AI Takes Over Street-Cleaning Supervision in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg has become the first Russian city to use computer vision to monitor street cleaning, waste disposal, and urban maintenance — marking a new stage in smart city management.
AI Watches the Streets
In St. Petersburg, artificial intelligence has joined both conscience and management in overseeing the city’s janitors — and much more. The new system automatically detects illegal garbage dumping, improper cleaning, and even the spread of invasive plants such as hogweed.
AI algorithms analyze video footage captured by cameras installed on municipal vehicles. The system processes data along predefined routes, autonomously identifies problems, and generates reports that authorized officials then review for legal and administrative action.
A Comprehensive Approach to Urban Cleanliness
The system’s uniqueness lies in its comprehensive approach. Beyond supervising janitors, the AI can detect several types of urban issues — from tracking the spread of hogweed and identifying unauthorized construction work to verifying landscaping and maintenance efforts.
From Experiment to Smart City Standard
Across St. Petersburg, about 130,000 cameras have been installed, with 20,000 already equipped with computer vision capabilities. While the technology still requires refinement, Razumishkin emphasized that its implementation represents a major step forward. The city’s pioneering experience is now being studied by other Russian regions seeking to modernize their urban management systems.By integrating AI into everyday municipal operations, St. Petersburg is setting an example of how digital transformation can make city services more transparent, efficient, and accountable.
