Driving Sustainability to the Caribbean

Each year from June to December, the Caribbean gets ready for hurricane season, a period marked by extreme weather events like cyclones, heat waves and landslides. In 2022, the UN Secretary General described the Caribbean as "ground zero" for the climate emergency^[1]. Hurricane Dorian in September 2019, for example, inflicted over $7 billion in structural damage^[2]. Unfortunately, the effects of climate change are escalating, and the UN estimated that by 2050, annual losses in the region are projected to reach $22 billion^[1].

To add on, the Caribbean island's economy heavily relies on tourism—a sector that contributed $85 billion to the region's GDP in 2023^[3]. In fact, Aruba had the second largest share of GDP from tourism in 2022^[4]. However, poor road conditions are worsened by environmental stressors which deter visitors, thus worsening already strained national budgets. Many Caribbean nations have historically prioritized short-term economic gains over sustainable infrastructure development, leaving roads ill-equipped to withstand climate impact^[5]. Current mitigation strategies have proven insufficient in addressing these challenges. Things need to change, and sustainability may just be the solution.

Benefits of sustainable road management

Traditional road assessment tools like LCMS and LIDAR often come with challenges such as high costs causing surveys to be conducted only once every few years, and traffic disruption as this technology requires specialized equipment that blocks traffic during surveys. Additionally, infrequent use of LCMS and LIDAR limits early intervention, leading to expensive repairs. Investing in better-maintained roads will be the first step towards sustainability. According to research, preventive maintenance can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cut transportation costs and lower vehicle repair and maintenance costs^[6]. iris operates at a fraction of the cost of LCMS or LIDAR while maintaining 85%+ accuracy, which provides precision in capital planning. We also provide more frequent road condition surveys without blocking traffic and within budget, repairing a defect early in its onset compared to major roadworks every few years. This in turn allows municipalities to allocate funds more effectively while improving resident safety.

Aruba's success story

Aruba's Department of Works (DOW) faced difficulties in managing road conditions under limited budgets. Traditional tools were costly, leaving roads vulnerable to damage. With iris, the DOW transitioned from siloed processes to a unified, A.I.-enabled inspection system. Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes commented on the use of iris: "DOW's efforts with iris reflect a creative step forward for Aruba's well-being." Read more on how DOW launched the irisGO program here. Economically, better roads mean fewer delays, reducing repair costs and less downtime. With iris, road management becomes a pathway to sustainability.