NYC Smart City Testbed

Automated Building Façade Inspections

Image of the Jackie Robinson Recreational Center in the Bronx

The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) manages more than 30,000 acres of land—about 14 percent of New York City—including over 5,000 diverse properties, from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. Because maintenance needs are wide-ranging and inspections are not always frequent, small façade and roof issues can go unnoticed and gradually worsen, ultimately increasing repair costs. DPR is interested in exploring technologies that could support more regular, cost-effective inspections to help identify and address minor issues early, before they develop into larger problems.

Opportunity: T2D2, a New York City–based computer vision software company, applies its technology to review building images and create condition assessment reports. These reports can provide helpful insights for facilities management by highlighting potential concerns early and supporting thoughtful, proactive maintenance planning.

Methodology: The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) Robotics Unit generously used their drone to capture a series of geotagged images of the Jackie Robinson Recreational Center, a facility owned and managed by DPR, over the course of two hours.

Image of an FDNY employee flying a drone at the Jackie Robinson Recreational Center
Image of the drone used to capture geotagged images for this building facade pilot

The geotagged aerial drone images were shared with T2D2, along with geotagged photos taken on an iPhone to capture areas beneath tree coverage that the drone could not access. T2D2 processed all images through their AI software to generate insights related to the building’s condition, helping to provide a more complete understanding of potential maintenance needs.

Brick Masonry

  • Crack
  • Spall
  • Efflorescence
  • Displacement

Concrete

  • Crack
  • Spall

Metal

  • Corrosion

Roof Membrane

  • Discoloration
This image is a drawing that has been created by T2D2 after the geotagged images were processed
This image is an orthomosaic that has been created by T2D2 after the geotagged images were processed
  • Pink = Possible efflorescence
  • Yellow = Possible cracking
Image of the top of the roof and street from the view of the drone

Location: Jackie Robinson Recreational Center

Signage: No physical signage was posted since the aerial data collection lasted less than two hours; however, staff were on site and available to answer any questions from the public during the data capture period.

Project Timeframe: March 2024 – August 2025

Stakeholders
Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR)
Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI)
Fire Department of New York (FDNY)
T2D2
Project Category
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Computer Vision
Facade Inspections