AI Helps Spot Potholes on Russian Roads

Artificial intelligence is now scanning roads across St. Petersburg, detecting potholes in real time and holding city agencies and businesses accountable for repairs.

Russia is ramping up the use of advanced technologies in transportation and urban infrastructure. In 2025, AI systems identified pavement damage on nearly 40 streets in St. Petersburg—including public roads, shopping mall parking lots, and gas station forecourts. With automated monitoring, violations are registered instantly, and responsible parties are required to fix them promptly, according to Moskovsky Komsomolets.

Eight mobile units patrol the streets daily, scanning roadways and adjacent areas. The AI system automatically flags potholes, and failure to fix them in time can lead to a fine of 30,000 rubles. Since the beginning of the road maintenance season, violations have been documented in 28 municipal districts and 11 privately owned areas. If defects aren’t resolved within four weeks, follow-up inspections trigger financial penalties.

The impact has already been significant: in 2024, St. Petersburg repaired three times more asphalt than in previous years. Private companies are now following the city’s lead, and the number of potholes on their premises has dropped by half thanks to automated oversight.

Russian officials say they plan to continue expanding the use of digital tools in the transportation sector, aiming to improve road quality and enhance traffic safety.