A resolution by Councilman John Goncalves requests the city look into creating or purchasing a “public-facing website or mobile app” that would permit residents to track the city’s progress in clearing roads following a snowstorm.
Channel 12 News reported Goncalves as saying:
“During major winter storms, residents across Providence understandably want to know a few simple things: When has my street been plowed or when will it be plowed? We heard this loud and clear from residents during the last storm.”
Keeping the public informed on services provided by their local government often involves assistance from local printing services.
The Agency of Transportation for Vermont has since 2017 operated a public-facing website tracking its snowplows and when that state sent its equipment to Rhode Island to help with snow removal here, their trucks were still able to be tracked. Interestingly, in order to enhance the tracking experience for the public the trucks were given creative names among which were “Mr. Pushy” and “Ice Dragon”.
The pending resolution requests that Providence evaluates public mapping platforms, existing fleet GPS, staffing requirements, estimated costs and cybersecurity protection.
The Committee on Public Works was given the resolution for discussion before moving it on to the full council for a vote.