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Mobile mapping of traffic infrastructure

What is traffic infrastructure mobile mapping?

Traffic assets mobile mapping involves deploying a mobile mapping unit mounted on a City of Ottawa vehicle. This unit will be driven throughout Ottawa to capture high resolution imagery and geospatial data of traffic assets located in the public right of way.

It is an initiative between Traffic Services (Public Works Department) and the Geospatial Analytical, Technology & Solutions branch within the Right of Way, Heritage & Urban Design Services (Planning, Development and Building Services Department). 

How does mobile mapping work?

Mobile mapping uses City vehicles equipped with high-accuracy 360º cameras and LiDAR sensors to capture detailed images and data of public transit assets. The collected data is then processed and analyzed to create a comprehensive inventory of assets such as traffic lights, signage, paint lines and other traffic-related infrastructure.

Why is this initiative important?

This initiative leverages new technologies to improve data accuracy, reduce repeat site visits by City staff and lower operational costs in managing the City’s traffic assets. It aims to enhance the quality of traffic infrastructure by improving the quality and timeliness of information used for planning upgrades and repairs.

When will the mobile mapping inventory take place?

The mobile mapping unit will capture the City’s traffic infrastructure throughout Ottawa during the summer of 2025.

Notice of data collection

Privacy notice: 

From May to August 2025 the City of Ottawa will use vehicles equipped with cameras to capture images and corresponding location data in the City of Ottawa. The City of Ottawa will not retain or use personal information that is incidentally captured, including images of identifiable individuals or license plates. All images will be de-identified using computer vision algorithms and models that are monitored and refined continually following capture and prior to use by City staff.  

The de-identified information will be used internally by City of Ottawa staff to improve the management of City infrastructure and other municipal and planning purposes, including supporting development application processes. This initiative is expected to enhance geospatial data quality, support the training of artificial intelligence models to classify City infrastructure, and enable automated change detection to assist field operations, including the inspection, maintenance, and replacement activities. 

Information is collected for the purposes described in the paragraph above under the authority of sections 8 and 10 of the Municipal Act, 2001 and further to Motion No. PLC-ARAC 2021-5-28 [m81.1] at the Special Joint meeting of the Planning Committee and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee held from October 14 to 18, 2021 that recommended City staff develop a geospatial model to support City initiatives and projects.

Contact information

Any questions about the project including the use of information may be directed to Streetlighting@ottawa.ca.