digital surveillance.
At the Changshou District Digital Urban Operation and Governance Center, real-time data from the septic tank monitoring system displayed each tank's location, status, and gas levels. "This is our intelligent housekeeper," Gan said, explaining that it monitors methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, and ammonia levels, ensuring community safety around the clock.
The system triggered an alarm upon detecting dangerous gas levels in the septic tank of the Changshengqiao community's public toilet. Maintenance workers quickly responded, confirming elevated methane levels with a portable meter. They promptly put up safety signs, opened the manhole cover, and used a blower to disperse the harmful gases, resolving the situation in under 30 minutes.
Smart supervision is transforming urban management. According to a Jiangbei District subdistrict grid clerk, "Video-based smart detection cases have increased from 0.5% in 2016 to 35% today, with an accuracy rate of over 95%. Smart supervision is becoming the backbone of urban governance."
QR codes are now common at key traffic intersections and public parks in Jiangbei District. Citizens can scan them to locate parking spaces and public restrooms, further enhancing the district's convenience and quality of life. The smart city platform is proving to be a game-changer for urban governance, paving the way for a more efficient, responsive, and citizen-friendly future.