Government agencies have always faced the challenge of doing more with less. Now, with recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, agencies of all sizes can meet rising citizen expectations in terms of technology-driven transparency, processes, and personalized services while operating within austere budgets. 

Digitally transforming traditionally manual processes and collecting real-time data can enhance efficiency, improve operational visibility, and drive more informed decision-making. These benefits translate into a strong return on investment. For example, with AI Dash Cams, the City of Allentown was able to avoid an estimated $1M in taxpayer dollars in legal fees, insurance claim costs, vehicle replacement and downtime costs, as well as employee time.

By digitalizing their operations, leaders can unlock workforce efficiencies and cost savings across their organization. Read on to explore three key ways digital transformation can help government agencies save money while improving service delivery.

1. Predictive maintenance

Unplanned maintenance throws schedules off and introduces additional costs related to downtime and repairs. Keeping equipment running keeps employees on the job and projects on schedule. 

To help accomplish this, predictive maintenance uses real-time data to assess equipment health and anticipate service needs, helping agencies address small issues before they become costly problems. Using telematics, agencies can gain enhanced visibility into vehicles and assets, including operating status and location of vehicles and equipment. This data enables a proactive approach to maintenance that reduces downtime and minimizes unnecessary repair costs. 

For example, Monroe County, Florida, utilizes a network of generators to provide emergency power in the Florida Keys, an area that frequently experiences severe weather. Trucks servicing these generators and providing other support must travel a narrow 120-mile, two-lane highway. Any breakdown not only impacts that vehicle and the driver’s ability to do their job, but can back up other traffic for miles. 

The county uses vehicle telematics to monitor fleet health in real time. If a large truck breaks down, towing alone can cost $1,700. With Samsara data, operations staff receive immediate alerts when a check engine light turns on, allowing them to proactively call the vehicle in for service before it fails—potentially saving thousands of dollars in repair costs and preventing traffic and safety incidents. 

The City of Memphis serves its 600,000+ citizens through the careful coordination of 17 departments and 560 vehicles. To ensure the highest levels of service and efficiency, the city uses real-time GPS data to pinpoint vehicle locations and provide immediate support to employees. This enables them to dispatch the closest, best-equipped team for service calls, minimizing downtime and improving service response times.

2. Claims and insurance savings

Investigating claims of poor service and providing needed documentation to file insurance claims takes significant time and administrative resources. Lawyer and court costs, as well as eventual payouts, result in hard dollars being added to expenses every year. 

Many agencies use dash cams to quickly resolve service disputes and protect against false claims. For example, if a citizen reports damaged property due to a garbage truck, public works teams can pull up video data to confirm incident-free service delivery, mitigating claims while improving transparency and trust.

In another example, the City of Memphis added dash cams to their vehicles to monitor driver behavior with a goal of reducing distracted driving and resulting incidents. The data captured has also helped the city quickly resolve incidents that do happen. The agency used dash cam footage to prove an employee was driving below the speed limit when a bicyclist failed to yield, avoiding a citation and costly insurance payouts as a result. Additionally, they avoided filing claims when GPS data from a Samsara Asset Tag helped them track and recover two stolen mowers, resulting in the recovery of $40,000+ in assets.

Beyond customer service, dash cams also drive significant cost savings. According to a recent report, 76% of organizations say they have saved $500k+ by using technology designed to improve worker safety and security.

3. Improved safety and accident reduction

Improved safety benefits employees, citizens, and agency bottom lines. According to another recent report, safety is the top benefit organizations are realizing from AI. AI-powered dash cams and telematics capture risky behavior in real-time, enabling immediate intervention and coaching to prevent accidents before they happen. 

The City of Boynton Beach, for example, began utilizing vehicle telematics to better track their fleet for improved service efficiency. The implementation of dash cams also resulted in significant improvements in driver safety, including: 

• 17% reduction in speeding

• 12% reduction in harsh braking

• 19% reduction in distracted driving

• 10% reduction in policy violations

• 58% reduction in overall measurable driver risk factors compared to government organizations of similar size

These improvements translate into substantial cost avoidance, reducing expenses related to traffic violations, vehicle damage, and employee healthcare claims. 

Ready to maximize cost saving through digitalization? 

These three strategies are just the beginning. With technology like dash cams and real-time telematics, government agencies can improve efficiency, enhance safety, and reduce unnecessary expenses. For more insights on how digital solutions can help your agency save money and improve operations, check out Samsara’s Public Sector State of Connected Operations Report.