Sao Paulo, the largest city in South America, is often referred to as the economic engine of Brazil. The city is home to more than 12 million residents and approximately 1,100 mapped infrastructure projects, including bridges, viaducts, tunnels and walkways. For decades, Sao Paulo lacked a systematic approach to maintaining its infrastructure. Following a viaduct collapse on the banks of the Pinheiros River, the city launched an inspection and maintenance program.
The initial phase laid the groundwork for systematic inspections and recovery. Within five years, the Municipal Secretariat of Urban Infrastructure and Works (SIURB), initiated or completed more than 300 structural recovery projects and conducted approximately 1,000 inspections. To continue making progress, SIURB contracted ARC Mobilidade to create a more technology-driven process for infrastructure monitoring and maintenance. The solution includes a wide range of Octave technologies.
The new management and situational awareness solution built on Octave technology has transformed Sao Paulo’s approach to infrastructure management.
The new management and situational awareness solution built on Octave technology has transformed Sao Paulo’s approach to infrastructure management.
Digital twins provide a holistic understanding of the structures and their surroundings. High-fidelity images of the structures allow users to perform spatial analyses and visualize all types of geographic data. Satellite images are processed monthly to detect ground movements as well as instabilities and deformation in the structures’ surfaces and surroundings — while cameras equipped with AI-based analytics monitor anomalies such as cracks, corrosion and variations in clearance at expansion joints. After automatically generated alerts are validated, an automated workflow triggers a standard operating procedure that allows for the immediate dispatch of services or the scheduling of inspections. All technologies are integrated into a monitoring center equipped with a video wall, operating stations and a situation room.
Sao Paulo is recognizing tangible benefits that exceeded expectations. The comprehensive solution detects early-stage structural issues, enabling preventive measures. Safety incidents and catastrophic failures can be avoided, and the lifespans of these structures extended. At the same time, emergency maintenance costs are reduced, minimizing potential impacts to the city’s economy.