Drone-Based Winter Maintenance Monitoring in Vilnius

Summary

Vilnius uses drones, artificial intelligence and vehicle tracking data to monitor winter maintenance of pedestrian and cycling routes. Introduced in November 2023 and expanded in 2026, the system monitors 222 predefined locations across five city districts. Approximately four hours after snowfall, weather permitting, drones capture images that are analysed using AI to identify snow-covered sidewalks, public transport stops and areas requiring further maintenance. Results are integrated into the city's operational management system to direct maintenance crews to unresolved locations. A public dashboard launched in February 2026 combines drone inspection results, maintenance data from 188 sensor-equipped vehicles, precipitation records and residents' service requests. In January 2026 alone, drones collected 2,142 image observations, including repeated inspections. The case demonstrates how automated monitoring, operational data integration and public reporting can improve oversight and accountability in winter maintenance. Quantified impacts on maintenance efficiency and pedestrian or cycling safety have not yet been independently established.

Related resources

• Vilnius Snow Maintenance Dashboard · Toolkit · Dataset · 2026