AI to Help Keep Russian Streets Clear This Winter
AI-powered navigation systems will support snow‑removal operations in the Moscow Region, while St. Petersburg deploys neural networks to monitor dangerous ice buildup on rooftops
AI for Smarter Winter Logistics
Artificial intelligence is becoming a key tool in Russia’s response to severe winter weather. The Moscow Region will be the first in the country to use an AI‑driven navigation system for large‑scale snow removal.
Integrated into Yandex Vector, the AI will generate street‑clearing plans, assign tasks, and build optimized routes. More than 10,000 public‑utilities workers and 4,000 vehicles—including mini‑tractors, loaders, and trucks—will be connected to the system.
Supervisors will use the AI interface to divide territories into zones and issue work orders. The more accurate the routing, the more time and budget the region can save. Even sidewalks—areas where traditional navigation apps often fail—will be included in the system. Yandex Vector will track vehicle locations in real time and adjust cleaning routes as conditions change.
Monitoring Snow and Ice Hazards
In warmer months, Yandex Vector was already tested in the Moscow Region for tasks such as watering city flowerbeds and street cleaning. Now the technology is being prepared for winter deployment in St. Petersburg.
There, AI will help identify dangerous icicles forming on rooftops. If the system detects hazardous ice buildup, building owners may face fines of up to about $1,100. During the winter of 2024, the AI monitoring system demonstrated reliability, detecting more than 20 violations.
These tools are expected to enhance public safety, reduce emergency-response costs, and help cities manage winter conditions more efficiently.
