A unique vehicle known as the "GATS-mobile" is capturing real-time data of Ottawa's streets. This mobile mapping car is equipped with advanced technology, including 360-degree cameras, a laser range-finder, and GPS systems. It is part of a project aimed at creating a digital inventory of street signs, traffic signals, pavement markings, streetlights, and pedestrian crossings.

Michael Martin, a geospatial strategist with the city, drives the GATS-mobile through neighborhoods like Pineview. As he navigates the streets, he often attracts curious onlookers. Children walking home from school frequently stop to point at the SUV, with some even striking poses for potential Google Street View fame. "One of the unexpected joys of driving this car is seeing the smiles on people’s faces and the funny moves they make," Martin said.

The GATS-mobile is not affiliated with Google. Instead, it is operated by the city’s Geospatial Analytics, Technology and Solutions branch. Martin explained that the vehicle uses a device called Mosaic X, which captures a comprehensive 360-degree view of the surroundings. It features six cameras, including one that looks skyward, to ensure a complete visual record of the area.

In addition to the cameras, the GATS-mobile employs LiDAR technology, which is also used in autonomous vehicles. This technology provides a three-dimensional view of the environment as the vehicle moves. "We’re not using it for navigation; we’re using it to see how the world exists in 3D," Martin said.

Since launching the project in May, the team has mapped approximately 70 percent of Ottawa's road network. They are now focusing on areas outside the urban boundary. The data collected will be integrated into the city’s "digital twin," which will aid in decision-making and resource optimization for future infrastructure planning.

Martin emphasized the importance of understanding the built condition of the city as it evolves over the next decade. The data will allow city officials to assess the condition of various assets, such as streetlights and road signs. "We want to be able to say, not only is there a streetlight here, but what shape is it in, does it need repairs or is there a sign missing?" he said.

The GATS team is currently focused on traffic services, inventorying and assessing the condition of road signs and streetlights. However, the technology has broader applications. Martin noted that discussions are underway with various city departments, including forestry and emergency services, to explore how the GATS-mobile can assist in mapping and managing infrastructure.

Randal Rodger, the GATS program manager, mentioned that the technology could also be beneficial for capital construction projects. By capturing detailed images of streets before construction begins, the city can ensure that everything is restored correctly afterward. "We can drive down that street before the construction so we know in high-resolution and in detail where everything is and what the street looked like before construction," Rodger explained.

Residents who see the GATS-mobile in their neighborhoods may be curious about the images it collects. However, the data will not be made public. The team follows strict privacy guidelines, ensuring that faces and license plates are blurred out through an automated process. Martin assured that the information is kept secure and is used internally to improve city infrastructure management and planning processes.

The project aims to enhance the quality of geospatial data, support the training of artificial intelligence models for cataloging city infrastructure, and enable automated change detection for maintenance and inspection operations.