Student Developed AI Tool to Track Potholes
A West High School student created an app that detects and records road damage for potential use by state officials.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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On September 24, 2026, 17-year-old student Ivan Turan presented his AI-powered pothole detection application to the Utah Department of Transportation. The software utilizes cellphone cameras to record road hazards in real time, aiming to improve safety across Salt Lake City and the state.
Why it matters
The technology was designed to increase road safety by automating the reporting process after the developer learned of a fatal pothole-related accident. His innovation offers a potential path for local authorities to manage road maintenance more efficiently using crowd-sourced data.
The application allows users to mount a smartphone on a dashboard to record GPS coordinates and capture photographic snapshots of road damage. The tool is currently available for public use on the Apple iOS platform.
The players
Ivan Turan
He is a 17-year-old student at West High School in Salt Lake City who developed a machine-learning application to identify road hazards.
Utah Department of Transportation
This state agency is responsible for the planning, construction, and maintenance of the highway system throughout Utah.
The details
Developed by a West High School student, the app detects road damage as a driver navigates city streets. Turan is now working to build an automated system that forwards these incident reports and repair requests directly to the Utah Department of Transportation.
Timeline
September 24, 2026: The developer presented the application to the Utah Department of Transportation technology team.
2026: The project earned recognition as one of 10 Utah finalists at the National STEM Festival.
The Tech Race
This project mirrors a broader industry trend where mobile computing and AI models are replacing traditional, manual road-surveying methods. By integrating smartphone sensors with machine learning, the app positions decentralized, crowdsourced data as a viable alternative to costly government monitoring systems.
Drivers using the app on their daily commutes can contribute to a local database of road hazards simply by mounting their phones while driving. The system aims to simplify the reporting process for residents, potentially leading to faster maintenance responses in the area.
The takeaway
This development highlights how mobile-based artificial intelligence can turn routine daily travel into a functional tool for public safety. Residents interested in helping maintain local infrastructure can monitor updates on the app's integration with state repair workflows.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Artificial Intelligence.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSL.
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